Duolingo English Dictation and Transcription Questions and Answers

Question 1

In the 'Listen, then Type' (Dictation) section of the Duolingo English Test, which of the following errors is penalized most heavily?

Accepted Answer

Omitting a word entirely.

Answer

According to the official Duolingo English Test scoring information, you will be penalized more for missing a word than for misspelling a word. Therefore, it is always better to attempt to type the word you hear, even if you are unsure of the spelling.

Question 2

A test taker is completing a 'Listen, then Type' question. After the first listen, they have typed most of the sentence but are unsure about one word and the final punctuation. What is the recommended strategy?

Accepted Answer

Use the remaining two replays to confirm the uncertain word and check for punctuation like commas and periods.

Answer

The test allows you to listen to the audio a total of three times. The best strategy is to use all available replays to ensure accuracy. The first listen is for capturing the bulk of the sentence, while the subsequent listens are for filling in gaps, correcting spelling, and confirming correct punctuation.

Question 3

Which of the following is a critical component for a high score in a 'Listen, then Type' dictation task?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring correct capitalization at the beginning of the sentence and proper ending punctuation.

Answer

Accurate transcription requires attention to detail, which includes correct punctuation and capitalization. Forgetting to capitalize the first letter or end with the correct punctuation (usually a period) will result in lost points. You must type exactly what you hear.

Question 4

During a 'Listen, then Type' item, you hear the phrase '...its effects on the economy...' but are unsure if the word is 'its' or 'it's'. What should your approach be?

Accepted Answer

Type your best guess based on the grammatical context and confirm during a replay.

Answer

Omitting a word is the most penalized error. Your best strategy is to make an educated guess based on the context ('its' is possessive, 'it's' means 'it is'). Then, use your remaining replays to listen carefully and confirm which form was spoken. It is better to have a misspelled or incorrect form of the word than to omit it entirely.

Question 5

A test taker is preparing for the dictation questions on the Duolingo English Test. Which practice method would be LEAST effective?

Accepted Answer

Memorizing lists of advanced and uncommon English vocabulary.

Answer

Dictation tasks test your listening comprehension, spelling, and punctuation of common English, not necessarily advanced or obscure vocabulary. While a good vocabulary is helpful for the test overall, simply memorizing lists is not a targeted or effective way to prepare for the specific skill of transcription. The other methods directly address the skills needed for this question type.

Duolingo Practice Test

Duolingo Practice Test

Duolingo English Dictation and Transcription Questions and Answers