Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-03

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 7.0)

It is often argued that in this modern time, people are now losing interest in cinemas and theatres since any kind of entertainment show can now be obtained online while others contend that they are still an essential part of economy and culture. In my opinion, I think the relevance of these live and screen performance venues plays a much bigger role to the society.

Some people prefer watching entertainment shows online rather than going to the cinemas and theatres mainly because of affordability and convenience streaming platforms offer. Usually, the average price of a single ticket in cinemas is almost similar to a monthly subscription from a digital online application and one could already watch a wide variety of shows, from documentaries to movies without the need to travel. Moreover, these online apps, such as Netflix, HBO, and the likes, can be accessed on different devices so anyone can use them wherever and whenever they want. For example, families stay at home during movie nights while having barbeque parties. This does not only save costs but efforts as well.

On another note, cinemas and theatre are one of the main sources of economic growth and cultural promotion. Tickets help the economy through direct revenue, cinemas and theatres create jobs, and nearby businesses such as malls and popcorn snacks sellers rely heavily on them. Furthermore, these performing arts centers provide storytelling which allows audiences to experience stepping into the lives of people from different backgrounds and breaking stereotypes, something one cannot experience by just watching at home. For instance, there are schools that requires students to watch plays about the history of their home country.

In conclusion, while I acknowledge that it is cheaper and a lot more convenient to consume entertainment on the internet, I firmly believe that it is still important to support theatres and cinemas as they help boost the economy and keep culture alive.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You address both views and maintain a clear position: online entertainment is convenient, but venues remain important for economic and cultural reasons. The two body paragraphs give relevant support, including subscription costs, employment and the example of students watching historical plays. This fits a response that covers the task and extends its main ideas. To make the discussion more fully developed, explain the examples’ implications in greater depth: for instance, clarify how attending a play creates a distinct cultural experience beyond learning history. The claim that venues play a “much bigger role” is also broad; specify the comparison or qualify it so the strength of your position is more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay is clearly organised into an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion that restates your position. The progression is easy to follow, and signposts such as “Moreover,” “On another note,” and “In conclusion” help distinguish and connect the points. Within paragraphs, you generally move from a claim to explanation and an example. To make cohesion more polished, use references that connect ideas more precisely and avoid relying mainly on explicit transitions. For example, the shift from online convenience to the family example could be linked more directly to the point about flexibility. The phrase “This does not only save costs but efforts as well” also has an unclear reference, so name what “This” refers to.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range for the topic, including relevant terms such as “affordability,” “subscription,” “direct revenue,” “cultural promotion,” and “breaking stereotypes.” These choices help communicate both economic and cultural arguments. There are also attempts at more specific phrasing, though some combinations are unnatural or imprecise: “this modern time,” “entertainment show,” “a monthly subscription from a digital online application,” and “popcorn snacks sellers.” “Live and screen performance venues” is also an awkward description of cinemas and theatres. These choices do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision and naturalness. Aim for established collocations and avoid redundant wording, such as “digital online,” so your vocabulary can express the ideas more fluently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including a contrast clause in the introduction and longer sentences explaining convenience and cultural value. Most meaning remains clear, but some grammatical errors persist. For example, “cinemas and theatre are one” has a number-agreement problem, and “there are schools that requires students” should use a plural verb. In “This does not only save costs but efforts as well,” the paired construction is not formed accurately. Articles and number also need attention in phrases such as “part of economy and culture.” Review agreement, article use, and parallel structures, then proofread longer sentences for accuracy. Greater control of these patterns would make the varied sentence forms more consistently effective.

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