Explore Duolingo Question Types: A Comprehensive Guide 

Duolingo Question Types: DET test-takers must be well acquainted with the Duolingo question types to ace the exam. Keeping abreast of the DET question types will allow students to have a solid understanding of the questions and what they require, thereby bolstering their chances of securing better scores on the exam.

The Duolingo English Test (DET) measures a test taker’s English language skills. This internet-based exam is accepted by many universities around the world. So, it’s a good option for students looking to study abroad. The test focuses on assessing the core English abilities of reading, writing, speaking, and listening for non-native speakers. Compared to the wider scope of exams like IELTS and TOEFL, the DET’s focus is more streamlined. In other words, the DET offers a more targeted approach to evaluating English proficiency. Read the complete blog to learn more about the Duolingo question types. 

Name of Exam	Duolingo English Test
Exam Fee	$59
Number of Attempts	3 (within a month)
Duration	1 Hour
Section	2

Duolingo Question Types 2024

Students intending to take the ‘adaptive’ Duolingo English Test must keep abreast of the frequently asked question types. That being said, doing so will let test-takers get a solid understanding of the questions and how one should tackle them during the day of the exam. Go through the following list to get an overview of the Duolingo question types and what they entail. 

Duolingo Question Type	Estimated Time For Completion	Detail
Read and Select	1 Min	Students are required to select the best answer to a question based on a text passage.
Read and Complete	3 Min	Students are required to fill in the blanks in a text passage.
Listen and Select	1.5 Min	Students are required to select the most appropriate audio for a question.
Read Aloud	20 Sec	Students are required to read a passage aloud clearly.
Listen and Type	1 Min	Students are required to type what they hear in an audio clip.
Write about photo	1 Min	Students are required to describe the image given in the prompt.
Speak about photo	1-1.5 Min	Students are required to speak about the given image.
Listen and Speak	0-1.5 Min	Students are required to listen to a prompt and then speak a response.
Read and write	0.1.5 Min	Students are required to read a passage and then write a response based on it.

Okay, so now that you’ve got a basic drift of the Duolingo English Test Question Types, let us delve deeper into each question type and understand their nuances. 

Read and Select 

Students are required to select the best answer to a question based on a text passage.

In “Read and Select” there’s no question asking about the passage itself. Students are required to identify real English words from a list presented alongside a short text passage. Such questions present themselves with 18 words on the screen, requiring test-takers to select the correct words. This question type tests your vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Read and Complete

Students are required to fill in the blanks in a text passage. Students attempting such questions will be provided with short texts along with numerous blanks. Test-takers are required to fill in such blanks with the correct options. This question type tests your vocabulary, reading comprehension, and grammar skills. The number of blanks can vary, but it’s typically between 4 and 6.

Listen and Select

Students are required to select the most appropriate audio for a question. Such questions are designed to assess an individual’s listening comprehension and vocabulary. In such questions, students will have to listen to a short audio clip and select/identify the real English words spoken in the audio clip by clicking on them. You can click again to deselect. Unlike other listening exercises, you can replay the audio clip as many times as you want within the time limit. 

Read Aloud 

Students are required to read a passage aloud clearly. Such questions are designed to evaluate an individual’s pronunciation, fluency, intonation, and rhythm. Students are presented with a short sentence or two on the screen. Test-takers usually get around 20 seconds to silently read the sentence(s) and prepare themselves to speak. 

Listen and Type

Students are required to type what they hear in an audio clip. This question type tests your listening comprehension, spelling, and typing skills. You’ll have 60 seconds to listen to the clip and type what you hear. Test-takers can only replay the audio clip a maximum of three times within the time limit. Whilst attempting such questions, students must pay close attention to the pronunciation and the overall meaning of the audio clip.

Try to identify keywords and phrases you hear clearly. These will form the backbone of your typed response. Use the replays strategically to fill in gaps or clarify any unclear parts. Apart from that, emphasize getting the words correct first. 

Write about Photo

Students are required to describe the image given in the prompt.  Test takers will be presented with a single photo on the screen. The image can vary widely, from people and places to objects and situations. This question type tests your vocabulary, descriptive writing skills, and ability to organize your thoughts. Students are given 60 seconds to complete such tasks. There’s no specific question you need to answer. However, you’re expected to write a complete sentence or short paragraph describing the photo. 

Take some time to analyze the photo and identify the key elements – people, objects, location, actions, etc. Begin with a general sentence that describes the overall scene in the photo. Apart from that, include details about the people, objects, their actions, and the setting. Go beyond basic description. Use adjectives and adverbs to paint a picture with your words. Lastly, structure your writing with a clear flow, ensuring your description is cohesive.

Speak about Photo

You are required to speak about the given image. To elucidate, in such questions, you will be shown photographs on screens and will be required to speak about the image for a minute. This question type tests your vocabulary, spoken fluency, and ability to describe visually. You’ll typically have 20 seconds to analyze the image silently. Whilst attempting such questions, you must mentally plan what aspects of the image you’ll cover. Begin with a clear opening sentence describing the scene.

 It is important to mention the key elements like people, objects, their actions, and the setting. You should use adjectives and adverbs to create a mental picture. Apart from that, you can use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences to keep your speech engaging.

Listen and Speak 

In these questions, you’ll listen to a short audio clip, typically a question, statement, or short conversation. You’ll respond to the prompt using spoken English, demonstrating your ability to formulate a clear and concise answer. You’ll get a brief period (usually around 20 seconds) to listen to the prompt and formulate your response in your head. Unlike some other speaking exercises on Duolingo, you’ll typically get two chances to record your response within a limited timeframe (around 90 seconds total). 

Individuals attempting the questions must pay close attention to the entire audio clip, including both the content and the speaker’s tone. One must focus on understanding the main idea and any specific details mentioned in the prompt. During preparation time, quickly organize your thoughts and plan what you want to say. Apart from that ensure your answer is clear, concise, and directly addresses the prompt, and aim for well-structured sentences that demonstrate proper grammar.

Read and Write

Students are required to read a passage and then write a response based on it. Such questions assess test-takers’ English reading and writing proficiency, along with their hold on vocabulary and grammar. 

So that was all about Duolingo question types. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic. 

Related Blogs
IELTS vs Duolingo: Which is Better for Indian Students?	Duolingo vs PTE: Which is the Best Test for Students?	Duolingo IELTS Conversion and Score Interpretation
Duolingo Accepted Universities In UK	Duolingo Accepted Universities In USA	Duolingo Accepted Universities in Ireland

FAQs

Visit the Leverage Live page of Leverage edu or contact our study abroad experts at 1800-57-2000 to strengthen your scores and application to secure your spot in your dream college.