The Duolingo English Test will request you to complete a number of exercises in order to evaluate your speaking, reading, and listening skills. This article will deliver you with all of the information you need to prepare for the Duolingo English Speaking Questions. Sample and practice questions are also included in this article.
What is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Exam (DET) is a test that assesses candidates’ English abilities before they travel abroad to study. It’s a totally online assessment of candidates’ speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. DET makes it unnecessary for you to physically attend test sessions at certain places.
To take the Duolingo English Test, you’ll need a valid identity document (driver’s license, passport, or government ID), a computer/laptop with a strong internet connection, a front-facing camera, microphone, speakers, and a working web browser.
The Duolingo English Exam is 1 hour long, including a 5-minute introduction to the exam. The next 45 minutes are devoted to a graded portion when you will be evaluated on the modules already mentioned. In the last 10 minutes, you must participate in a non-graded video interview where you must answer open-ended questions.
Understanding the DET Speaking Questions
Independent assignments, according to Cushing – Weigle 2002, demand students to develop an argument or explain something, exhibiting greater discursive writing knowledge and language abilities.
What precisely do you have to do? Let’s take a short look at the many sorts of speaking tasks:
- Read Aloud
- Speak about the photo
- Read, Then Speak
- Listen, Then Speak
- Ungraded Interview Sample
The following are the various sorts of questions that use these tasks:
- Read Aloud
You will read a printed prompt and speak or submit your answer for at least 30 seconds in the Read Aloud portion.
Before the countdown starts, you have 20 seconds to prepare. The question’s instructions will display.
- Speak about the photo
Instead of writing about the photo, you’ll have to speak about it in the Speak About the Photo area of the exam.
The Duolingo English Test will provide you with the question and picture for 20 seconds before turning to the recording screen. You may go through the remainder of the questions by hand. This exam type may be used to assess people, animals, buildings, events, and nature.
- Read, Then Speak
You will have 20 seconds to go through the text and then between 30 and 90 seconds to speak about the topic in this question.
If you don’t know the answer to one of the questions, explain that you don’t recall or that answering that question is difficult for whatever reason. This question is comparable to section 2 of the IELTS speaking test.
Because this question will occur twice on the test, it is critical that you prepare for it.
- Listen, Then Speak
In this question, you will be given a question to answer and will be required to record your response.
You’ll have 20 seconds to listen to the question, and you’ll be able to repeat it three times. After that, you must talk for at least 30 seconds and up to 90 seconds.
- Ungraded Interview Sample
You will be asked to record a video in addition to your voice in the Speaking Sample. Universities will be able to see this video to see how you communicate in English.
You will be shown two themes for 30 seconds and must pick one. After that, you must talk for 1 to 3 minutes.
How to Prepare for DET Speaking Test?
Your goal is to speak English fluently and ace the DET exam. Here are some tips that will surely help you make the most of your time and learn the most effective strategies for success.
Go through the Duolingo Test with a friend.
The ideal starting place for orienting yourself. Before you begin studying, familiarize yourself with the exam by viewing a short video overview on the Duolingo test website.
In this three-minute video, you’ll learn how the test works, what some of the questions look like, and how to register and prepare for the exam.
Take a free Duolingo practice exam.
A free Duolingo sample exam may be found on the website and takes just 8 minutes to complete. This is the greatest method to get a feel for the exam by seeing some sample questions and answers, as well as a ballpark estimate of your score!
Because no two Duolingo exams are alike (more on that below), it’s really fairly impossible to prepare for the questions without first going through the sample exam.
Learn about Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
Here’s how Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) works in a nutshell:
- When you properly answer a question on the Duolingo exam, the following question automatically gets more difficult.
- If you answer a question poorly, though, the following one will be a bit simpler. The Duolingo test works in this manner to give you a better idea of your genuine level of English proficiency.
- So don’t worry if you find a question extremely difficult; it might indicate that you’ve done really well up to that point.!
Learn about the different sorts of Duolingo questions.
Again, the exam website has a lot of information on the sorts of questions on the Duolingo test, but here’s a small sample to get you started:
- Read and Complete
- Read Aloud
- Write About the Photo
- Listen and Select
- Read and Select
- Listen, Then Write
- Read, Then Write
- Read, Then Speak
Speaking exercises in Duolingo
In the Duolingo Test, you’ll be asked to speak for 1-3 minutes about a specific subject, as we said before. For many natural English speakers, much alone overseas students, this is a difficult challenge.
But don’t worry, it’s just a matter of getting used to hearing your own voice and learning how to rapidly prepare what you’ll say. So, what can you do to be ready for this?
Take any subject, practically any subject! It might be a political scenario, a TV program you like, a dish you enjoy, an environmental concern, or anything else you come across.
Consider what you might say about it, as well as the problems it would encounter, and then videotape yourself speaking out loud about it.
It may seem clumsy and uncomfortable at first, but after a few tries, you’ll feel more comfortable, and the words will flow a lot more freely!
Get the official Duolingo test guide.
We always suggest obtaining a hold of an authentic study guide for any exam! After all, the test’s creators are the finest individuals to lead you in the correct way with useful hints and strategic suggestions.
So, where can you get your hands on the official Duolingo English Test guide? It’s simple: once you’ve created an account, go to the website and download it!
Always take a practice test.
The Duolingo sample test has previously been stated, but it is worth repeating. Try a free sample test every few days or weeks to evaluate how you’re doing.
Don’t procrastinate!
Allow plenty of time to prepare for the big day. We suggest starting at least one month before your prospective test date, if not six weeks in advance.
This way, you won’t be stressed out or working under duress, and your brain will have enough time to process any new knowledge. If you’re not quite ready yet, don’t worry: you may take the exam whenever you’re ready since there’s no need to schedule ahead of time!
You must be able to communicate in English in the real world!
Duolingo is likely the best at assessing your daily, real-world English fluency for all the English exams for studying abroad (and there are a lot of them; check out our comprehensive list here).
This is due to the non-academic nature of the questions, as well as the fact that they are answer-adaptive and cannot be fully practiced.
As a result, practicing answering questions in real life is the best approach to preparing for the Duolingo English Test. Here are some suggestions for getting started:
- Have you seen a photo on Instagram or Facebook? Take a few moments to explain it in great detail, both verbally and in writing!
- Read extracts from articles aloud to improve your reading and pronunciation.
- After listening to podcasts, music, or YouTube videos, try writing down and repeating what you hear out loud.
- Prompts for speaking and writing tests may be found online, and you can practice on your own.
Learn the guidelines for the exam day.
There are certain unique restrictions and requirements to follow while taking the Duolingo English Test at home on your computer. We’ve previously covered these guidelines in our guide to the Duolingo English Test.
Practice Questions for Speaking Sections
Below are some of the DET practice questions for each speaking question type. Make use of these for your own practice, and don’t forget to time yourself.
DET Read Aloud Practice Questions
Practice reading these sentences within 30 seconds. Don’t forget to time and record yourself while doing so.
- Bill Gates is the wealthiest guy in America and the globe at the moment.
- “The Sun in the past, the Earth is the present, and the moon represents the future, according to modern science.”
- We came from an incandescent mass and will now transform into a frozen mass.
- Nature is merciless, and we are driven to our fate quickly and inexorably.
- Reserve requirements are the percentages of deposits that banks must have in reserve and cannot lend out.
- A worldwide team of scientists using the Hubble Space Telescope achieved an independent assessment of how rapidly the Universe is expanding by utilizing galaxies as enormous gravitational lenses.
- The newly discovered expansion rate for the local Universe matches previous results.
- This points to a fundamental issue at the core of our knowledge of the universe.
- When the speech takes place in a calm atmosphere, automated speech recognition (ASR) algorithms can create good transcripts from video.
- Our eyelids naturally close, and our eyes slide back into their sockets every few seconds.
- Premature newborns’ brains are not shaped by their expectations about the world in the same way that full-term babies’ brains are; this is key proof that this neurological process is vital to development.
- According to recent research, the intensity of a marketer’s grin determines how customers perceive the marketer’s expertise and friendliness, which may lead to varied outcomes depending on the situation.
- The researchers studied both the loss of wetlands due to coastline erosion and island fragmentation, which occurs when tiny islands are divided up into even smaller islands, resulting in the additional shoreline.
- Retroviruses have been absorbed into our human DNA over millions of years, and they now make up over 10% of the entire genome.
- The geology of the places led scientists to the conclusion that the organics are most likely native to the dwarf planet.
DET Speak about the Photo Practice Questions
Practice talking about these photos for at least 30 seconds. Don’t forget to time and record yourself while doing so.
DET Video Interview Sample Practice Questions
The prompts are intended to inspire organized, instructive, explanatory, or contentious replies. These questions reveal more about the student’s mental process and English language mastery.
Practice these prompts within 1-2 minutes and don’t forget to time and record yourself.
- Give a short overview of the geography of the country where you now dwell. What effect does the location of the nation have on its people and culture?
- Choose a plant or animal that fascinates you. Describe some of the threats or challenges it faces, as well as how it overcomes them.
- Some schools demand that pupils study a foreign language. Do you think this is generally a good or bad thing? Justify your position.
- Should humans be bound by an ethical code and social rules? Do you think this is essential? Explain your side.
- Environmental contamination has had specific harmful consequences on people’s lives. What are the possible consequences? Explain your position.
- Why, compared to previous years, are there higher percentages of indifference caused by politics today?
- Should the government encourage individuals to live a sustainable and ecologically friendly lifestyle?
- How can you encourage and urge individuals to take personal responsibility for the environment
- Introduce yourself and tell us about the unique personality attribute you possess.
- Tell us one of your most unforgettable days. Do you have any recollection of how you felt at the time?
DET Listen/Read, Then Speak Cue-Cards with Model Answers
We’ll go through all of the various sorts of questions that appear on the Duolingo English exam in this section. We’ll use example questions and answers to help you understand what the Duolingo English test entails.
It is essential to practice each kind of question in order to get a high score on the Duolingo English exam. You should use a timer to practice each question.
What is a Cue Card Speaking Question?
During the Duolingo English Test, you will encounter written and aural cue card questions, which will include 3-4 questions, as well as instructions on how to answer the questions on the cue card. You won’t be able to edit the question; instead, you’ll have to talk about whatever subject is on the cue card.
Sample 1:
| describe the application | Today I’m going to discuss GuitarTuna. GuitarTuna is a smartphone app. It’s a little software with a file size of less than 10 MB. The company’s logo is a guitar pick. It is simple to use in addition to being a quick software. All I have to do now is touch it and begin plucking my guitar strings. The software instantly identifies the string and tells me how to tune it by tightening or loosening it. |
| when you first began using it | I began taking guitar lessons five years ago. My instructor used to tune my guitar for me in my coaching lesson at first. My buddies then informed me that smartphone applications might be used to tune a guitar. So, I went to my phone’s Play Store and looked for guitar tuner applications. GuitarTuna was the finest of the bunch. |
| how frequently do you use it | I practice new riffs on my guitar virtually every day at home. I have to make sure that all six strings are in tune before I begin playing. As a result, I utilize this app at least once a day. |
| why you use it | I practice new riffs on my guitar virtually every day at home. I have to make sure that all six strings are in tune before I begin playing. As a result, I utilize this app at least once a day. |
Sample 2:
| who is the actor | The actor that I would love to meet someday is the American actor Jack Black who is already in his fifties. I’ Because I just saw his interview a few days ago, I know Jack Black is married with children. He is a part of the musical group Tenacious D, in addition to his acting career. Rock tunes are regularly played. I have become a big fan of his work after seeing numerous of his flicks. |
| the kind of films in which he or she has appeared | In Hollywood films, Black has nearly always performed comedic parts. His most well-known roles are Kung Fu Panda, Jumanji, and The School of Rock. He constantly plays the misfit in such a funny manner that viewers can empathize with him while also laughing at his misfortunes. |
| your knowledge of his or her life | Because I just saw his interview a few days ago, I know Jack Black is married with children. He is a part of the musical group Tenacious D, in addition to his acting career. Rock tunes are regularly played. I believe that he is one the finest actor with a great attitude so I would definitely love to meet him one day. |
Sample 3:
| what is your favorite clothing style | It is a classy attire. It includes a jacket, a waistcoat, and a pair of navy pants. I prefer to wear it with a white button-down shirt, silver cufflinks, a narrow red necktie with white dots, and a white pocket square. Black traditional Oxford shoes match the outfit. |
| how frequently do you wear the outfit | I had this outfit constructed in April 2019 for my sister’s wedding celebration. For such a momentous occasion, I spent a lot of money on the fabric from my local mall. I had the suit tailored at Mancini Tailors, one of the best in town. It totaled roughly 2,500 pesos. |
| why do you appreciate it | I now only wear suits to cocktail parties and formal business events. Because it’s my sole elegant outfit, I treat it well. I wore the suit to my company’s New Year’s celebration earlier this year. Everyone at the workplace said I looked clever and lovely. In addition, I stand out in the party photos since I was the only one dressed extravagantly. |
Sample 4:
| who the individual | My instructor Amalia Pinto is someone I admire. She was my English instructor at Christ University in Bangalore, where I studied BBA. Even though she only taught me for one semester, I still consider her one of my finest professors. |
| what do you know about them | I applaud her for making English relevant and real for us pupils. Our college required us to learn English even though we were studying Business. We had to read and examine various articles and tales. Many of us didn’t understand the value at first since we wanted to work in business. Miss Pinto showed us how relevant it is to us. |
| What do they do | She taught us the value of reading excellent literature to understand more about the world. She taught us that even if we want to work in business, we must comprehend gender, class, caste, and race. This makes us better and more compassionate individuals. She inspired me to read as much as I can now. |
Sample 5:
| what exactly is it | Science has made a significant contribution to the advancement of human civilization. Science is more than simply a topic; it affects every part of our life. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are examples of different fields of science. We can only learn about illnesses and how to treat them thanks to science. Biology was the topic that piqued my curiosity. |
| how did you discover it | My science instructor was really knowledgeable and taught in an engaging way. She taught me about biology. The topic mainly deals with living creatures and their essential processes, and it provides a thorough comprehension of the natural world. |
| what makes you want to know about it | The human body is a marvel of engineering, and I’m fascinated by the human body and its facts. Different biological systems and functions are instilled in every living creature. And some of the biological truths are mind-blowing. One day, I want to be a biology professor. |
DET Practice Cue-Cards for Listen/Read, Then Speak
The DET speaking question is one many test-takers fear. The fundamental issue is that many are terrified of the possible questions. This is because they need to think about the solution for a long and they don’t have time to consider it. A long delay in your response might also be penalized. So, plan ahead so you can complete it in 90 seconds. You need to practice.
Below are some of the cue card questions that we prepared for your practice. You may practice:
The event in the Past
In these cue cards, you will be asked to talk about events that happened in the past or any moment that occurred recently.
Top Tips for Past Cue Cards:
- When describing the past, be sure to use past tenses.
- Remember to provide background at the beginning of your tale — the examiner is unfamiliar with you, so you may need to provide more facts to make your story flow.
- Include details in your tale to help it flow organically and fill the time – remember, you don’t have to cover all of the bullets in your answer; instead, concentrate on the story you’re telling.
Sample questions on events in the past:
Describe a moment when you were proud of a family member
You should say:
- Who is your family member?
- What made you proud of him/her?
- Why do you feel this way?
Talk about an instance in your life when you had to get up early.
You should say:
- How do you feel?
- What made you wake up early?
- Why do you need to be early?
Describe a time when you were kind to someone you didn’t like
You should say:
- Who is this person?
- What made you dislike this person?
- Why are you considerate of this person?
Describe a recent good decision
You should say:
- What was the situation?
- When did this happen?
- Why do you need to decide on this matter?
Describe a recent mistake
You should say:
- What was the mistake?
- When did this happen?
- How do you feel about this?
Describe a moment you felt bored and wasted time
You should say:
- Why do you think you wasted your time?
- When did this happen?
- How do you feel about this?
Describe a time you purchased something and had difficulty using it
You should say:
- What did you purchase?
- What made this item to be difficult to use?
- How do you feel about this?
Describe an instance when you were acknowledged or won an award
You should say:
- What was the award?
- When did this happen?
- How do you feel about this?
Describe an instance when your PC broke down
You should say:
- What happened to your PC?
- When did this happen?
- How do you feel about this?
Describe an occasion when you were pleasantly surprised to see or meet a buddy.
You should say:
- Who was your friend?
- When did you meet?
- Why do you feel surprised?
Describe an occasion when you assisted a buddy
You should say:
- Who is this person?
- When did this happen?
- Why do you need to help this person?
Describe a pandemic you witnessed
You should say:
- What was the situation?
- When did this happen?
- How do you feel about this?
Describe a period when you were compelled to remain inside.
You should say:
- What do you have to stay indoors?
- When did this happen?
- How do you feel about this?
Person
For this cue card topic, you will be asked to talk about a friend, family member, favorite person, or any person that matters in your life.
Top Tips for People Cue Cards:
- Avoid using adjectives solely.
- Provide examples/anecdotes to assist you in explaining each in-depth.
Sample questions on person/people:
Describe a renowned athlete you know
You should say:
- Who is this athlete?
- What do you know about him/her?
- Why did you choose this person?
Describe a person who most impressed you when you were in elementary school
You should say:
- Who is this person?
- What do you know about him/her?
- Why are you impressed with this person?
Describe a foreigner you’ve heard or met that you find fascinating.
You should say:
- Who is this person?
- What do you know about him/her?
- Why are you fascinated by this person?
Talk about someone who came up with a creative solution to a challenge.
You should say:
- Who is this person?
- What do you know about him/her?
- What made him come up with a solution?
Describe someone you know who is open-minded.
You should say:
- Who is this person?
- What do you know about him/her?
- Why do you consider them open-minded?
Describe an example of a courteous individual
You should say:
- Who is this person?
- What do you know about him/her?
- How do you feel about this person?
Describe an example of a family you admire (not your own)
You should say:
- Who is this person?
- What do you know about him/her?
- Why do you admire this person?
Describe a brief description of your favorite singer
You should say:
- Who is this singer?
- What do you know about him/her?
- Why are you impressed with this person?
Describe a behavior you appreciate in a buddy
You should say:
- Who is this person?
- What do you know about him/her?
- Why do you appreciate their behavior?
Habit/Hobbies
For these cue cards, you will be asked to talk about hobbies, mannerisms, or routines that you are doing or have been doing.
Top Tips for Habit Cue Cards:
- Define the habit using the present simple.
- To lengthen your speech, tell the history of your habit or a particular example from the past.
- If you run out of thoughts, describe two behaviors.
Sample questions on habits/hobbies:
Talk about a water sport you want to try in the future
You should say:
- What activity would you like to try?
- When do you plan to take this?
- Why did you choose this activity?
Describe a recreational activity near or on the sea that you wish to attempt
You should say:
- Which activity would you like to try?
- When do you plan to take this?
- Why did you choose this activity?
Describe an expensive hobby or pastime that you enjoy pursuing on occasion
You should say:
- What activity is this?
- What makes this expensive?
- Why did you choose this activity?
Describe a hobby that you tried during the pandemic
You should say:
- What hobby is this?
- What made you decide on this activity?
- Why did you choose this activity?
Talk about an activity that you consider extreme
You should say:
- What activity is this?
- What makes this an extreme sport?
- Why did you choose this activity?
Talk about your daily routine
You should say:
- What is your daily routine?
- Why do you follow this routine?
- How do you feel about following this routine?
Describe an interesting activity that you want to try after you retire
You should say:
- What activity is this?
- What made you decide to plan this?
- Why did you choose this activity?
Object
In these cue cards, the questions are focused on things that you like or that you consider important in your life.
Top Tips for Object Cue Cards
- Ensure that you have the terminology to define object cue card themes such (i.e. screen, buttons, apps, crack, etc.).
- It is often simpler to draw a comparison than it is to explain an unknown entity (It is similar to a/an X).
Sample questions on objects:
Talk about a piece of equipment that is important in your home
You should say:
- What is this object?
- What do you know about this object?
- Why do you think this is important?
Talk about a book that was important to you or that you found fascinating
You should say:
- What is the title of the book?
- What do you know about this book?
- Why do you think this is fascinating?
Describe a funny movie or one that made you laugh
You should say:
- What is the movie?
- What do you know about this movie?
- Why do you think this is funny?
Describe a computer or phone program or app
You should say:
- What is the name of the app/program?
- What do you know about this?
- Why do you think this is impressive?
Talk about any object you think is exceptionally lovely
You should say:
- What is this object?
- What do you know about this object?
- Why do you consider this exceptionally lovely?
Describe an old object that has been in your family for a long time
You should say:
- What is this object?
- How long has it been with your family?
- Why do you think your family kept it?
Talk about an important object that you lost
You should say:
- What is this object?
- What made this important?
- How did you feel after losing it?
Describe a childhood toy that you enjoyed
You should say:
- What is this toy?
- What made you enjoy this toy?
- Why do you think this is important?
Place
These cue card questions will be asked you to talk about places that you have visited or planning to visit someday.
Top Tips for Place Cue Cards
- Make sure that you have enough vocabulary to describe towns/cities/buildings.
- Talk extensively.
Sample questions on places:
Describe a cafe you like to visit
You should say:
- Where is this located?
- What do you know about this place?
- Why do you like to visit this place?
Talk about a place you like to visit but don’t want to live there
You should say:
- Where is this located?
- What do you know about this place?
- Why don’t you want to live in this place?
Talk about a town or city where you would like to live in the future
You should say:
- Where is this located?
- What do you know about this place?
- Why would you choose to live here?
Describe a polluted place or city you have visited
You should say:
- Where is this located?
- What do you know about this place?
- How do you feel about this place?
Describe a noisy place you have visited
You should say:
- Where is this located?
- What do you know about this place?
- How do you feel about this place?
Describe a crowded place you have visited
You should say:
- Where is this located?
- What do you know about this place?
- How do you feel about this place?
Describe a location where you may easily study
You should say:
- Where is this located?
- What do you know about this place?
- How do you feel about this place?
Describe a historical location that you have visited
You should say:
- Where is this located?
- What do you know about this place?
- How do you feel about this place?
Hypothetical Desire
These cue card questions will ask you to talk about plans that you desire to take action in the future time. It will also ask you to talk about plans that you have.
Top Tips for Hypothetical Cue Cards
- Recognize that the card is asking you to describe a new experience!
- Extend your speech by following the three procedures outlined above.
- Discuss TWO ideas if you need to occupy additional time (i.e., a second sport that you would like to try).
Sample questions on hypothetical desires:
Describe a long trip that you are planning to
You should say:
- When do you plan to take this trip?
- What have you planned so far?
- How do you feel about this long trip?
Talk about a famous person that you would like to have dinner with
You should say:
- Who is the famous person?
- Where will you have dinner?
- What do you know about this person?
Describe a meal that you will enjoy on your last day on earth
You should say:
- What is the meal?
- Why did you choose this meal?
- How do you feel about this moment?
Talk about a dream you want to realize
You should say:
- What is your dream?
- When do you plan to take action on this?
- How do you feel about achieving this?
Talk about a change that you would like to see in the world
You should say:
- What change would you like to happen?
- When do you think this will take place?
- How do you feel about this change?
Describe an example of a reward you’d want to win
You should say:
- What reward would you like to win?
- Why is it important to achieve this?
- How do you feel about this reward?
Talk about a scientific field that you are interested in
You should say:
- What is your chosen scientific field?
- Why are you interested in this field?
- How do you feel about this area of science?
Talk about a foreign language that you would like to learn
You should say:
- Which language would you like to learn?
- Why did you choose this language?
- How important is it for you to learn this?
Favorite Thing
In this cue card topic, you will be asked to talk about your favorite objects or moments in your life and explain why they matter.
Top Tips for Favorite Cue Cards
- Review and practice these cards before the test (for more information, see my blog article) to ensure you can explain your “favorites.”
- Once again, if you need to talk for a longer period of time, don’t be scared to discuss more than one favorite.
Sample questions on favorite things:
Talk about the synopsis of your favorite film
You should say:
- What is the film?
- What do you know about this film?
- How do you feel about this film?
Talk about your favorite actor or actress
You should say:
- Who is your favorite actor/actress?
- What do you know about this celebrity?
- How do you feel about him/her?
Describe your favorite person in the family
You should say:
- Who is your favorite person?
- What do you know about this person?
- How do you feel about him/her?
Talk about your favorite moment in your life
You should say:
- What is your favorite moment?
- Why is this a special moment?
- Why do you think this is important for you?
Describe a memorable sentence from poetry or a song
You should say:
- What is your favorite song/poetry line?
- What do you know about this song/poem?
- How do you feel about this song/poem?
Talk about an unforgettable moment in your childhood
You should say:
- What is your unforgettable moment?
- Why is this a special moment?
- Why do you think this is important for you?
Describe your favorite dish
You should say:
- What is your favorite dish?
- What makes this special for you?
- How do you feel about this dish?
Talk about a food that you will share with your favorite person
You should say:
- Who is your favorite person?
- What food will you share with them?
- Why do you think this is important for you?
Cultural Event/Item
In these cue card questions, you will be asked to talk about your insights on foreign activities, cultures, or even customs.
Top Tips for Favorite Cue Cards
- If you don’t know the translation, don’t worry about using terms from your own language to describe cultural artifacts — simply explain what it is!
- Even if the examiner is from your nation, act as though they have never heard of the event/item so you can thoroughly explain it.
Sample questions on cultural event/item:
Describe a common ritual observed in your nation
You should say:
- What is the ritual?
- What do you know about this ritual?
- Why is this conducted in your country?
Describe a custom from your nation
You should say:
- What is the custom?
- What do you know about this custom?
- Why is this conducted in your country?
Describe an architectural structure that has impressed you in your country
You should say:
- What is the structure/building?
- What do you know about this building?
- Why was this built?
Talk about a foreign country that you would like to visit
You should say:
- What is the country that you would like to visit?
- When do you plan to visit?
- Why is it significant for you to visit this place?
Describe the best souvenir that you got from your travels
You should say:
- What is the souvenir?
- Where did you get this item?
- How do you feel about this souvenir?
Talk about a foreign culture that you like
You should say:
- Which foreign culture that you like?
- What do you know about this culture?
- How do you feel about their culture?
Describe a school-related art or craft project
You should say:
- What is the project?
- Why was this assigned to you?
- Why do you think this was chosen for your class?
Talk about a museum that you plan to visit
You should say:
- What is the museum that you would like to visit?
- When do you plan to visit?
- Why is it significant for you to visit this place?
Quick Tips and Strategies to Ace Cue-Cards Questions
You may be anxious about taking the DET Speaking questions, but these ten recommendations will help you gain confidence and achieve the DET overall score you want.
- Get to know what you’ll be doing.
Most significantly, you must be able to answer questions and converse in conversational English in the Cambridge First speaking exam. However, before studying for the test, you should get acquainted with the paper’s format and have a thorough understanding of the language you’ll need for each section of the speaking exam. While studying for your next test, you should pay close attention to what the examiners are looking for.
- In class, practice expanding your replies.
When asked “where are you from?” on the test, merely saying “Hamburg” and nothing more will not help you score well on the speaking section. Make the most of your class time by practicing expanding your responses wherever feasible. The more you practice, the more capable and confident you will be when the test arrives.
Making sets of questions on daily themes and taking turns asking the questions and offering long responses is one way to practice answering questions for DET. Your likes and dislikes, hobbies, media, and technology, among other things, are common questions.
Questions could include:
- What are your typical evening activities?
- Tell us about a recent television show you saw.
- How did you spend your most recent birthday?
- Improve your communication abilities.
In the DET speaking questions, you will be assessed not only on your ability to answer questions properly but also on your ability to interact with your partner.
Here are some things to consider while you work on improving your communication skills:
- Effectively interact
- Make sure you react to your partner’s comments and explain why you agree or disagree with them.
- You gain points for proving that you can listen to and reply to your partner effectively.
- Expand the discussion
Whenever feasible, attempt to contribute to the discussion by expanding on what your partner has said. If they say, “I believe spending the money on a round-the-world vacation would be a terrific idea,” react, “That’s a fantastic idea.” That would be fantastic. Do you believe it’s preferable to do it by yourself or with a friend?”
- Deal with silences and ‘breakdowns’ in practice.
When confronted with challenging issues under duress, it’s easy to freeze and go blank.
- Allot some time for yourself.
Use words that will allow you to buy a bit more time to consider a smart response.
- Know what they are looking for
- Articulacy and coherence: you should be able to communicate clearly. It’s OK to be hesitant about language or ideas sometimes. Your presentation should be well-organized and coherent. Your presentation should also be related to the stated subject.
- Vocabulary: You should utilize a variety of terminology correctly, including some idiomatic jargon (some mistakes are accepted). Your vocabulary should demonstrate that you can converse on a wide range of subjects. This is what it means to utilize language in a flexible way.
- Grammar: You should be able to use a variety of grammatical structures with just a few exceptions.
- Pronunciation: You should employ a range of pronunciation qualities, such as intonation, linked speech, word and sentence emphasis, and a consistent speed of speaking, to make your pronunciation simple to understand (not too slow and not too fast). Speaking too quickly will lower your band score.
- Find a study partner (or a tutor)
Finding a speaking partner to practice with throughout preparation is a wonderful option. Find a DET teacher – a skilled coach will show you how to answer speaking questions properly and provide you with ideas on how to improve. Choose a subject from our list above with your preparation partner. Give your presentation, then invite your friend to ask you one or two questions about it.
You may also practice by yourself. Simply choose a subject and converse with yourself in the mirror. Alternatively, chat with your pet. Choose a subject that you’ve practiced previously and speak about it for 90 seconds while strolling outdoors or cleaning your home. Any practice is preferable to none.
- Use your phone or computer to record yourself.
Another smart technique to prepare is to make an audio or video recording of yourself presenting your lecture on your phone. After that, listen to it. Then consider how you may improve.
FAQs about DET Speaking Test Questions
How long is the Duolingo speaking test?
The speaking test is part of both the adaptive and ungraded sections. In the adaptive test, speaking is part of Listen/Read, then Speak, Read Aloud, and for the ungraded is the Video Interview. The adaptive test runs for 45 minutes, while the video interview runs for 10 minutes.
Is there a Duolingo English exam interview?
Yes, there is a video interview sample. However, it is not graded and won’t be part of your overall score. Nevertheless, this will help your future institutions to assess you further.
Here are some tips for preparing for the Duolingo English test’s video interview component:
- You must speak for 1 to 3 minutes on one of the Duolingo assessors’ chosen subjects.
- Examiners in the video will measure their speed, fluency, enunciation, and confidence.
How do you ace the DET Speaking Questions?
The Duolingo exam is not based on particular testing procedures used in examinations like IELTS or TOEFL but rather on your overall level of English. The best approach to prepare for this is to work on your general language skills via teacher-led sessions or self-study.
- Expand your vocabulary by looking up new terms in a dictionary or writing down unfamiliar words you come across when watching or listening to anything in English.
- Work on improving your listening abilities.
- Start reading and pay attention to the language structures.
- Pay attention to American accents.
- Work on your sentence intonation.
- Practice your vocabulary pronunciation.
- Try speaking for 30 seconds about something.
- Practice speaking for 1-3 minutes on a subject in your finest English.
What will happen if you don’t use all of the items on the cue card?
Candidates often believe that if they do not use all of the cue card elements, they will get a poor score. However, this isn’t always the case. It’s entirely appropriate if you can speak in-depth about two or three recommendations, providing all pertinent details.
Finally, the cue card section of the Duolingo English Test is required. Learn how to generate thoughts correctly and how to broaden the discourse by expanding on the topics.
Are cue card questions important in the DET?
The cue cards’ main purpose is to answer the question and speak about it for 30-90 seconds. You’ll have 20 seconds to jot down any pertinent mental notes on the topic.
Some people are unable to generate any ideas or points related to the topic. In this scenario, speaking for 90 seconds is really difficult. Due to the restricted number of ideas, even if we tried to talk for 90 minutes, it would be impossible.
It’s typically preferable to follow the cue card’s advice and speak continually, elaborating on the replies with supporting remarks to avoid these problems.
