Master 8 Core Ideas to Speak Confidently on the Duolingo English Test

Feeling stuck when answering speaking prompts on the Duolingo English Test (DET)? You're not alone. Many test-takers practice endlessly, only to find themselves struggling with spontaneous responses. The secret isn’t in memorizing scripted answers—it’s in preparing adaptable core ideas that help you answer any question naturally.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to structure your responses using 8 fundamental concepts that will make speaking effortless and engaging.

Why Core Ideas Are the Key to Success

The DET speaking section doesn’t just test pronunciation and fluency—it evaluates how well you can develop ideas and express them clearly. This means relying on scripted answers won’t help much, especially if the question doesn’t match what you’ve memorized.

Instead, the best way to prepare is to focus on common themes that you can easily expand on from personal experience. These 8 core ideas cover broad topics you can naturally talk about, no matter the prompt.

✅ More natural responses
✅ Less stress when answering
✅ Stronger fluency and coherence

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The 8 Core Ideas for the DET Speaking Section

Each of these core ideas represents a flexible topic that can be applied to different types of speaking prompts. Mastering them will give you the confidence to quickly structure your answers and speak fluently.

1️⃣ A Book You Enjoy 📖

Talking about a book you've read helps showcase your ability to describe and explain ideas. Be ready to discuss the book’s theme, why you liked it, and what you learned from it.

💡 Example: “One of my favorite books is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s an inspiring story about following your dreams and overcoming obstacles. I connected with the theme of perseverance and found it truly motivating.”

2️⃣ Your Favorite Hobby 🎨

Hobbies are easy to talk about because they’re personal and engaging. Discuss what you do, how long you've been doing it, and why you enjoy it.

💡 Example: “I love photography. I started taking photos five years ago, and it helps me capture beautiful moments. I enjoy experimenting with different styles, especially nature photography.”

3️⃣ A Person You Admire 👩‍🏫

Describe someone who has influenced your life—a teacher, a friend, a family member, or even a public figure. Explain what makes them special and how they’ve impacted you.

💡 Example: “My high school English teacher inspired me to love literature. She encouraged me to read widely and helped me improve my writing skills, which I still use today.”

4️⃣ A Subject You Enjoyed in School 📚

Talking about a school subject is an easy way to expand on interests and future goals. Explain why you liked it and how it has influenced you.

💡 Example: “My favorite subject in school was history. I loved learning about different cultures and historical events. It also helped me develop critical thinking skills.”

5️⃣ Your Dream Job 💭

Career-related prompts are common on the DET. Prepare an answer about your current job or your dream career, including why it interests you.

💡 Example: “I want to become a software developer because I love problem-solving. Writing code allows me to build things from scratch, which is both challenging and exciting.”

6️⃣ A Place You’ve Visited 🌍

Describing a memorable place is great for practicing descriptive language. Talk about a city, landmark, or vacation that left an impression on you.

💡 Example: “I once visited Kyoto, Japan, and it was an unforgettable experience. The historic temples, peaceful gardens, and traditional food made it one of my favorite trips.”

7️⃣ A Memorable Childhood Experience 🌟

Sharing a childhood memory helps demonstrate your ability to narrate past events. Choose a meaningful experience and explain why it’s important to you.

💡 Example: “I remember the first time I rode a bicycle. It took me a few tries, but once I learned, I felt a sense of freedom. That experience taught me resilience.”

8️⃣ A Holiday in Your Country 🎉

National holidays or festivals make great cultural discussion topics. Be ready to talk about how it’s celebrated and what it means to you.

💡 Example: “In my country, we celebrate Lunar New Year with family gatherings, traditional food, and fireworks. It’s a time to reflect and look forward to the year ahead.”

How to Use Core Ideas in Your DET Answers

One of the biggest challenges in the Duolingo English Test is not knowing what question will appear. Unlike memorized answers that might not fit the prompt, core ideas act as universal building blocks—you can adapt them to a wide range of questions without losing coherence or fluency.

The key is training yourself to recognize how different prompts can connect to one of your prepared core ideas.

Let’s break this down with real examples and strategies for adapting your answers effectively.

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🔄 Reusing Core Ideas for Different Questions

Imagine you’ve practiced talking about your favorite book, and you receive a question like:

❓ "Talk about an event that changed your perspective."

At first glance, this might seem unrelated to books—but if you've prepared to discuss a book that taught you an important lesson, you can easily repurpose that answer.

💡 Example Response:
"A book that changed my perspective is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Before reading it, I believed success was only about working hard and following a strict path. However, this book taught me that success is also about embracing unexpected opportunities and trusting the journey. It completely changed how I view my personal and professional goals."

➡ Why this works: Instead of forcing a new answer, you modify your core idea to fit the question. The book becomes "an event" that changed your perspective.

🎯 Turning Personal Experiences into Universal Responses

Sometimes, questions may ask you to discuss skills, experiences, or qualities you admire in others. You can use the same core ideas in creative ways.

🔹 Question: "Describe a skill you've developed over time."
🔹 Core Idea: Hobby (e.g., playing an instrument, painting, coding, cooking)

💡 Example Response:
"One skill I’ve developed over time is playing the piano. When I first started, I struggled to coordinate both hands, and it was frustrating. But through consistent practice, I learned to read music and improve my technique. Now, playing the piano helps me relax, and it has taught me the importance of patience and persistence."

➡ Why this works: Even if the question is about skills, you can use hobbies as an answer since hobbies naturally involve skill development.

🏆 One Story, Multiple Uses

You don’t need 20 different stories for 20 different prompts—you need a few versatile stories that cover multiple themes.

Here’s an example of how one core idea can fit several different questions.

Core Idea: A person you admire (e.g., your grandfather)

1️⃣ "What do you think makes a good leader?"

• "My grandfather is the best example of a great leader. He built his own business from scratch and always put his employees first. He taught me that leadership is about responsibility and inspiring others."

2️⃣ "Describe a person who has influenced you."

• "My grandfather has had a huge impact on my life. He always encouraged me to work hard and be kind to others. Because of him, I strive to be a better person every day."

3️⃣ "Talk about a challenge you overcame."

• "When I was struggling with math in high school, my grandfather helped me believe in myself. He taught me that challenges are just temporary, and with effort, I could improve. His support helped me succeed."

➡ Why this works: By choosing a person who embodies multiple values, you can reframe your response for different prompts while keeping it authentic.

📝 How to Practice Connecting Core Ideas to Prompts

To build this skill, practice the following:

🔹 Step 1: Pick one of your core ideas.
🔹 Step 2: Challenge yourself to answer at least three different DET-style questions using that idea.
🔹 Step 3: Record yourself and listen back—does your answer still feel natural and relevant?

🚀 Final Thoughts: The Power of Core Ideas in the DET

By mastering a set of adaptable core ideas, you’ll never feel caught off guard in the DET speaking section. Instead of memorizing dozens of answers, focus on developing deep, versatile responses that can be repurposed across different topics.

🔹 Less stress on test day
🔹 More confidence in your speaking ability
🔹 Faster thinking and response time

The bottom line? A well-prepared set of core ideas acts as your secret weapon to handle any speaking prompt fluently and effectively. 🎤✨