Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-19
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 5.0)
Opinions differ as whether theatres and cinemas has lost their importance in the digital age or not. Some people believe that theatres and cinemas are no longer important because people can get entertainment online. While others argue that cinemas are still important both economically and culturally. I argue that people prefer online entertainment over theatres and cinemas.
On the one hand, there are many reasons why people prefer online entertainment. Firstly, it is comfortable to watch favourite shows and movies online at home at almost no cost rather than going to cinema. Secondly, people with busy schedules barely manage time to go to cinema, that's why they choose to watch online. For instance, an individual for sure wants to relax and watch his favourite show online after a long hectic day.
On the other hand, critics argue that theatres and cinemas provide a great outing experience for both friends and family because they can spend time together while watching their favourite show.
Furthermore, people believe that theatres and cinemas are economical which I personally don't believe.
In conclusion, Although theatres and cinemas serve as a meeting point for friends, I believe getting entertainment online at home is much economical and comfortable.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0
You give a clear preference for online entertainment, stating, “I argue that people prefer online entertainment,” and you mention reasons such as convenience, low cost and busy schedules. You also acknowledge the opposing view that cinemas offer a shared outing. However, the task asks you to discuss both views and explain your own opinion, and the economic and cultural importance of theatres and cinemas is barely addressed: “economical” is mentioned but not supported, while cultural value is not explained. Your position is also not fully developed with specific examples or reasoning. The response is 193 words, so it does not meet the 250-word minimum; the eight words copied from the prompt are excluded from the count. Develop both sides and support your opinion with relevant examples.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
Your response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph beginning “On the one hand,” a contrasting paragraph, and a conclusion. Linking phrases such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help signal the sequence of points. However, the progression is limited because the second side is only briefly discussed, and the sentence about cinemas being “economical” is not connected to an explanation or example. The conclusion largely repeats the preference for online entertainment rather than drawing together the discussion. To improve, give each viewpoint a developed paragraph and use clear references and transitions to show how each reason supports your position.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “digital age,” “entertainment,” “busy schedules,” and “outing experience.” Phrases such as “long hectic day” also show an attempt to use more descriptive language. However, the range is somewhat repetitive, particularly with repeated use of “theatres and cinemas,” “online,” and “watch.” Some combinations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “manage time to go to cinema” and “theatres and cinemas are economical,” which makes the intended meaning less clear. Aim for more precise collocations and varied wording, while ensuring that alternatives fit the point you are making. For example, distinguish affordability from the wider economic contribution of cinemas.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You use mostly straightforward sentence patterns and attempt some longer structures, including “because people can get entertainment online” and “because they can spend time together while watching their favourite show.” The main ideas remain understandable, but errors occur in agreement, articles, punctuation and sentence construction. For example, “theatres and cinemas has lost” should use a plural verb, and “go to cinema” needs an article or plural form. The opening “Opinions differ as whether” is also an incomplete or faulty construction; use “Opinions differ as to whether.” The sentence beginning “While others argue” is a fragment as written. Practise combining clauses accurately and checking agreement, articles and sentence boundaries.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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