Scoring well on the Duolingo English Test requires more than just knowing English—you need to be familiar with the test format, question types, and time limits. One of the most effective ways to prepare is by working through Duolingo English Test practice questions so you know exactly what to expect on test day.
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To help you get ahead, we’ve compiled 100+ sample questions with answers designed to simulate real test conditions and strengthen your skills. Let’s explore these questions and set you up for success!
Understanding the Duolingo English Test Format
Overview of Test Sections
- Introduction: Setup and instructions.
- Adaptive Section: Tests reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
- Writing and Speaking Samples: Extended responses were evaluated separately.
Adaptive Nature of the Test
The DET adjusts question difficulty in real-time, making it essential to focus on accuracy and clarity.
Question Types, Frequency, and Skill Areas
| Question Type | Frequency | Skill Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Read and Complete | Common | Reading |
| Read and Select | Common | Reading |
| Listen and Type | Common | Listening |
| Speak About the Photo | Moderate | Speaking |
| Write About the Photo | Moderate | Writing |
| Read Then Speak | Moderate | Speaking |
| Interactive Reading | Less Common | Reading |
| Interactive Writing | Less Common | Writing |
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Sample Questions and Answers by Type
Reading Section
Read and Complete
- Task: Fill in the blanks in a passage.
- Example: "The ___ was shining brightly in the sky."
- Answer: sun
Read and Select
- Task: Choose real words from a given list.
- Example: List: [apple, bnarra, vehicle, drock, ocean]
- Answer: apple, vehicle, ocean
Interactive Reading
- Task: Read a passage and answer comprehension questions.
- Example: Passage: "Dogs are loyal animals. They have been companions to humans for centuries."
- Question: What quality of dogs is highlighted?
- Answer: Loyalty
Writing Section
Write About the Photo
- Task: Describe an image in 1–2 sentences.
- Example:
- Photo: A park with children playing
- Answer: "The park is filled with children playing on swings and running on the grass."
Interactive Writing
- Task: Respond to a prompt with a short passage and follow-up question.
- Example:
- Prompt: "Describe your favorite holiday."
- Answer: "I love Christmas because of the festive decorations and time spent with family."
- Follow-up: "What tradition do you follow during Christmas?"
- Answer: "We decorate the tree and exchange gifts."
Writing Sample
- Task: Write a response to an open-ended question.
- Example:
- Prompt: "Should schools have uniforms?"
- Answer: "School uniforms create a sense of equality among students, reducing distractions caused by fashion differences."
Listening Section
Listen and Type
- Task: Transcribe an audio clip.
- Example:
- Audio: "The cat sat on the mat."
- Answer: "The cat sat on the mat."
Read Aloud
- Task: Read a sentence aloud accurately.
- Example:
- Sentence: "Technology is advancing rapidly."
Listen, Then Speak
- Task: Listen to a prompt and respond verbally.
- Example:
- Audio: "Describe your last vacation."
- Answer: "I travelled to the mountains and enjoyed hiking trails."
Summarise the Conversation
- Task: Listen to a dialogue and summarise it.
- Example:
- Conversation: "John: Let's meet at 5 PM. Mary: Sure, see you then!"
- Answer: "John and Mary planned to meet at 5 PM."
Speaking Section
Speak About the Photo
- Task: Describe an image aloud.
- Example:
- Photo: A beach with people surfing
- Answer: "The beach is lively with surfers riding the waves under a bright sky."
Read Then Speak
- Task: Read a sentence and repeat it.
- Example:
- Sentence: "A healthy diet includes fruits and vegetables."
Speaking Sample
- Task: Answer an open-ended question.
- Example:
- Prompt: "What is your favourite book and why?"
- Answer: "My favourite book is ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ because it teaches valuable lessons about empathy and justice."
Strategies to Use These Sample Questions Effectively
- Practice under timed conditions to mimic the test.
- Review sample answers to improve your responses.
- Track your performance in different question types.
- Use tools like Grammarly and ELSA for grammar and pronunciation feedback.
- Focus on weak areas based on DET subscores.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Practice
- Skipping the timer: Real exam conditions matter.
- Memorising answers: The test is adaptive and varies.
- Ignoring instructions: Time limits and relevance matter.
- Using external tools: DET forbids external help.
- Neglecting speaking and writing:These impact your final score significantly.
Conclusion
With 100+ sample questions, this guide provides comprehensive practice for the Duolingo English Test. Consistent timed practice, structured responses, and vocabulary expansion will boost your scores. Practice daily, analyse model answers, and refine your speaking and writing skills to achieve a high DET score!
Frequently Asked Qustions
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Q. Is there an official 100-question practice test?
Ans. No, Duolingo does not provide an official 100-question practice test. However, you can find Duolingo English Test practice questions on Duolingo’s official website and through free Duolingo practice questions available on various educational platforms.
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Q. Where can I find sample answers for Duolingo writing?
Ans. You can find Duolingo writing samples with answers in official practice materials, educational blogs, and DET preparation courses. Reviewing Duolingo sample answers helps understand sentence structure, grammar, and vocabulary expected in high-scoring responses.
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Q. Are these the same questions as the actual test?
Ans. No, Duolingo frequently changes the test questions, so you won’t see the exact same ones. However, Duolingo question types with examples remain consistent, and practicing with similar questions improves accuracy and confidence in answering.
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Q. How much should I write in the writing sample?
Ans. The ideal Duolingo writing sample length is at least 50 words, but aiming for 80-100 words ensures a well-developed answer. Writing too little may lower your grammar and vocabulary score, while excessively long responses might lead to more errors.
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Q. Can I prepare for DET using IELTS/TOEFL material?
Ans. Yes, IELTS and TOEFL materials can help with grammar, vocabulary, and writing structure, but they may not match the question style of Duolingo. Focusing on Duolingo English Test practice questions ensures that you’re familiar with its unique format.
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Q. How can I practice the ‘Read and Select’ question type?
Ans. The Duolingo Read and Select practice involves choosing real words from a mix of real and fake words. To prepare, study English vocabulary, focus on word roots, prefixes, and suffixes, and practice with Duolingo’s official exercises.
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Q. Can I see my writing sample score?
Ans. No, Duolingo does not show your exact writing sample score. However, you can estimate your performance by checking grammar, coherence, vocabulary range, and clarity in your response. Comparing with Duolingo writing samples with answers helps assess your level.
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Q. How can I find free Duolingo practice questions?
Ans. You can find free Duolingo practice questions on:
Duolingo’s official website (limited practice).
Educational websites that offer sample DET questions.
YouTube tutorials with Duolingo sample answers and strategies.
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