Duolingo English Test: All Question Types Explained

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a computer-adaptive language proficiency assessment that evaluates your English skills. Unlike traditional exams, the DET can be taken online, on-demand, making it a convenient option for students and professionals worldwide. To ace this test, it's crucial to understand the various question types you'll encounter. Let's dive into each one!

1. Read and Complete

Read and Complete questions test your vocabulary and grammar skills in context. You'll be presented with a passage where some words are missing, and your task is to fill in the blanks with the correct words. These questions assess your understanding of English vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. You will see a text with several blanks. Your task is to select the correct word from a dropdown menu to fill each blank. The words are often similar, so understanding the context of the sentence is very important. Focus on identifying clues within the sentence, such as verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and the overall meaning, to guide your choice. Remember to read the entire passage before making your selections, this will give you a better understanding of the overall context, making it easier to choose the correct words. Pay close attention to grammatical cues like articles (a, an, the), prepositions (in, on, at), and conjunctions (and, but, or), as these can help narrow down your options. Practice regularly by reading articles, books, and other English texts, and make a note of new vocabulary and grammatical structures. This will help you build your familiarity with the language and improve your accuracy on Read and Complete questions. Furthermore, consider using online resources and practice tests specifically designed for the Duolingo English Test to familiarize yourself with the format and difficulty level of these questions. Understanding common English idioms and expressions is also beneficial, as they often appear in these types of exercises. Remember, effective time management is crucial, so avoid spending too much time on any single question, and try to answer as many questions as possible within the allotted time. By employing these strategies and dedicating time to consistent practice, you can significantly improve your performance on Read and Complete questions and increase your overall score on the Duolingo English Test. This question type really boils down to recognizing patterns and understanding how words function within a sentence, which comes with consistent practice and exposure to the English language. So, keep reading, keep practicing, and you'll be well on your way to mastering this section of the test. Good luck, guys!

2. Read and Select

Read and Select questions measure your ability to identify real English words. You'll be presented with a list of words, some of which are actual English words, and others are made-up words. Your task is to select only the real English words. This question type assesses your vocabulary knowledge and your ability to distinguish between legitimate words and non-words. It is designed to evaluate your familiarity with the English lexicon and your ability to quickly recognize valid words. When approaching Read and Select questions, it is essential to rely on your existing vocabulary knowledge and to think critically about the words presented. If you are unsure whether a word is real, try to recall if you have encountered it before in your reading or listening experiences. Consider the word's structure and whether it follows typical English spelling patterns. Many non-words will contain unusual combinations of letters or violate common phonetic rules. If a word looks or sounds odd, it is likely not a real English word. It is also helpful to break down the word into its component parts, such as prefixes, suffixes, and root words, to see if these elements are familiar. If the word contains recognizable parts, it may be a real English word. However, be cautious, as some non-words may be cleverly constructed to resemble real words. To prepare for Read and Select questions, focus on expanding your vocabulary through reading and exposure to various English language materials. Pay attention to the words you encounter and make a note of any new or unfamiliar terms. Use a dictionary or online resources to look up the meanings and usage of these words, and try to incorporate them into your own writing and speaking. Regularly practicing with vocabulary-building exercises and games can also help improve your ability to quickly identify real English words. Remember, the key to success on Read and Select questions is a strong foundation in English vocabulary and the ability to think critically about the words presented. With consistent practice and a focus on expanding your knowledge of the English lexicon, you can improve your performance on this section of the Duolingo English Test and increase your overall score. So keep studying, keep learning, and you'll be well-prepared to tackle these questions with confidence. You've got this!

3. Listen and Select

In Listen and Select questions, you'll hear a series of words, and just like in Read and Select, you need to identify the real English words from a list that includes both real and fake words. This section evaluates your listening comprehension and your ability to recognize spoken English words. You will listen to a series of audio clips, each containing a single word. Your task is to select the real English words from the list. This question type assesses your ability to distinguish between legitimate words and non-words based on their pronunciation. When approaching Listen and Select questions, it is essential to focus on the sounds of the words and to try to match them to your existing vocabulary knowledge. Listen carefully to each audio clip and pay attention to the pronunciation of the word. If you are unsure whether a word is real, try to recall if you have heard it before in your listening experiences. Consider the word's phonetic structure and whether it follows typical English pronunciation rules. Many non-words will contain unusual sounds or violate common phonetic patterns. If a word sounds odd, it is likely not a real English word. It is also helpful to practice listening to a variety of English accents and speech patterns. This will help you become more familiar with the different ways that words can be pronounced and improve your ability to recognize them, regardless of the speaker's accent. To prepare for Listen and Select questions, focus on improving your listening comprehension skills through exposure to various English language materials. Listen to podcasts, watch movies and TV shows, and engage in conversations with native English speakers. Pay attention to the words you hear and make a note of any new or unfamiliar terms. Use a dictionary or online resources to look up the meanings and pronunciations of these words, and try to incorporate them into your own speaking. Regularly practicing with listening comprehension exercises and games can also help improve your ability to quickly identify real English words. Remember, the key to success on Listen and Select questions is a strong foundation in English listening skills and the ability to think critically about the sounds of the words presented. With consistent practice and a focus on expanding your knowledge of the English language, you can improve your performance on this section of the Duolingo English Test and increase your overall score. Keep your ears open, and you'll nail it!

4. Read Aloud

The Read Aloud section requires you to speak. You will be presented with a written sentence, and you must record yourself reading it aloud clearly and accurately. This section assesses your pronunciation, fluency, and intonation. Your response will be evaluated on how well you pronounce the words, your pacing, and your overall clarity. When approaching Read Aloud questions, it is essential to focus on speaking clearly and accurately. Read the sentence carefully before you begin speaking, and pay attention to the pronunciation of each word. If you are unsure how to pronounce a word, consult a dictionary or online resource. Speak at a moderate pace, and avoid rushing through the sentence. Enunciate each word clearly, and try to maintain a natural and conversational tone. It is also important to pay attention to your intonation, or the rise and fall of your voice. Vary your pitch and volume to convey the meaning of the sentence and to make your speech more engaging. Avoid speaking in a monotone, as this can make your speech sound unnatural and difficult to understand. To prepare for Read Aloud questions, practice reading aloud regularly. Choose a variety of English texts, such as news articles, short stories, or poems, and read them aloud with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and intonation. Record yourself reading and listen back to your recordings to identify areas for improvement. Pay attention to your pronunciation, pacing, and intonation, and try to correct any errors or inconsistencies. You can also ask a native English speaker to listen to your recordings and provide feedback. Remember, the key to success on Read Aloud questions is practice, practice, practice. With consistent effort and a focus on improving your speaking skills, you can improve your performance on this section of the Duolingo English Test and increase your overall score. So grab a book, start reading, and let your voice be heard!

5. Write About the Photo

In Write About the Photo, you'll be presented with an image and asked to write a brief description of what you see. This question tests your ability to use descriptive language, your vocabulary, and your grammar skills. Focus on providing a clear and detailed description of the image, including the main subjects, their actions, and the overall setting. When approaching Write About the Photo questions, it is essential to focus on providing a clear and detailed description of the image. Begin by identifying the main subjects in the photo and their actions. What are the people or objects in the photo doing? Where are they located? What are their characteristics? Use descriptive language to convey the details of the image to the reader. Use adjectives, adverbs, and other descriptive words to paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind. Be specific and avoid vague or general statements. For example, instead of saying "There is a tree in the photo," say "There is a tall, green tree in the foreground of the photo." It is also important to pay attention to the overall setting of the photo. Where is the photo taken? What is the weather like? What is the mood or atmosphere of the photo? Use descriptive language to convey the details of the setting to the reader. For example, instead of saying "The photo is taken outside," say "The photo is taken in a sunny park on a summer day." In addition to providing a detailed description of the image, it is also important to use correct grammar and spelling. Proofread your response carefully to ensure that there are no errors. Use a variety of sentence structures to make your writing more engaging and avoid using the same sentence structure repeatedly. To prepare for Write About the Photo questions, practice writing descriptions of images regularly. Choose a variety of photos from magazines, newspapers, or online sources, and write a brief description of each photo. Focus on providing a clear and detailed description of the image, including the main subjects, their actions, and the overall setting. Pay attention to your grammar and spelling, and use a variety of sentence structures. Remember, the key to success on Write About the Photo questions is practice and attention to detail. With consistent effort and a focus on improving your writing skills, you can improve your performance on this section of the Duolingo English Test and increase your overall score. So grab a photo, start writing, and let your creativity flow!

6. Speak About the Photo

Similar to the written version, Speak About the Photo requires you to describe an image, but this time, you'll do it verbally. This section tests your speaking fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and coherence. You will be presented with an image and asked to speak about it for a set amount of time. This question type assesses your ability to describe the image in a clear, concise, and grammatically correct manner. When approaching Speak About the Photo questions, it is essential to focus on providing a detailed and engaging description of the image. Begin by identifying the main subjects in the photo and their actions. What are the people or objects in the photo doing? Where are they located? What are their characteristics? Use descriptive language to convey the details of the image to the listener. Use adjectives, adverbs, and other descriptive words to paint a vivid picture in the listener's mind. Be specific and avoid vague or general statements. For example, instead of saying "There is a tree in the photo," say "There is a tall, green tree in the foreground of the photo." It is also important to pay attention to the overall setting of the photo. Where is the photo taken? What is the weather like? What is the mood or atmosphere of the photo? Use descriptive language to convey the details of the setting to the listener. For example, instead of saying "The photo is taken outside," say "The photo is taken in a sunny park on a summer day." In addition to providing a detailed description of the image, it is also important to speak clearly and fluently. Avoid using filler words such as "um" or "uh," and try to maintain a natural and conversational tone. Speak at a moderate pace and avoid rushing through your description. To prepare for Speak About the Photo questions, practice describing images verbally regularly. Choose a variety of photos from magazines, newspapers, or online sources, and describe each photo aloud. Focus on providing a detailed and engaging description of the image, including the main subjects, their actions, and the overall setting. Pay attention to your clarity and fluency, and try to maintain a natural and conversational tone. You can also record yourself speaking and listen back to your recordings to identify areas for improvement. Remember, the key to success on Speak About the Photo questions is practice and confidence. With consistent effort and a focus on improving your speaking skills, you can improve your performance on this section of the Duolingo English Test and increase your overall score. So strike a pose, start talking, and let your voice be heard!

7. Listen and Type

In Listen and Type, you'll hear a sentence and need to type it exactly as you hear it. This section tests your listening comprehension and your typing skills. Accurate spelling and grammar are crucial here. You will listen to an audio clip of a sentence and then type the sentence exactly as you hear it. This question type assesses your ability to understand spoken English and to accurately transcribe it into written form. When approaching Listen and Type questions, it is essential to focus on listening carefully to the audio clip and to try to understand the meaning of the sentence. Pay attention to the pronunciation of each word and to the overall rhythm and intonation of the sentence. If you are unsure of any words, try to guess their meaning based on the context of the sentence. Once you have understood the sentence, begin typing it as accurately as possible. Pay attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Use proper capitalization and ensure that all words are spelled correctly. It is also important to type quickly and efficiently, as you will be timed. To prepare for Listen and Type questions, practice listening to English audio clips and typing the sentences that you hear. Choose a variety of audio clips, such as news reports, podcasts, or lectures, and listen to them carefully. Pause the audio clip after each sentence and type the sentence as accurately as possible. Then, compare your typed sentence to the original sentence and identify any errors. Pay attention to your spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and try to correct any mistakes. You can also use online resources such as dictation websites or apps to practice your listening and typing skills. Remember, the key to success on Listen and Type questions is practice and attention to detail. With consistent effort and a focus on improving your listening and typing skills, you can improve your performance on this section of the Duolingo English Test and increase your overall score. So plug in your headphones, start listening, and let your fingers fly across the keyboard!

8. Interactive Reading

Interactive Reading presents you with a passage with missing sentences. You must select the correct sentences from a list to fill in the gaps, ensuring the text flows logically. This section focuses on your reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and understanding of text structure. You will be presented with a passage that has several sentences missing. Your task is to select the correct sentences from a list and drag them into the appropriate gaps in the passage. This question type assesses your ability to understand the overall meaning of the passage and to identify the logical connections between sentences. When approaching Interactive Reading questions, it is essential to read the entire passage carefully before attempting to fill in the gaps. Pay attention to the main ideas of the passage and to the overall flow of the text. Identify the topic of each paragraph and the relationships between the paragraphs. Once you have a good understanding of the passage, begin to examine the missing sentences. Read each sentence carefully and try to determine where it would fit best in the passage. Look for clues in the surrounding sentences, such as keywords, pronouns, and transitional phrases. Consider the logical connections between the sentences and choose the sentence that best fits the context. It is also helpful to eliminate any sentences that are clearly incorrect. If a sentence does not make sense in the context of the passage, it is likely not the correct answer. To prepare for Interactive Reading questions, practice reading a variety of English texts, such as news articles, essays, and short stories. Pay attention to the main ideas of each text and to the overall flow of the writing. Try to identify the logical connections between sentences and paragraphs. You can also practice with online resources such as reading comprehension websites or apps. Remember, the key to success on Interactive Reading questions is careful reading and logical reasoning. With consistent effort and a focus on improving your reading comprehension skills, you can improve your performance on this section of the Duolingo English Test and increase your overall score. So grab a book, start reading, and let your mind wander through the world of words!

9. Interactive Listening

Interactive Listening is similar to interactive reading, but focuses on listening comprehension. You will hear a conversation or a passage with missing parts, and you must choose the correct phrases or sentences to complete it. This tests your listening comprehension, ability to understand context, and grasp the flow of a conversation. You will listen to an audio clip of a conversation or a passage that has several parts missing. Your task is to select the correct phrases or sentences from a list and drag them into the appropriate gaps in the audio clip. This question type assesses your ability to understand spoken English, to follow the flow of a conversation or passage, and to identify the logical connections between different parts of the audio clip. When approaching Interactive Listening questions, it is essential to listen to the entire audio clip carefully before attempting to fill in the gaps. Pay attention to the main ideas of the conversation or passage and to the overall flow of the audio. Identify the topic of each segment and the relationships between the segments. Once you have a good understanding of the audio clip, begin to examine the missing phrases or sentences. Listen to each phrase or sentence carefully and try to determine where it would fit best in the audio clip. Look for clues in the surrounding segments, such as keywords, pronouns, and transitional phrases. Consider the logical connections between the segments and choose the phrase or sentence that best fits the context. It is also helpful to eliminate any phrases or sentences that are clearly incorrect. If a phrase or sentence does not make sense in the context of the audio clip, it is likely not the correct answer. To prepare for Interactive Listening questions, practice listening to a variety of English audio clips, such as conversations, lectures, and news reports. Pay attention to the main ideas of each audio clip and to the overall flow of the audio. Try to identify the logical connections between different segments. You can also practice with online resources such as listening comprehension websites or apps. Remember, the key to success on Interactive Listening questions is careful listening and logical reasoning. With consistent effort and a focus on improving your listening comprehension skills, you can improve your performance on this section of the Duolingo English Test and increase your overall score. So plug in your headphones, start listening, and let your ears guide you to success!

10. Writing Sample

The Writing Sample is a longer writing task where you'll be given a prompt and asked to write a short essay expressing your thoughts and opinions. This section evaluates your grammar, vocabulary, coherence, and ability to express your ideas clearly. You will be presented with a prompt or a question and asked to write a short essay in response. This question type assesses your ability to communicate your ideas effectively in writing, to organize your thoughts logically, and to use correct grammar and vocabulary. When approaching Writing Sample questions, it is essential to take some time to plan your response before you begin writing. Read the prompt carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked. Think about your own experiences and opinions on the topic and brainstorm some ideas that you can include in your essay. Once you have a clear plan, begin writing your essay. Start with an introduction that introduces the topic and states your main point. Then, develop your main point with supporting paragraphs that provide evidence and examples. Finally, conclude your essay with a summary of your main point and a restatement of your opinion. It is also important to pay attention to your grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. Use correct grammar and spelling and choose vocabulary that is appropriate for the topic. Proofread your essay carefully before you submit it to ensure that there are no errors. To prepare for Writing Sample questions, practice writing essays regularly. Choose a variety of prompts or questions and write a short essay in response to each one. Focus on developing your ideas logically, using correct grammar and vocabulary, and proofreading your essays carefully. You can also ask a teacher or tutor to review your essays and provide feedback. Remember, the key to success on Writing Sample questions is planning, organization, and attention to detail. With consistent effort and a focus on improving your writing skills, you can improve your performance on this section of the Duolingo English Test and increase your overall score. So grab a pen, start writing, and let your thoughts flow onto the page!

By understanding these question types and practicing regularly, you'll be well-prepared to tackle the Duolingo English Test with confidence. Good luck, and happy testing!