For more information about the exam and where it is accepted click here
In this article, I will give you all the different types of questions that are involved in the Duolingo English test.
We will work with sample questions and answers to help you understand what is involved in the Duolingo English test.
To receive a good score in the Duolingo English test, it is very important to practice each type of question. You should practice each question with a timer.
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| Question | Activity | Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Read and Complete |
Read a text and complete the missing letters. |
Reading, Grammar, Vocabulary |
|
Read and Select |
Choose words that are real English words |
Reading, Vocabulary |
|
Listen and Select |
Listen to a word and decide if it is a real English word |
Listening, Vocabulary |
|
Listen and Type |
Listen to a sentence and write what is said |
Listening,Grammar,Vocabulary |
|
Read Aloud |
Record yourself reading a sentence out loud |
Reading, Speaking |
|
Write About the Photo |
Describe a photo that you see in writing |
Writing, Vocabulary |
|
Speak About the Photo |
Record your voice describing a photo |
Speaking, Vocabulary |
|
Read, Then Write |
Read a question and respond to it in writing |
Reading,Writing, Grammar,Vocabulary |
|
Read, Then Speak |
Read about a topic and then speak about it |
Speaking, Reading, Grammar, Vocabulary |
|
Listen, Then Speak |
Listen to a question and then speak an answer to that question |
Speaking,Listening,Grammar, Vocabulary |
Let’s look at these questions in more detail now
Read and Complete
The read and complete question asks you to complete the missing letters in a text. The idea of this test is to check how much you understand English in context. If you don’t understand the text, that is ok. Try to make an educated guess at the possible words that might work in this situation.
To practice this question you should practice/study:
- Reading
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
Sample Question
Sample Answer
Tips to help you
- Read the whole sentence that you are reading to understand the context.
- Type slowly as sometimes the letters appear quickly
- Check the text again for mistakes
Read and Select
In this question, you need to show your knowledge of English vocabulary. You need to know which words are real English words and which ones are invented. Use your instinct to help you decide if a word is real or not.
To practice for this question you should study
- Reading
- Vocabulary
Sample Question
Sample Answer
Tips to help you
- Some words seem real but are not
- Check again before you click next
- Study vocabulary lists and flashcard
Listen and Select
Similar to the previous question, this time you need to listen to a word and decide if it is a real word in English. It is impossible to know every word in English but you have to trust the words that you do know and only select those ones.
Click on the word button to hear the word. You need to check the orange box for the real words.
To practice for this question you should study
- Listening
- Vocabulary
Sample Question
Sample Answer
Listen and Type
Listen and type is a question where you need to write down what you hear. Dictation is the best practice to help you with this exercise. You can listen to the audio 3 times.
To practice for this question you should study
- Listening
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
Sample Answer
Tips to help you
- Write what you hear the first time you listen
- Then check what you have written
- Practice dictation
- It is better to write an incorrect answer than nothing at all.
Read Aloud
In this question, you need to read a sentence out loud. Read the sentence out loud once before you record. Try to start reading out loud when you are practicing your reading skills.
Again, dictation will help you. My method of studying will help you with this question.
To practice for this question you should study
- Reading
- Speaking
Tips to help you
- Read slowly and clearly
- Use punctuation to help you know where to pause
- Check the time, you only have 30 seconds
Write About the Photo
In this question, you need to describe a photo in one or two sentences. This tests your ability to describe things in written English. A clear description is best in the first sentence. You can speculate what is happening in the second or third sentence
“This rocket could be part of a class project”
This question will appear 3 times during the exam so it is very important that you practice it.
To practice for this question you should study
- Writing
- Describing vocabulary
Tips to help you
- Write one short sentence with an overall description.
- Continue with another sentence going into more detail if you can.
Speak About the Photo
In this question, you need to describe a photo again, but this type you need to record yourself speaking. I recommend practicing this question together with the “write about the photo” question. Practice describing vocabulary and each time you practice with a photo you can also practice speaking.
You have 20 seconds to look at the photo and decide what you are going to say. You can speak about the photo for between 30 and 90 seconds.
To practice for this question you should study
- Speaking
- Describing vocabulary
Tips to help you
- Speak slowly and clearly
- First sentence or two, describe the photo, then describe what could be happening “There could be a marathon taking place in the city”
Read, Then Write
In this section of the Duolingo English exam, you need to read something and then respond to a question. It will be a shorter or longer question depending on your level.In the sample question and answer below, you can see one of the longer questions.
You can write as much as you want. Try to include relevant and correct English
To practice for this question you should practice/study
- Reading
- Writing
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
Tips to help you
- Try to get used to writing in 5 minutes. It is sufficient time to write 50-100 words but you should also leave some time to check your work. You can use grammarly to check your spelling.
Read, Then Speak
In this question, you will have 20 seconds to read the text and then you will need to speak between 30 and 90 seconds about the topic.
If you can’t answer one of the questions, explain that you can’t remember or that it is difficult to answer that question for some reason. This question is similar to IELTS speaking part 2.
This question will appear twice on the exam so it is very important that you practice it.
To practice for this question you should practice/study
- Speaking
- Reading
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
Tips to help you
- Write some keyword notes during your reading time
- Practice this activity with teachers on Cambly
- Use personal experiences
Listen, Then Speak
In this question, you will listen to a question and you will need to record yourself answering the question.
You will have 20 seconds to listen to the question and you can listen up to three times. You then need to speak for at least 30 seconds and a maximum of 90 seconds.
To practice for this question you should practice/study
- Speaking
- Listening
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
Tips to help you
- Speak clearly and slowly
- If you don’t understand the question, speak about a related topic that you do understand.
The following sections are not included in your score but are sent to your University so they can see your Speaking and Writing skills.
Speaking Sample
The speaking Sample will ask you to also record a video and it is not just recording your voice. This video will be available for the Universities so that they can see how you speak in English.
You will see 2 topics for 30 seconds and you need to choose one of them. You then need to speak between 1 and 3 minutes.
To practice for this question you should practice/study
- Speaking
- Reading
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
Tips to help you
- Do not stress about the time, You have plenty of time to speak
- Don’t worry about making mistakes, it happens, try to move on quickly.
- Keep on topic
- Try to practice speaking about a topic for this 3 minutes.
Writing Sample
This is similar to the speaking sample above but you need to write your answer. It will also be available to your University so that they can see your writing skills. You will be given 2 topics and you need to choose one.
To practice for this question you should practice/study
- Writing
- Reading
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
Tips to help you
- Keep your sentences short and clear.
- Leave time to check spelling and punctuation
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