All 19 Duolingo English Test Question Types for 2025

Last updated on 27 Feb 2025

The Duolingo English Test (DET) now has 19 different question types designed to assess your English proficiency. Knowing what to expect and how to approach each type is key to a high score. Below is a complete breakdown of each question type, their frequency, and how they impact your score.

Adaptive Questions

1. Read and Select

✅ Task: Identify if a displayed word is a real English word.
✅ Frequency: 16-18 times
✅ Time Limit: 5 seconds per word
✅ Scoring Impact: Literacy & Comprehension

Quickly decide if the word is real. If unsure, make an educated guess, as unanswered questions are marked incorrect.

2. Fill in the Blanks

✅ Task: Complete a sentence with the correct missing word.
✅ Frequency: 6-9 times
✅ Time Limit: 20 seconds per sentence
✅ Scoring Impact: Literacy & Comprehension

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Read the entire sentence first before choosing the missing word. Context clues will guide you.

3. Read and Complete

✅ Task: Fill in the missing letters of words in a paragraph.
✅ Time Limit: 3 minutes
✅ Scoring Impact: Literacy & Comprehension

Start by reading the first and last sentences to understand the context before filling in blanks.

4. Read Aloud

✅ Task: Record yourself reading a sentence aloud.
✅ Time Limit: 20 seconds
✅ Scoring Impact: Comprehension & Conversation

Practice reading the sentence aloud before recording. Speak clearly and naturally.

5. Listen and Type

✅ Task: Type the sentence you hear.
✅ Frequency: 6-9 times
✅ Time Limit: 1 minute per statement (3 chances to listen)
✅ Scoring Impact: Comprehension & Conversation

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On the first listen, type quickly. Use the second and third listens to correct any mistakes.

Speaking and Writing Questions

6. Speak About the Photo

✅ Task: Describe an image for up to 90 seconds.
✅ Frequency: Once
✅ Time Limit: 30-90 seconds
✅ Scoring Impact: Conversation & Production

Describe the most important elements first, then add details. Avoid long pauses.

7. Read Then Speak

✅ Task: Speak about a given topic for up to 90 seconds.
✅ Frequency: Once
✅ Time Limit: 30-90 seconds
✅ Scoring Impact: Conversation & Production

Use the 20 seconds of preparation to organize your thoughts. Have an introduction, main points, and a conclusion.

8. Listen Then Respond

✅ Task: Respond to a spoken question.
✅ Frequency: Twice
✅ Time Limit: 30-90 seconds
✅ Scoring Impact: Conversation & Production

Listen carefully and take mental notes. Structure your response logically and stay on topic.

The Complete Guide To The Duolingo English Test

9. Write About the Photo

✅ Task: Write a description of an image.
✅ Frequency: 3 times
✅ Time Limit: 1 minute
✅ Scoring Impact: Literacy & Production

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Start with the main elements, then add relevant details. Use descriptive language.

10. Writing Sample

✅ Task: Write about a detailed topic for 5 minutes.
✅ Frequency: Once
✅ Time Limit: 3-5 minutes
✅ Scoring Impact: Literacy & Production

Organize your response into paragraphs. Use varied vocabulary and sentence structures.

11. Speaking Sample

✅ Task: Speak about a detailed topic for up to 3 minutes.
✅ Frequency: Once
✅ Time Limit: 1-3 minutes
✅ Scoring Impact: Conversation & Production

Use the 30 seconds of preparation time wisely. Speak clearly, confidently, and stay organized.

Interactive Reading Questions

12. Complete the Sentences

✅ Task: Choose the best words to complete a sentence in a passage.
✅ Frequency: 6 questions
✅ Scoring Impact: Literacy & Comprehension

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Read the sentence carefully and use context clues to choose the right word.

13. Complete the Passage

✅ Task: Select the best sentences to fill in a passage.
✅ Frequency: 6 questions
✅ Scoring Impact: Literacy & Comprehension

Pay attention to the logical flow and coherence of the passage.

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14. Highlight the Answer

✅ Task: Highlight the correct text in a passage to answer a question.
✅ Frequency: 2 questions
✅ Scoring Impact: Literacy & Comprehension

Highlight only the exact words needed to answer the question.

15. Identify the Idea

✅ Task: Choose the statement that best represents the passage.
✅ Frequency: 1 question
✅ Scoring Impact: Literacy & Comprehension

Choose the option that best summarizes the main idea of the passage.

16. Title the Passage

✅ Task: Select the best title for a passage.
✅ Frequency: 1 question
✅ Scoring Impact: Literacy & Comprehension

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Pick a title that captures the main theme or focus of the passage.

Interactive Listening Questions

17. Listen and Respond

✅ Task: Engage in a simulated conversation.
✅ Frequency: Twice (one with a professor, one with a student)
✅ Time Limit: 4 minutes per conversation
✅ Scoring Impact: Comprehension & Conversation

Choose responses that match the tone and relationship of the conversation.

18. Summarize the Conversation

✅ Task: Summarize the conversation you just had.
✅ Frequency: Once per conversation
✅ Time Limit: 75 seconds
✅ Scoring Impact: Literacy & Production

Summarize key points and outcomes of the conversation concisely.

Interactive Writing Questions

19. Interactive Writing

✅ Task: Respond to a written prompt for 5 minutes, followed by a 3-minute follow-up response.
✅ Frequency: Once
✅ Time Limit: 5 minutes for the first response, 3 minutes for the follow-up
✅ Scoring Impact: Literacy & Production

Organize your thoughts clearly for both parts. Ensure the follow-up adds new details.

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