Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-12

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that in the digital age, theatres and cinemas are no longer important as people can watch all the entertainment they want online. Others argue that theatres and cinemas are still important both economically and culturally.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Many believe that theatres and cinemas have lost their significance in the current technological world, while others are convinced that they are useful to preserve one's culture and for the country's economy as a whole. In my opinion, theatres and cinemas are still very relevant and serve an important role in the country's entertainment, business and cultural sectors.

Technological development has confined the entire entertainment industry into individual devices and most of it is available in economical rates or even for free. Many people are inclined towards this mode of enjoyment, since it can be done at the comfort of one's home and is often cheaper. It also offers more variety and the freedom of choice, while in cinemas and theaters you have a limited shows to choose from, at a particular time. For instance, I wanted to watch a recently released movie 'The Odyssey' at the cinema, but unfortunately it was only available during the weekdays and during working hours. Therefore, I ended up watching it on my laptop during the weekend at my own feasibility.

On the other hand, theatres and cinemas are significantly important in the wider aspect of the country's economy and culture. Plenty of local organizations, actors and a percentage of the country's economy are financially dependent on these sources of entertainment. For some people, the number of sold tickets can increase or decrease their paycheck. Moreover, these entertainment sources promote the region's culture and can serve as a reminder of the country's roots. For instance, this year's Independence day celebrations had some special shows specifically for the cinemas, and a heartwarming theatre performance which was not aired. For these reasons, I believe cinemas and theatres have their own designated position, even in this digital world.

In conclusion, the technological world is trying to replace cinemas and theatres as a source of entertainment, and has its own benefits but they cannot be entirely replaced due to their cultural and economical value.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You discuss both perspectives and state a consistent view: cinemas and theatres remain relevant for entertainment, economic activity and culture. The first body paragraph explains the convenience, affordability and choice offered by online viewing, while the second gives relevant reasons for retaining physical venues. The examples about scheduling a film and Independence Day performances help make the discussion concrete. However, some support is asserted rather than fully explained: for example, the link between ticket sales and workers’ pay is mentioned without showing how this demonstrates wider economic importance. The cultural point could also be developed with a clearer explanation of how live performances preserve or transmit traditions. More balanced development of these ideas would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay has a clear overall structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion that restates your position. The progression from online convenience to the economic and cultural value of venues is easy to follow, and signposts such as “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” guide the reader. This is a coherent arrangement, though some linking is rather formulaic, and the final paragraph largely repeats the introduction rather than drawing the discussion together. Within paragraphs, make the relationship between claims and examples more explicit—for instance, explain directly how the Independence Day shows illustrate cultural value. Clearer referencing and more varied transitions would make the flow more consistently smooth.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range for the topic, including phrases such as “technological development,” “freedom of choice,” “financially dependent” and “cultural value.” These allow you to discuss both practical and broader effects, and the meaning remains clear. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “available in economical rates,” “at my own feasibility,” and “a limited shows.” “Entertainment sources” is also vague when referring to theatres and cinemas. These slips keep the vocabulary from sounding consistently precise, despite some effective topic-related language. Aim to learn common word partnerships and choose specific terms—for example, distinguish between venues, performances and the entertainment industry.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including a contrast clause (“while others are convinced…”) and a reason clause (“since it can be done…”). Most sentences communicate their meaning clearly, and the paragraphing supports the argument. Some grammatical errors remain, including the article and plural construction in “a limited shows,” the agreement problem in “it was only available” after referring to a movie, and the awkward structure “at the comfort of one’s home.” The final sentence also joins contrasting ideas with a comma, where a conjunction or full stop would be clearer. Review articles, agreement and sentence boundaries, and proofread longer sentences to improve accuracy while retaining your range of structures.

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