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.
Write at least 250 words.
3 IELTSbiz learners have answered this Task 2 question and had it marked on the four official criteria; bands ranged from 6 to 6.5, with a median of Band 6.5. Compare the answers below to see exactly what the higher bands did differently.
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These are learner answers, not model answers — including the ones that scored well. Read them for what the criteria reward and punish, not as text to copy. A memorised essay attached to a slightly different question scores worse than an honest attempt, and examiners recognise recited material quickly.
With the rise of online streaming as a method to consume media such as films, people have started to shift away from cinemas since streaming is more practical and convenient. Even so, some have argued that cinemas are crucial both economically and culturally. I personally agree with both views because I mostly stream my movies online due to its convenience. But, I do agree that cinemas are still important.
As stated previously, streaming movies has never been easier nowadays with the rise of digital streaming platforms. Netflix, a widely popular streaming platform provides a variety of different movies and shows to choose from. Users can also consume media from almost anywhere. From their phones, television, and even computers. Additionally, the cherry on top is the business model of streaming platforms. They usually operate on a subscription basis where users pay monthly to access the platform with different tiers that affect the resolution of the movies or shows. In Indonesia, Netflix's lowest tier subscription costs less than a movie theater ticket, which makes people lean more towards streaming than going to a movie theater due to the platform's value.
Although this method of consuming media is relatively convenient, some drawbacks can be seen. First, movie directors usually intend that their films should be played on industry-standard screens. This ensures that color reproduction of the film remains as accurate as possible to the director's vision. Viewing on other kinds of screen may not give a fully accurate representation of what the director has intended. Additionally, cultural aspects play a major role in the movie industry. In India, movie theaters are more than just a place where people go to watch movies. It is a social hub where people get to interact with each other and talk about their movie experiences. Online streaming means that these forms of interactions are eliminated which affects the cultural preservation of films.
The convenience of streaming is very appealing for some. Media can be consumed almost anywhere and at any time desired. On the other hand, movie theaters offer a movie experience that has been intended by movie directors and offers interactivity with other moviegoers. In the end, media consumption through streaming and theaters should be balanced and intentional. When convenience is of the essence, streaming could be the answer for most people. On the other hand, if convenience is not the main priority, people should consider visiting movie theaters as it offers experiences that they cannot get from online streaming.
With the increasing debate of whether theatres and cinemas are as important as before, differing opinions have emerged. Some people argue that theatres and cinemas are declining, while others believe that they still have significant influence on economy and culture. This essay will discuss both views and explain why I believe that theatres and cinemas are still important in modern society.
To begin with, there is no denying that people can use streaming platforms to watch almost all the entertainment, including the latest released movies. Individuals can subscribe to a streaming platform for the price of a movie ticket, and then enjoy thousands of movies. For example, Netflix not only provides classic movies but also produces their exclusive TV series, the diversified range of movies appeals people to subscribe to the platform easily. Therefore, due to the affordable price and convenience of streaming platforms, it's simple to understand why some people consider theatres and cinemas no longer important.
However, in my opinion, theatres and cinemas are irreplaceable. These places allow individuals to enjoy a movie in high quality and without any interference, thus people can fully concentrate on what they are watching. Take myself as an example, watching movies in a theatre is my favorite pastime, the big screen and the high-quality audio always deliver me an incredibly immersive experience. What's more, watching movies in the theatre can help support the film industry well. As a result, theatres and cinemas are still important in modern society.
In conclusion, while both views offer valid points, I believe that theatres and cinemas continue provide more substantial benefits to both people and the movie industry.
Many people nowadays believe that as online platforms that provide services for watching entertainment online gain popularity, theatres and cinemas are getting redundant for the contemporary viewer. In my view, although online platforms have given access to everyone to watch films from their houses, theatres and cinemas provide a collective experience that is unmatched with the former one. On one hand, online platforms have raised the bar in the entertainment industry, by giving access to anyone with a computer and wifi connection to watch films, TV series and even pre-recorded theatre plays. This has been a very important innovation in contemporary society because it answered to a particular market need, which is developing an easy and a cheap way to watch entertainment. For example, Netflix has increased its sales substantially during Covid and continues to do so as many people like how convenient their service is. On the other hand, I maintain that the experience in theatre and cinema venues is unmatched, not only because of the high quality content they provide but also because the environment sets the viewer up for a collective experience. A collective experience is an essential part of almost all cultural events because it brings people together in a site-spefic happening so they can experience it and judge it together with other individuals. For instance, Claire Bishop, a well known art critic, agues that the cultural value of theatres and cinemas is equal to museums because they both bring people together in order for them to interact with each other and develop views upon contemporary subjects. In conclusion, athough online platforms, which let people watch entertainment from their home, have achieved an increadible innovation that many people benefit from, I believe that theatres and cinemas still maintain a stong cultural presence and are very important in contemporary society because they bring people together and provide an open environment for interaction and discussion.
What band do answers to this IELTS question usually get?
Across 3 graded answers on IELTSbiz, bands ranged from 6 to 6.5, with a median of Band 6.5. Each was marked on Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
What separates the Band 6.5 answer from the Band 6 answer?
The largest difference is Lexical Resource: 7 in the Band 6.5 answer against 6 in the Band 6 answer. Open each answer to read the examiner's reason for every criterion.