English Tests
Duolingo English Test (DET)
Speaking-first preparation — learn the frameworks, practise with real question types, and build fluency under timed conditions. Each task type includes a timer, sample structure, and rescue phrases.
Speaking 1
Interactive Speaking
35 sec · per questionYou'll have a short AI conversation — 6 to 8 questions, 35 seconds each. The key is to respond immediately and keep talking. Natural and continuous beats perfect and silent.
Framework
R.E.A.C.T — Answer in 5 moves
R
Respond directly
Answer right away — no long pauses.
E
Explain
Give one clear reason.
A
Add detail
An example, feeling, or personal experience.
C
Connect
Link to life, society, or the future.
T
Transition naturally
"Actually…", "To be honest…", "For example…"
Practice Questions — 35 seconds each
What do you usually do during weekends?
0:35
Speaking
Describe your ideal vacation.
0:35
Speaking
How do you handle stressful situations at work or school?
0:35
Speaking
What's your favourite app and why?
0:35
Speaking
Tell me about a meaningful childhood memory.
0:35
Speaking
How has technology changed the way you communicate?
0:35
Speaking
What are your goals for the next five years?
0:35
Speaking
Describe someone who has had a positive influence on your life.
0:35
Speaking
What is something you're passionate about, and why?
0:35
Speaking
How do you feel about living in a big city versus a small town?
0:35
Speaking
How do you stay motivated when things get difficult?
0:35
Speaking
What would you do if you had a completely free day with no obligations?
0:35
Speaking
What kind of food do you enjoy the most, and why?
0:35
Speaking
Describe a place you have visited that left a strong impression on you.
0:35
Speaking
How do you usually spend time with your family or close friends?
0:35
Speaking
Do you prefer working alone or in a team? Why?
0:35
Speaking
What is something new you have learned recently — inside or outside of school?
0:35
Speaking
What do you think makes a good friendship?
0:35
Speaking
How do you feel about learning English, and what is the most challenging part for you?
0:35
Speaking
If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you ask them?
0:35
Speaking
What is one habit you have that you think positively affects your life?
0:35
Speaking
How do you usually relax after a long or difficult day?
0:35
Speaking
What kind of music do you enjoy, and how does it make you feel?
0:35
Speaking
Describe a moment when you felt really proud of yourself.
0:35
Speaking
What is something you wish you had more time for in your daily life?
0:35
Speaking
Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert? How does that affect your daily life?
0:35
Speaking
What is your opinion on social media — do you think it brings people closer or pushes them apart?
0:35
Speaking
What is the best advice someone has ever given you?
0:35
Speaking
How important is physical health to you, and what do you do to stay healthy?
0:35
Speaking
What is one thing about your culture or country that you are proud of?
0:35
Speaking
Fluency rescue phrases — use these when you need a moment
- "That's an interesting question. I think…"
- "There are several reasons for that. First of all…"
- "From my personal experience…"
- "One example that comes to mind is…"
- "To be honest, I feel that…"
- "Actually, when I think about it…"
Speaking 2
Photo Description
20 sec prep · 90 sec speakingYou'll see a photo and have 20 seconds to prepare, then 90 seconds to describe it. Use your prep time to plan your G.S.S structure — don't waste it thinking about grammar.
Framework
G.S.S — Describe in 3 layers
G
General Description
What is happening overall? Set the scene.
S
Specific Details
People, objects, actions, clothing, emotions, colours.
S
Speculation
What might happen next? Why are they there? What does the scene suggest?
Sample Structure (outdoor gathering)
"This photo shows a group of people eating together outdoors. In the centre of the image, there is a woman smiling while holding a plate of food. The atmosphere seems very relaxed and friendly — everyone appears to be enjoying themselves. This could be a family gathering or a celebration of some kind. Based on the setting, I think it might be a summer afternoon, and the people are probably close friends or relatives."Practice Scenarios — 20 sec prep + 90 sec speaking
A busy outdoor market in the morning — describe the scene, the people, and what might happen next.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
Two colleagues having a discussion in a modern open-plan office.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
A family having a picnic in a park on a sunny day.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
A student studying alone in a library late at night.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
A street performer entertaining a large crowd in a city square.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
A chef preparing food in a restaurant kitchen surrounded by equipment.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
Children playing together in a colourful playground.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
Two friends catching up over coffee at a cosy café.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
A person presenting data to a group of colleagues in a meeting room.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
An elderly couple walking together along a path in a park.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
A busy airport departure terminal with travellers waiting for their flights.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
A teacher explaining a topic at the whiteboard while students take notes.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
A person exercising at a gym with various equipment around them.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
A shopper browsing the aisles of a well-stocked supermarket.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
A doctor consulting with a patient in a medical clinic.
0:20
Prep 20s
Speak 90s
Vocabulary Bank
People: elderly woman · teenager · office worker · tourist · bystander
Actions: chatting · purchasing · celebrating · gesturing · glancing
Atmosphere: crowded · peaceful · lively · tense · vibrant · serene
Emotions: overwhelmed · relieved · joyful · focused · exhausted
Speaking 3
Read, then Speak
20 sec read · 90 sec speakingYou'll read a prompt for 20 seconds, then speak for up to 90 seconds. Use the O.R.E.O structure for your core opinion, then expand with PPF (Past → Present → Future) to fill your time naturally.
Framework
O.R.E.O + PPF Expansion
O
Opinion
State your position clearly at the start.
R
Reason
Give one or two reasons why you think that.
E
Example
A personal or real-world example to illustrate.
O
Opinion Restated
Wrap it up and restate your view.
PPF
Past → Present → Future
Expand: how it was before, how it is now, and what you expect next.
Sample Response (Social Media)
"I think social media is beneficial in many ways. One reason is that it allows people to communicate easily across long distances. For example, students can collaborate online and share educational resources. Overall, I believe social media is useful if people use it responsibly. In the past, communication was much slower because people relied on letters or phone calls. Nowadays, communication is almost instant. In the future, social media will probably become even more integrated into education and business."Practice Prompts — 20 sec read + 90 sec speaking
"Do you think working from home is better than working in an office?"
0:20
Read 20s
Speak 90s
"Is it important for children to learn a second language at a young age?"
0:20
Read 20s
Speak 90s
"Do you think social media has a positive or negative effect on society?"
0:20
Read 20s
Speak 90s
"Is technology making people less creative?"
0:20
Read 20s
Speak 90s
"Do you believe that university education is necessary for success?"
0:20
Read 20s
Speak 90s
"Should cities invest more in public transportation or in private car infrastructure?"
0:20
Read 20s
Speak 90s
"Is it important for people to travel to other countries?"
0:20
Read 20s
Speak 90s
"Should people be required to volunteer in their communities?"
0:20
Read 20s
Speak 90s
Advanced language moves
- "Although technology is helpful, it can also be distracting." (Contrast)
- "To some extent, I agree, however…" (Qualification)
- "It depends on the situation, but generally…" (Nuance)
- "On a personal level… / On a societal level…" (Layered example)
Speaking 4
Speaking Sample
1 – 3 minutesThis is your longest response — a 1 to 3 minute spoken answer sent directly to universities. The goal is to keep speaking for the full time without stopping, using P.E.A.K to structure your response.
Framework
P.E.A.K — Build a complete argument
P
Position
State your main idea or opinion clearly.
E
Explanation
Why? What is the reasoning behind your position?
A
Application
Real-life examples — personal story, local, or global.
K
Key Takeaway
A final insight or reflection to close strongly.
Expansion Ladder — when you're running out of ideas, add:
A personal example
A comparison
An advantage
A disadvantage
A future prediction
A social impact
Practice Prompts — 1, 2, or 3 minutes
Describe a challenge you overcame and what it taught you.
1:00
What is the most important quality for a leader to have?
1:00
How has your hometown changed over the years?
1:00
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
1:00
What role does education play in your life or in society?
1:00
If you could change one thing about your country, what would it be and why?
1:00
Describe a skill you would like to learn and explain why.
1:00
Speaking 5
Interactive Listening + Oral Summary
Listen → 90 sec summaryYou'll listen to a short conversation, then summarise it out loud in 90 seconds. You do not need to repeat everything — use S.U.M to capture only the essential points.
Framework
S.U.M — Three-part oral summary
S
Situation
What is the conversation about? Who is speaking?
U
Important Updates
Key details, decisions, problems, or facts mentioned.
M
Main Outcome
What was the final conclusion, decision, or result?
Sample Summary
"The conversation was mainly about organising a school event. The speakers discussed scheduling problems and budget concerns. In the end, they decided to move the event to a later date and look for additional sponsors."Practice Scenarios — read, then summarise in 90 seconds
Scenario: Two colleagues are planning a company team event. They disagree on the venue — one prefers an indoor conference room, the other wants an outdoor park. They eventually agree to book the park but arrange a backup indoor option in case of rain.
1:30
Speaking
Scenario: Two students are discussing a group project due next week. One has already finished their section, but the other is behind because of a family emergency. They agree to meet on Saturday to help each other finalise the work before the deadline.
1:30
Speaking
Scenario: A manager and an employee are discussing quarterly performance. The manager praises the employee's client relationships but notes that report submissions have been consistently late. The employee explains they have been managing an extra project and asks for deadline flexibility for the next quarter.
1:30
Speaking
Scenario: Two friends are planning a holiday trip to Japan. They want to go in spring for the cherry blossoms but discover flights are significantly more expensive than expected. They decide to go in autumn instead and split the cost of accommodation by sharing a room.
1:30
Speaking
Summary starters
- "The conversation was mainly about…"
- "The speakers were discussing…"
- "The main issue or concern raised was…"
- "In the end, they decided to / agreed that…"
- "The key details mentioned were… and…"
How the DET Speaking Is Scored
Every speaking task is evaluated on six dimensions. Keep these in mind — especially Fluency and Content.
Content
Did you answer the question fully and stay on topic?
Coherence
Were your ideas organised and easy to follow?
Grammar
Mostly accurate structures — a few errors are fine.
Lexis
Varied vocabulary — avoid repeating the same words.
Fluency
Smooth, continuous delivery — silence hurts your score.
Pronunciation
Clear and understandable — a native accent is not required.
Fluency & Anti-Freeze Training
The golden rule: never stop talking. Imperfect English spoken continuously scores higher than a perfect sentence after a long pause.
Repeat & expand
"I think technology is useful. Especially nowadays because people rely on it for…"
Give an example
"For instance, when I was at university, I noticed that…"
Compare to the past
"Compared to ten years ago, things have changed significantly because…"
Speculate about the future
"In the future, I think this will probably become even more…"
Acknowledge another view
"Although some people might disagree, I still believe that…"
Self-correct calmly
"Sorry, what I meant to say is…" or "Actually, to be more specific…"