Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-29

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)

There is an ongoing debate about whether theatres and cinemas are no longer important as people can watch all the entertainment they want online.

One key reason for this is that its not the only entertainment nowadays. This is primarily because new generation is growing in a more tech era than compared to those where theatres and cinemas hold a significant place in society and was the only enjoyment. Furthermore, it saves time and money as well for example commuting time to cinema, paying for the movie tickets with popcorns and drinks comes adds upto a heavy amount.

On the other hand, opponents claim that theatres and cinemas are still important both economically and culturally. This can be attributed to the fact that its an experience one should always have in their life. Additionally, it helps in improving country's financial system and awareness on various topics. For instance, more cinemas means more jobs, tax revenues and local business spillovers. Moreover, movies based on real life scenarios provides knowledge and mindfulness to people.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify both sides of the debate: online entertainment is presented as convenient and cheaper, while cinemas are linked to employment, tax revenue and cultural value. However, the response is very brief and does not fully discuss either view; the claim that online viewing is “not the only entertainment” is unclear, and the cultural argument is only briefly asserted. Your own opinion is also not stated clearly, despite the task asking you to give it. The response contains 144 words, so it is 106 words below the 250-word minimum; 28 words copied from the task prompt were not counted. Develop each side with specific explanation or examples, and state your position directly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic, recognisable structure: an opening, a paragraph supporting online viewing, and a contrasting paragraph about cinemas. Phrases such as “Furthermore,” “On the other hand,” and “For instance” help signal relationships between points. However, the progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear. For example, “One key reason for this” does not clearly identify the preceding claim, and the link between cinemas and “awareness on various topics” needs explanation. The conclusion is absent, so the discussion ends without bringing the ideas together or confirming your view. Use clearer topic sentences, connect each example explicitly to its main point, and add a concluding paragraph.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “financial system,” “tax revenues,” “local business spillovers,” and “real life scenarios.” These choices show an attempt to discuss economic and cultural effects rather than relying only on basic terms. However, several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “new generation,” “more tech era,” “only enjoyment,” and “heavy amount.” “Awareness on various topics” is also vague, and “popcorns” is not the natural form in this context. Aim for more accurate collocations and specific wording—for example, describe how cinemas support local employment or provide a shared cultural experience. This would make your ideas clearer and your vocabulary more controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex sentence forms, including “This is primarily because…” and “For instance, more cinemas means…,” and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, errors in sentence construction and agreement are frequent enough to affect clarity. In “new generation is growing,” a determiner is needed; “than compared to those where” is an awkward and faulty comparison; and “more cinemas means” has a subject–verb agreement error. The sentence beginning “Furthermore, it saves time and money” also becomes difficult to follow because several examples are joined without clear grammatical structure. Practise accurate comparisons, agreement, and sentence boundaries, then check each sentence for a clear subject and verb.

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