Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-14

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)

Cinemas have transformed into one of the most popular forms of entertainment around the world. Rapid technological advancements such as the introduction of digital streaming services like Neflix, Amazon Prime etc have aided cinemas to further sement their place at the top. Some individuals contend that the flexibility and ease of access that these online platforms provide render the age old tradition of visiting theatres meaningless. While there is some merit to their stance, in my opinion these establishments are still a major contributing factor to a movies success and spectator's emjoyment, while also providing immense value to both the economic and cultural aspects.

Most of the public that are in unison with the stance that movie theatres no longer serve any valuable purpose, refer to the extreme comfort and ease of access that digital platforms provide. They argue that since such platforms has made it possible to watch any movies or series whenever they want, with whichever person they wish to watch it with and at any location of their choice; movie theatres which are far more restrictive in nature will never be able to compete against this form of media consumption. Additionally digital platforms provide a safe haven for certain groups of individiuals who dislike noisy crowds. For instance, many individuals who are introverted prefer to watch movies alone or with close friends at a cozy environment and these platforms provide the perfect solution for them.

However, watching a movie in theatres has its fair share of benefits which cannot be underestimated. For once not all blockbusters appear at streaming sites initially, they all first come out in theatres so individuals who have been eagerly waiting for a specific movie has to visit the theatre if they cannot hold back their excitement. This practice of placing a high priority on theatres is carried out for a reason, namely the producers forecast the economical value that a screening always brings to the table. For instance, one of the most widely accepted ways of measuring a movie's success is its box office earnings, thus highlighting the relevance that movie theares hold. Furthermore, the whole adventure of visiting the theatre with friends, enjoying a film in high quality, sharing popcorns, sharing the ups and downs with the other people in the room has become a cultural practice. So many individuals still choose to go to theatres to watch a movie even if said movie is slated for release in digital platforms in the same day as its screening.

In conclusion, while digital platforms has made it much easier for us to consume various forms of media, it is still far way from completely replacing movie theatres for the economical and cultural values these establishments hold can never be understated.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You address both views and state a clear position: online platforms offer convenience, but cinemas remain important for economic and cultural reasons. The discussion is relevant and supported with examples, including people who prefer watching at home and the role of box-office earnings. Your point about cinemas as a shared social experience also helps explain their cultural value. This is a well-focused response, though some claims are broader than their support—for example, that films “all first come out in theatres” and that box-office earnings are a widely accepted measure of success. Develop these points with qualification or a more specific example, and explain more directly how cinema contributes economically beyond ticket sales, to make the argument more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear overall progression: an introduction presents the debate and your view, the second paragraph explains the case for online viewing, the third develops the case for cinemas, and the conclusion restates your position. Linking expressions such as “Additionally,” “However,” and “Furthermore” help readers follow the argument, and the examples are generally placed where they support the relevant point. At times, however, the connections feel somewhat formulaic, and some sentences carry several ideas at once, particularly the long sentence beginning “They argue that since such platforms…”. Break up or reshape such sentences and use clearer referencing where needed. This would make the progression more fluent and the relationships between claims and examples easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of vocabulary and show some flexibility with phrases such as “ease of access,” “cultural practice,” “box office earnings,” and “eagerly waiting.” These choices help you discuss both convenience and the wider significance of cinemas. There are also attempts at less common or formal wording, but some are inaccurate or unnatural: “sement their place,” “economical value,” and “for once” do not express the intended meanings naturally. Spelling slips such as “Neflix,” “emjoyment,” and “theares” also reduce precision. To move beyond adequate range, choose collocations carefully and proofread spelling; prefer straightforward, accurate phrasing over formal-sounding expressions that do not fit the context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses and contrast structures, as in “While there is some merit to their stance…” and “even if said movie is slated…”. Meaning remains clear overall, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “such platforms has made” should have plural agreement, and “a specific movie has to visit” needs a person as its subject. The sentence beginning “They argue that since…” also has an awkwardly managed series of clauses, while “digital platforms has made” appears again in the conclusion. Review subject–verb agreement, clause construction, and punctuation in long sentences. More consistent control of these forms would make the complex structures easier to read.

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