6 Tips for Excelling in the "Read and Select" Question: Duolingo English Test

Master the Read and Select section of the Duolingo English Test with these essential strategies. Learn how to recognize real words, avoid guessing, understand word categories, practice under time constraints, utilize dictionary tools, and double-check your answers to improve accuracy and confidence.

1️⃣ Understanding Real English Words

The Read and Select question on the Duolingo English Test (DET) requires you to identify real English words from a list that includes both real and made-up words. To succeed:

✅ Choose words with clear meanings. If a word is found in a dictionary, it’s real.
❌ Avoid fake words. If you’re unsure of a word’s meaning, it’s likely incorrect.
🔎 Develop a strong vocabulary. The more words you know, the easier this section becomes.

2️⃣ Avoid Guessing

Guessing can be dangerous in the DET since selecting incorrect words will reduce your overall score.

🚫 Why you shouldn’t guess:

• Some fake words look convincing because they resemble real ones.
• A wrong answer will lower your accuracy score.
• The DET is adaptive, meaning mistakes may make future questions harder.

✅ What you should do instead:

• Select only words you are 100% certain are real.
• If you’re unsure, it’s safer to leave the word unselected than to guess incorrectly.

Pro Tip: Trust your instincts, but never select a word unless you are absolutely confident it exists!

3️⃣ Think About the Word Category

Every word in English belongs to a category (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc.), and understanding these helps you make better choices in the Read and Select question.

📌 How to use word categories to your advantage:
✔️ Recognize common prefixes and suffixes to spot real words.
✔️ Break the word down—does it resemble familiar words with a similar function?
✔️ Consider the word’s context and use in a sentence.

Pro Tip: Learning word roots and common English word structures will help you identify real words quickly.

4️⃣ Practice with Time Limits

The DET is strictly timed, and the Read and Select question doesn’t give you much time to analyze every word deeply. The key is speed and accuracy.

⏳ How to practice under time constraints:

• Set a timer for practice questions to simulate test conditions.
• Use platforms like DET Study for real-time exercises.
• Practice identifying words in 5 seconds or less per question.

5️⃣ Utilize Dictionary Functionality

Expanding your vocabulary is essential for excelling in the Read and Select section. To do this, leverage dictionary tools and language resources.

📖 Best resources to use:
✔️ Merriam-Webster & Cambridge Dictionary – Find word definitions & examples.
✔️ Thesaurus.com – Discover synonyms & word variations.
✔️ DET Study Platform – Provides interactive word-learning exercises.

Pro Tip: Make a word list of unfamiliar words and review them daily to increase retention!

6️⃣ Double-Check Your Answers

Before submitting, always review your selections carefully if you have extra time.

👀 Why checking your work is important:
✔️ Ensures you haven’t accidentally selected a fake word.
✔️ Helps you spot real words you might have missed.
✔️ Increases overall accuracy and confidence.

🎯 Prepare for the DET with DET Study

At DET Study, we provide AI-scored practice questions, expert feedback, and proven strategies to help you boost your Duolingo English Test score.

💡 What you get with DET Study:
✅ 15,100+ practice questions modeled after the real test.
✅ Time-tracking exercises for Read and Select.
✅ AI-powered scoring to measure progress.
✅ Custom study plans to maximize your potential.

🚀 Start preparing today with DET Study and take your test performance to the next level!