Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-30

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 5.5)

Many people believes that in this digital timeframe they can watch movies online as theatres and cinemas are not much needed while other believes that theatres and cinemas are much essential by economic and cultural means. I firmly believe that cinemas and theatres are not much needed for entertainment purpose as movies or series are available online and watch it according to our time schedule.

Firstly, many people do not believe to go to cinema or theatre as they think that everything is available online and they can see whatever they want at home comfortably and without any time schedule. For instance people who do not like to leave homes they can watch it in TV, smartphones or on laptop. They prefer the comfort and their time schedules. Secondly, they also prefer to invite friends or family to watch a movie after dinner and enjoy quality time together as it also happened by the confirmation of the availibility of the friends or family members. For instance, they disccus the parts of movies or laugh together and enjoy quality time.

In contrast, many people like to go and give importance to cinemas and theatre as in their prespective it is essential by economic and cultural means. Now-a days everyone has TV, laptop, smartphones and many more items. back to 80s or 90s this was not a common thing to have these items, so in every culture movies played on the big screens so the people were more connected with each other. Furthermore, it also helps the people by economic means. for instance the workers of the cinema or theatre centers, if cinemas oe theatre will not be in need than the number of unemployemnt will also increase.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that theatre and cinemas are really not much needed as movies can be watched online. We can watch whatever we want without thinking about the availibility of movies.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You present a clear opinion that online entertainment makes cinemas and theatres less necessary, and you include points about home comfort, shared viewing, cultural connection and employment. This gives the response relevant material for both sides. However, the discussion is uneven: the case for online viewing receives two examples, while the economic and cultural importance of venues is asserted more briefly. The cultural point about people being more connected through big screens is not fully explained, and the employment point would be stronger with a specific example of the jobs or local benefits involved. Your conclusion repeats your position but does not weigh the opposing view. Develop each side more fully and explain why your opinion is stronger despite the benefits of venues. This would make the response address the discussion more completely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph supporting online viewing, a contrasting paragraph about venues, and a conclusion. Sequencing words such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” “In contrast,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the main stages. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical, and some links do not clearly show how one idea supports the next. For example, the sentence about inviting friends is followed by an example that largely repeats the idea of enjoying time together. The reference in “as it also happened by the confirmation” is unclear, making the connection difficult to follow. Improve cohesion by using more precise links and pronouns, and ensure each example adds a distinct explanation rather than restating the preceding point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “digital timeframe,” “quality time,” “big screens,” and “unemployment.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations sound unnatural, sometimes making the meaning less clear. Examples include “not much needed,” “essential by economic and cultural means,” and “in their prespective.” There are also spelling errors such as “availibility,” “disccus,” and “unemployemnt,” which reduce accuracy. Aim to use more precise expressions for the task, such as describing venues as “less essential” or discussing their “economic and cultural significance.” Check spelling carefully and learn common collocations as complete phrases, rather than translating ideas word by word.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “as” and “while,” and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, control is inconsistent, and errors in agreement, verb forms, articles and sentence construction occur throughout. For example, “Many people believes” should use a plural verb, while “other believes” also needs a plural form. In “they can see whatever they want at home comfortably and without any time schedule,” the structure is awkward and the relationship between the ideas is not clearly expressed. The sentence beginning “if cinemas oe theatre will not be in need” is also difficult to follow because its conditional structure is faulty. Practise accurate basic sentence patterns first, then build complex sentences with clear clauses and consistent verb forms.

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