Duolingo English Test Speaking Questions: Practical Tips for Success
The Duolingo English Test (DET) speaking tasks can be intimidating, especially when you're expected to talk continuously for 90 seconds. In this guide, we'll go over three major speaking question types:
- Read Then Speak 🗣️
- Listen Then Speak 🎧
- Speak About the Photo 📸
Each section includes step-by-step methods, example responses, and practical tips to boost your confidence and fluency. Let’s go! 🚀
Read Then Speak: Core Ideas
What Is It?
In this task, you will read a short prompt and then speak about it for up to 90 seconds. The challenge? Keeping your speech flowing smoothly without hesitation.
How to Prepare
The best way to stay on track is to prepare core ideas—universal topics that you can easily adapt to almost any prompt.
Here are eight core ideas that can help you build structured responses:
- Book 📖 – A book that influenced you.
- Hobby 🎨 – Something you love doing.
- Person 👨🏫 – Someone who inspires you.
- Subject 📚 – A favorite subject from school.
- Job 💼 – A career goal or dream job.
- Place 🌍 – A memorable trip or location.
- Memory 🌟 – A childhood or life-changing moment.
- Holiday 🎉 – A cultural or national holiday you celebrate.
Sample Question & Answer
❓ Question: Describe a memorable event from your childhood.
✅ Strong Answer:
"One memorable event from my childhood was when I first learned to ride a bike. At first, I kept falling, but I didn’t give up. My parents were cheering for me, and after several attempts, I finally balanced and rode down the street. It was an amazing feeling of freedom! This experience taught me an important lesson about persistence—if you keep trying, you will eventually succeed."
Read Then Speak: 5-Step Process
1️⃣ Start with the question – Restate the prompt to introduce your answer.
2️⃣ Who, What, Where, When, Why – Answer the key details to expand your response.
3️⃣ Use Core Ideas – Link your answer to a prepared core idea for structure.
4️⃣ Add Details & Examples – Include extra information to stretch your response to 90 seconds.
5️⃣ Conclusion – Summarize your thoughts in a closing sentence.
How to Consistently Score 140 on the Duolingo English Test 🎯
Listen Then Speak: Understanding the Controlling Idea
What Is It?
For this task, you listen to a question and then speak for 90 seconds.
Tip: To succeed, identify two key elements in the question:
- The Topic: What is the question about?
- The Controlling Idea: What is the specific focus?
For example:
❓ "How can schools encourage students to stay healthy?"
- Topic: School and student health
- Controlling Idea: Encouraging healthy habits
How to Answer
1️⃣ Identify the Topic – Clearly state what the question is asking.
2️⃣ Expand on the Controlling Idea – Offer reasons and explanations.
3️⃣ Give Examples – Use personal experiences or observations.
4️⃣ Summarize in a Conclusion – Wrap up your response smoothly.
✅ Sample Answer:
"Schools can promote healthy habits by adding more physical education classes. In my school, we had daily 30-minute exercise sessions, which helped improve focus and energy. Additionally, schools can provide healthier cafeteria options to encourage better eating habits. Promoting student health creates a more balanced and productive learning environment."
Speak About the Photo: 5-Step Method 📸
What Is It?
You will be shown a random image and must describe it for 90 seconds.
The 5-Step Approach 🔍
1️⃣ Summary – Briefly describe what you see.
2️⃣ Location & Description – Mention specific details in the image.
3️⃣ If I Were There… – Imagine yourself in the scene.
4️⃣ This Reminds Me Of… – Connect it to a personal experience.
5️⃣ Speculation – Make a guess about what’s happening.
Sample Question & Answer
❓ Question: Describe a time you visited a busy city.
✅ Strong Answer:
"One trip that stands out is my visit to New York City. The streets were filled with people, the sounds of honking taxis, and bright billboards everywhere. I remember visiting Times Square, where I felt the energy of the city. We also took a walk through Central Park, which was a peaceful escape from the crowded streets. It was an unforgettable trip that gave me a glimpse of life in one of the busiest cities in the world."
The Complete Guide To The Duolingo English Test
Final Thoughts: Practice & Confidence 💪
To succeed in the DET speaking section:
✅ Practice with core ideas – Have a few topics prepared to adapt to different prompts.
✅ Follow a structured approach – Use the 5-step methods for clear responses.
✅ Speak naturally – Avoid memorization and focus on fluency.
The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become. Keep going, and you’ll be ready for any speaking question the Duolingo English Test throws at you!
