Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-11
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
All university undergraduate courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement.
Do you think the advantages of this would outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 5.0)
Many individuals believe that in the modern era, theatres and cinemas are no longer crucial because people can get everything online according to their preferences, whereas others believe that theatres and cinemas still hold importance both economically and culturally. In today's world, people can get entertainment online and do not need to visit these places. However, some people oppose this idea because they believe that these places hold cultural importance. I agree with the latter view because I believe that these places play a vital role in the economy of a country.
In this age of technology, everyone can find almost anything online and everything is just a click away. People do not need to buy a ticket and go to cinemas and theatres to watch a show. It is much more convenient to watch entertainment online. For instance, when The Odyssey was released, its ticket cost 2500 rupees per person, but I watched it online for free.
On the other hand, theatres and cinemas are built mainly for entertainment purposes, and their interiors can be quite fascinating. The experience of visiting these places can leave a lasting impression on people. Apart from that, these places attract tourists and provide opportunities for local performers to earn a living. For example, the play Laila Majnu is very famous in my country, and people visit theatres specifically to watch it.
I prefer the second argument because I believe that theatres and cinemas reshape the cultural and economic structure of a country. In conclusion, although digital technology has made access to entertainment much easier, theatres and cinemas still hold their value today. People should continue to visit these places and enjoy their unique experiences.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.0
The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks for an opinion on whether university undergraduate courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement. However, your essay discusses the relevance of theatres and cinemas in the modern era. Because you have failed to address the actual task prompt, the response cannot be assessed for task achievement in relation to the specific question asked. You must ensure you read the prompt carefully before beginning your writing to ensure your ideas are relevant to the specific topic provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is well-structured in terms of paragraphing, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The use of cohesive devices such as 'In this age of technology', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' helps to guide the reader through the argument. However, because the content is entirely unrelated to the prompt, the logical progression of ideas is irrelevant to the task. Within the context of the essay itself, the flow is logical and easy to follow, but it fails to meet the requirements of an IELTS academic task.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a reasonable range of vocabulary, such as 'fascinating', 'cultural importance', and 'economic structure'. The language is generally natural and appropriate for an essay format. There are no significant spelling errors, and the vocabulary used is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly. To reach a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and less common lexical items that are relevant to the specific topic of the prompt.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
Your grammar is generally accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conjunctions and relative clauses effectively, such as 'although digital technology has made access to entertainment much easier'. There are very few grammatical errors, and your punctuation is consistent. The control of grammar is a strength, as your sentences are clear and easy to read. To improve, try to vary your sentence length and structure further to demonstrate greater flexibility.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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