Elevate Your Writing for the Duolingo English Test: Proven Techniques for Success

Feeling overwhelmed by the writing tasks? You're not alone! The DET evaluates your ability to write with clarity, complexity, and relevance. Let's take a look at each writing task, provide examples, and show you how to maximize your score.

1. Write About the Photo

The Write About the Photo task requires you to describe an image. While it may sound simple, basic sentences won’t get you high marks. Instead, use complex sentence structures to showcase your grammatical range.

Example:

❌ Basic sentence:
A man is standing near the street.

✅ Improved sentence:
A man, dressed in black clothing, is standing near a street crosswalk, across from another man who is also wearing black.

🔹 Pro Tip: Add dependent clauses and descriptive details to enhance grammatical complexity.

2. Summarize the Conversation

This task asks you to summarize a conversation in three sentences. You’ll read a short dialogue and must capture its main points concisely.

Quick Summary Formula:

• Who did you talk to?
• What did they say?
• How did you respond?

✅ Good summary:
"I spoke with my economics professor about grading an essay. He advised me to assess it based on the criteria we discussed. I agreed with his advice and thanked him for the clarification."

3. Interactive Writing

The Interactive Writing task on the Duolingo English Test (DET) is one of the most challenging sections. Unlike the shorter writing tasks, this one requires you to respond to two prompts in succession while maintaining clarity, structure, and relevance. Here’s how it works and how to maximize your score.

Rules for the Interactive Writing Task

1️⃣ First Response: You will have 5 minutes to answer the initial question.
2️⃣ Follow-Up Response: After submitting your first response, you will receive a related follow-up question, which must be answered within 3 minutes.
3️⃣ No Word Limit: You can write as much as you want, but quality matters more than quantity—keep it relevant!
4️⃣ AI Evaluation: Your writing is scored based on task relevance, coherence, grammatical complexity, and vocabulary sophistication.

How to Structure Your Response

Since you have limited time, it's crucial to structure your answer effectively so you don’t waste valuable seconds. Follow this approach:

First Response (5 Minutes) – Structured Answer

This is your main response, so take your time to provide a well-developed answer. Here’s a simple structure:

1️⃣ Introduction: Start with a clear statement that answers the question.
2️⃣ Reason 1: Provide your first supporting reason with an example.
3️⃣ Reason 2: Add a second reason to strengthen your argument.
4️⃣ Conclusion: Summarize your main points in one final sentence.

✅ Example Question: “Do you prefer to do things quickly or slowly? Why?”

❌ Weak Response:
"I like doing things slowly."

✅ Stronger Response:
"I prefer doing things slowly because it allows me to focus on details and avoid mistakes. For instance, when I take my time with projects, I produce better results because I can review my work thoroughly. Additionally, working at a steady pace reduces stress and helps me stay organized. Therefore, I believe that taking things slowly leads to better outcomes."

🔹 Why is this a better response?

• It directly answers the question in the first sentence.
• It provides two supporting reasons (focus on details, reduced stress).
• It ends with a conclusion that reinforces the main point.

Follow-Up Response (3 Minutes) – Expanding Your Answer

The follow-up question will build on your first response, requiring you to elaborate or add new insights. You only have 3 minutes, so stay focused and concise.

✅ Follow-Up Question Example:
"Can you describe a time when doing something slowly benefited you?"

❌ Weak Response:
"One time, I did my homework slowly, and it was good."

✅ Stronger Response:
"One time, I spent extra time proofreading an important essay for school. Initially, I was tempted to submit it quickly, but I decided to review it carefully instead. As a result, I noticed several grammar mistakes and restructured my ideas for better clarity. When I received my grade, I was glad I had taken my time, as I ended up scoring higher than expected."

🔹 Why is this a strong response?

• It expands on the initial argument (slow work leads to better results).
• It uses a personal example to make the response more engaging.
• It follows a clear progression (situation → decision → outcome).

4. The Writing Sample

The Writing Sample isn't scored but is sent to universities, so make a strong impression with well-structured responses.

4-Step Writing Structure:

1️⃣ Introduction – State your opinion or thesis
2️⃣ First reason – Support with an example
3️⃣ Second reason – Provide another example
4️⃣ Conclusion – Summarize key points

Duolingo English Test Speaking Questions: Practical Tips for Success

Example:

Prompt: What is something that you think every person needs in order to be happy? Explain the reasons for your choice.

✅ Strong response:
"One thing that I believe every person needs in order to be happy is meaningful relationships. Human beings are inherently social creatures, and having strong, supportive connections with others significantly contributes to overall happiness.

Firstly, meaningful relationships provide emotional support. During difficult times, having friends or family members to lean on can make challenges more manageable and less isolating. For example, sharing one's worries with a close friend can provide comfort and new perspectives that ease stress.

Secondly, these relationships offer a sense of belonging and acceptance. Knowing that there are people who care about and appreciate us fosters a sense of security and self-worth. This can enhance one's confidence and motivation in other areas of life, leading to greater fulfillment

In conclusion, meaningful relationships are essential for happiness because they offer emotional support and a sense of belonging. By nurturing these connections, individuals can experience greater joy, resilience, and overall life satisfaction."

🔹 Pro Tip: Use varied vocabulary and complex sentences to impress admissions officers. 🎓

The Power of Complex Sentences

Writing longer, more detailed sentences boosts your score significantly.

Example:

❌ Simple sentence:
"A man is walking down a road."

✅ Better version:
"A middle-aged man, dressed in a blue shirt, is strolling down a rural road, while a deserted town and mountains loom in the background."

🔹 Pro Tip: Combining simple ideas into multi-clause sentences enhances your grammatical complexity score.

AI Scoring on the Duolingo English Test

The DET uses AI models trained by experts to evaluate your writing based on three factors:

🔹 Grammatical Complexity – Sentence variety and structure
🔹 Lexical Sophistication – Use of advanced vocabulary
🔹 Task Relevance – Staying on topic and fully answering the prompt

Wrapping It Up

Mastering the Duolingo English Test writing section requires strategy and practice. Focus on complex sentences, task relevance, and structured responses to maximize your score.

Quick Recap to Boost Your Score:

✅ Use complex sentence structures
✅ Stay on task—avoid unrelated details
✅ Incorporate advanced vocabulary
✅ Practice timed writing exercises

By following these strategies, you'll boost your DET writing score and improve your chances of getting into your dream university!

Start practicing today and aim for the highest score possible!