Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-15
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 4.0)
To some extent, some people believe that theatres and cinemas could be adjusted only in the digital era. While others argue that cinema and theatre have an important role in the economic and cultural development of a country.
On the one hand, the digital era made entertainment, easier to access and more practical.
On the other hand, both cinema and theatres contribute to a big part of economic and cultural development in society and cannot be changed by digital media.
To conclude, the entertainment shouldn’t be forgotten by society; government should create plans and funds to gain more traction.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0
You identify both perspectives in broad terms: online entertainment is described as “easier to access and more practical,” while cinemas and theatres are said to contribute to economic and cultural development. However, the response does not explain either view with reasons or examples, and the phrase “could be adjusted only in the digital era” does not clearly express the first side of the debate. Your own opinion is also not stated clearly; the conclusion calls for government plans and funds but does not say whether you believe venues remain important. The response is substantially below the required 250 words, which leaves the task only minimally addressed. Develop each view with a specific explanation and example, then state and support your position.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5
The response has a basic overall shape: an opening, two contrasting points introduced by “On the one hand” and “On the other hand,” and a concluding sentence. These signposts help readers recognise the intended structure. However, the paragraphs are extremely brief, and the ideas do not progress beyond general statements. The opening’s “While others argue” is a fragment rather than a complete sentence, and the conclusion introduces government funding without linking it clearly to the preceding points. Build separate, developed paragraphs for online access and the continuing value of venues, using clear links between each claim and its explanation. A fuller conclusion should directly reflect the position established in the essay.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.5
You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “digital era,” “entertainment,” “economic and cultural development,” and “digital media.” This shows that you can communicate the general subject. However, the range is narrow and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, which makes the argument less clear: “adjusted only in the digital era” does not convey the intended idea, and “contribute to a big part of” is an awkward collocation. “Gain more traction” is also vague in the context of government support. Aim for precise phrases that describe online access, the economic contribution of venues, and their cultural role. Repeating key terms is understandable, but using accurate alternatives would make the discussion more flexible.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
Most of your sentences communicate a basic meaning, and you attempt a contrast between viewpoints. However, the range is limited, with mainly short, simple statements and little accurate development of complex structures. The opening contains a sentence fragment: “While others argue that cinema and theatre have an important role…” needs to be joined to a main clause. In “the digital era made entertainment, easier to access,” the comma incorrectly separates the object from its complement. The conclusion also shifts from “the entertainment” to “government should” without clear article use. Practise joining contrasting clauses into complete sentences and check punctuation, articles, and sentence boundaries. More varied, controlled sentence structures would help you explain and support your ideas.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.