Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-31

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)

In the past, people used to visit cinemas and theatres with their friends and family to watch the newly released films but with the advancement in technology, world witnessed a marked decline in this trend. Today, every newly released film or show can be watched online, which in my opinion is convenient.

In the past, people used to eagerly wait for the release of films and would excitedly make plans to visit the cinema. The shows were especially released during holidays or festivals such as christmas, eid, basant or summer holidays as those happy days were a attraction for viewers. Even small business owners used to make huge sales due to this tradition as they used to arrange their eatables stall in the premises of the cinema or outside and would gather the attention of visitors. The cinema tickets were also economical in the past. Theatres and cinema halls still exist today but the cost of its tickets are not affordable for every socioeconomic class in big cities due to inflation.

Nowadays, people have the whole world on their fingertips and can access any movie or tv show with a single click on their smart phones or laptops. The newly launched international apps like netflix are the main reason for this change. Even free alternatives are available for the middle or lower economic class, which is the basic reason of their preferance towards online mode of entertainment. I also prefer to make movie plans with my cousins on weekends and we conveniently watch any tv show in the premises and comfort of our home, without having to worry about the time of the day and our commute.

Overall, the convenience provided by the online mode of entertainment cannot be denied and the financial loss suffered by the cinema or theatre owners can be compensated if they strategically shift towards investing on these online applications and gather the attention of subscribers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a clear preference for online entertainment, especially when you describe watching shows at home with your cousins, and you include relevant points about convenience, affordability and the effect on small businesses. However, the task asks you to discuss both views, including the cultural and economic importance of theatres and cinemas. The response mainly explains why audiences have moved online and mentions cinema-related sales in the past; it does not develop the continuing cultural value of shared viewing or the current economic contribution of venues. Your final suggestion that venues invest in online applications also needs explanation. Develop each side more evenly and state directly whether you believe cinemas remain important despite online alternatives.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph about past cinema-going, a paragraph on online viewing, and a concluding opinion. Time markers such as “In the past” and “Nowadays” help readers follow the contrast. However, the progression is not fully logical for the question: the first body paragraph focuses on historical habits and ticket prices rather than clearly presenting the case for cinemas’ continuing importance. The conclusion introduces a new proposal about investing in online applications without showing how it follows from the earlier discussion. Use topic sentences that signal each side of the debate, and connect examples explicitly to the main claim.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “newly released films,” “socioeconomic class,” “inflation,” and “online mode of entertainment.” These choices help communicate the main ideas, and the meaning remains clear despite some imprecise or awkward expressions. For example, “the whole world on their fingertips” is not the natural idiom, while “gather the attention of subscribers” and “financial loss suffered” are not the most precise collocations in context. There are also spelling and capitalisation slips, such as “preferance,” “christmas,” and “netflix.” Aim for more natural collocations and accurate spelling, particularly when discussing cultural significance and the economic role of venues.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including a time clause in “when they strategically shift” and a relative clause in “which is the basic reason.” Most sentences communicate their meaning, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “the cost of its tickets are” has a subject–verb agreement problem, and “a attraction” needs the correct article. In “as those happy days were a attraction for viewers,” the sentence structure is also awkward. Several long sentences combine multiple ideas, which makes control less secure. Check agreement, articles and sentence boundaries, and consider splitting longer sentences so that each claim and its supporting detail are expressed clearly.

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