Some people say that now we can see films on our phones or tablets, and there is no need to go to the cinema. Others say that to be fully enjoyed, films need to be seen in a cinema. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Sample Response
In this era of technology, people can watch films on their hand-held digital devices like tablets and smartphones. While some argue that there is no longer a need to visit the cinema because of the convenience of digital devices, others contend that the experience of watching films in a cinema hall is unmatched. I believe that hand-held digital devices provide such a great experience that going to the cinema is not required, and that is why the trend of visiting cinemas is declining.
Those who claim that the experience of watching films in a cinema cannot be matched point out that the cinema offers a unique and immersive experience that cannot be replicated on a small digital screen. The cinema provides a large screen, high-quality sound, and a darkened environment that enhances the experience of watching a film. Moreover, the cinema provides a social experience that cannot be replicated when watching a film alone on a hand-held digital device.
On the contrary, those who argue that there is no need to go to the cinema, claim that smartphones, laptops and tablets provide many benefits, such as convenience, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness when it comes to enjoying movies or videos. With a simple tap or swipe, people can easily access a vast collection of films and watch them at any time and at any place. Moreover, watching films on a hand-held digital device is often more cost-effective than going to the cinema, especially considering the high cost of cinema tickets and snacks. For instance, a single cinema ticket is often equal to the monthly subscription fee of an online movie-watching platform.
I strongly believe that the comfort, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness of hand-held digital devices provide a superior experience. Therefore, it is not necessary to go to the cinema, and that is why the trend of visiting cinemas is declining.
In conclusion, cinema theatres may offer a unique social experience, but watching a film on a hand-held digital device will be more common in the coming future making theatres less prevalent in our life.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Avoid redundant hall Original: cinema hall Suggested revision: cinema Why it matters: Cinema already denotes the place where films are shown, so hall is redundant.
- 2. Specify viewing benefit Original: such a great experience Suggested revision: such a convenient viewing experience Why it matters: The revised phrase identifies the convenience that supports the stated preference.
- 3. Use contrast connector Original: On the contrary Suggested revision: By contrast Why it matters: The paragraph presents an alternative viewpoint rather than contradicting a fact.
- 4. Remove unnecessary comma Original: cinema, claim Suggested revision: cinema claim Why it matters: No comma should separate the subject clause from its verb claim.
- 5. Keep film terminology Original: movies or videos Suggested revision: films Why it matters: Films matches the task and avoids broadening the discussion to unrelated videos.
- 6. Use place preposition Original: at Suggested revision: in Why it matters: In is the natural preposition when referring generally to a place.
- 7. Use cost comparison Original: a single cinema ticket is often equal to the monthly subscription fee Suggested revision: a single cinema ticket often costs as much as a monthly subscription Why it matters: Costs as much as expresses a price comparison more naturally than is equal to.
- 8. Avoid cinema redundancy Original: cinema theatres Suggested revision: cinemas Why it matters: Cinema and theatre overlap in meaning here, so one term is sufficient.
- 9. Fix future phrase Original: in the coming future making Suggested revision: in the future, making Why it matters: Coming is redundant with future, and a comma is needed before the result participle.
- 10. Use plural lives Original: life Suggested revision: lives Why it matters: Our refers to multiple people, so the distributive noun should be plural.
Suggested Rewrites
- cinema hall cinema
- such a great experience such a convenient viewing experience
- On the contrary By contrast
- cinema, claim cinema claim
- movies or videos films
- at in
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response discusses both perspectives clearly and sustains a preference for watching films on personal devices through convenience, flexibility, and cost. Its strongest feature is the direct comparison of cinema benefits with a concrete subscription-price example, although the argument sometimes equates practicality with a superior viewing experience and repeats its position. The priority is to distinguish enjoyment from convenience and explain why device-based viewing remains preferable despite the cinema's sensory advantages.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views are well covered and the opinion is consistent, but the reasons for preferring devices focus more on convenience than on the question of full enjoyment.
Explain how comfort, control, or content choice improves enjoyment itself, directly countering the cinema's screen, sound, and social advantages.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response is logically organised with distinct sections for both views and the opinion, though the separate opinion paragraph largely repeats the introduction.
Merge the repeated opinion into the conclusion or use that paragraph to rebut the strongest cinema argument with new reasoning.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and precise for technology, cinema experience, and cost, with some noticeable repetition of central phrases.
Use controlled alternatives such as 'personal screens', 'home viewing', and 'theatrical experience' to reduce repetition without losing precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A broad range of complex structures is generally accurate, with occasional punctuation, modifier, and phrasing lapses that do not impede communication.
Review commas around reporting clauses and add clear punctuation before participial phrases in long concluding sentences.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people say that now we can see films on our phones or tablets, and there is no need to go to the cinema. Others say that to be fully enjoyed, films need to be seen in a cinema. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.