Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

Digital technology has changed the way people access the entertainment nowadays. Some people argue that the online mode of entertainment should replace the trend of visiting theatres and cinemas while others believe that they are still an integral part of economy and culture. In my essay, I will discuss both viewpoints before giving my opinion that why I believe cinemas and theatres are irreplaceable economically and culturally.

With the advancement in technology, people have become more inclined towards online streaming as it is convenient and saves time and money. Viewers do not have to worry about the commute to the cinemas or theatres or do not have to buy the tickets in advance. It is a viable alternative as people can enjoy their favourite show in the comfort of their home and get varied options according to their interests.

On the other hand, the sound system and the big screens in cinema halls creates an immersive environment and experience compared to online streaming. I witnessed this when I watched Interstellar in cinema before rewatching it on netflix in my room and both experiences are poles apart. Theatres play an integral part in promoting culture with live performances on every festival. Theatres are also a source of live interaction between the artists and viewers. They contribute towards a part of economy as a source of income for actors, artists or even technicians.

In my opinion, government should take initiatives to promote the culture of visiting theatres and cinemas alongwith technological advancements. It can be a way to introduce our culture and heritage to the new generation. Schools and colleges should arrange field trips to theatres atleast once every term so the youth can witness the live performances of our artists which will increase their morale. In this way, theatres and cinemas will continue acting as a source of income for the local actors and other people working over there without striving for their basic necessities.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.0
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both views and state a clear opinion: online entertainment is convenient, while cinemas and theatres remain economically and culturally valuable. The Interstellar example supports the case for cinema, and your suggestions about schools and government show how these venues might be sustained. This meets the task well, but the two sides are not developed equally. The benefits of online viewing are explained mainly through convenience, cost and choice, while the economic and cultural claims about venues would benefit from more specific explanation or evidence. For example, explain how venues support local employment or preserve particular cultural traditions. Your position is clear, though the introduction’s phrase “why I believe” is awkward; a more direct thesis would strengthen the response further.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction, a paragraph for each viewpoint, and a concluding paragraph that gives your position and recommendations. Ideas generally progress logically, and transitions such as “On the other hand” and “In my opinion” help readers follow the argument. The organisation is effective, but some connections are mechanical or unclear. In the final paragraph, “In this way” refers broadly to the preceding recommendations, and the link between school visits and providing income for workers could be made more explicit. The second body paragraph also moves from cinema technology to cultural performances and then employment without fully signalling how these points relate. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each supporting point directly to the paragraph’s main claim.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range for the topic, including phrases such as “online streaming,” “immersive environment,” “live interaction,” and “integral part.” These help communicate the main ideas, and the personal example is expressed clearly. However, some word choices and collocations are imprecise or awkward, which limits the naturalness of the writing: “online mode of entertainment,” “a part of economy,” and “working over there” are examples. There are also inconsistent forms such as “alongwith” and “atleast,” and “netflix” should be capitalised as a proper name. Aim for more precise, natural combinations and check spelling and capitalisation. The meaning remains clear, but greater control would make the argument sound more fluent and academic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses such as “as it is convenient and saves time and money” and “so the youth can witness the live performances.” Most sentences are understandable, and errors rarely obstruct the message. Some grammatical inaccuracies remain, however. In “the sound system and the big screens … creates,” the plural subject requires “create.” The opening sentence would read more naturally as “the way people access entertainment,” without “the.” In “do not have to worry … or do not have to buy,” the repeated negative structure is awkward; parallel phrasing would improve it. The final sentence also has a long structure that makes its relationships harder to follow. Review subject–verb agreement, articles, and sentence boundaries while retaining your range of clauses.

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