Duolingo English Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What are stem-changing verbs in Spanish and why are they challenging for learners?

Verbs that change their infinitive ending
Verbs that only exist in the infinitive
Verbs whose stem vowel changes in certain conjugated forms (e→ie, o→ue, e→i) (Correct answer)
Verbs that have no past tense form

Correct answer: Verbs whose stem vowel changes in certain conjugated forms (e→ie, o→ue, e→i)

Stem-changing verbs change their root vowel when stressed: pensar→pienso (e→ie), dormir→duermo (o→ue), pedir→pido (e→i). The change occurs in all present tense forms except nosotros and vosotros, creating an irregular pattern that must be memorized.

Question 2: Identify the correctly punctuated sentence.

Although it was raining; we continued the hike.
Although it was raining, we continued the hike. (Correct answer)
Although it was raining we continued the hike.
Although, it was raining we continued the hike.

Correct answer: Although it was raining, we continued the hike.

A comma is required after an introductory subordinate clause before the main clause.

Question 3: In the 'Speak About the Photo' task, a test taker sees an image of a busy marketplace. Which response strategy would score highest?

Describing the scene, people, activities, colors, and possible location with varied vocabulary (Correct answer)
Simply saying 'This is a marketplace'
Describing only one person in extreme detail
Counting the number of people visible in the image

Correct answer: Describing the scene, people, activities, colors, and possible location with varied vocabulary

A comprehensive description covering multiple aspects of the image demonstrates vocabulary range, descriptive ability, and organized thinking. This approach naturally produces longer, more complex speech that scores well across all speaking criteria.

Question 4: In a listening scenario where two speakers are having a disagreement, what aspect of the conversation is most important to identify?

The grammatical structures used by each speaker
Which speaker talks more
The specific point of disagreement and each person's position (Correct answer)
The speed at which each person speaks

Correct answer: The specific point of disagreement and each person's position

Understanding the core point of disagreement and each speaker's position demonstrates high-level listening comprehension. This skill is essential for following complex conversations and formulating appropriate responses.

Question 5: After reading a DET passage about climate change, you are asked: 'What conclusion can be drawn about global temperatures?' What should your answer be based on?

Your personal beliefs about climate change
General knowledge that is not discussed in the passage
Information and evidence presented within the passage itself (Correct answer)
Recent news headlines you have read on the topic

Correct answer: Information and evidence presented within the passage itself

Conclusion questions in the DET require drawing inferences based solely on information provided within the passage, not outside knowledge.

Question 6: In the 'Summarize the Conversation' part of the Interactive Listening scenario, what is the primary goal?

To transcribe the conversation verbatim.
To provide a detailed analysis of the speakers' grammar.
To offer a personal opinion on the topic discussed.
To concisely state the main points and outcome of the dialogue. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To concisely state the main points and outcome of the dialogue.

The 'Summarize the Conversation' task requires the test-taker to demonstrate comprehension by briefly writing about the main topic, key points, and the conclusion of the conversation they just participated in.

Question 7: How does the Duolingo English Test handle different English accents in the speaking section?

British English receives higher scores than other accents
Non-native accents are automatically penalized
All accents are accepted as long as speech is clearly intelligible (Correct answer)
Only standard American pronunciation is accepted

Correct answer: All accents are accepted as long as speech is clearly intelligible

The Duolingo English Test accepts all English accents and does not favor any particular variety. The key criterion is intelligibility — whether the speech can be clearly understood by English speakers. This reflects the global nature of English communication.

Question 8: What language is 'jestem'?

Japanese
German
Belgium
Polish (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Polish

'Jestem' is the first-person singular form of the verb 'to be' in Polish, directly translating to 'I am.' It is a fundamental word in Polish grammar and is distinct from how 'I am' is expressed in other languages like Japanese, German, or French. This word is a key indicator of the Polish language.

Question 9: Approximately how long does the full Duolingo English Test take to complete?

About 15 minutes
About 1 hour (Correct answer)
About 5 hours
About 3 hours

Correct answer: About 1 hour

The test takes roughly one hour, including the setup and interview sections.

Question 10: What happens if a test taker's microphone malfunctions during a speaking task on the Duolingo English Test?

The test taker receives full marks for the affected question
The speaking section is simply skipped
The test is immediately cancelled with a full refund
The test detects the issue and may prompt the test taker to check their equipment (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The test detects the issue and may prompt the test taker to check their equipment

The Duolingo English Test has equipment checks and may detect audio issues. If a microphone problem occurs, the system may prompt the test taker to verify their setup. This is why the pre-test equipment check is important.

Question 11: Which sentence correctly uses a reflexive verb in Spanish?

Ella levanta a las siete.
Ella se levanta a las siete. (Correct answer)
Ella le levanta a las siete.
Ella me levanta a las siete.

Correct answer: Ella se levanta a las siete.

'Levantarse' (to get up) is a reflexive verb, meaning the subject acts upon itself. Because the subject is 'ella,' the matching reflexive pronoun is 'se,' placed before the conjugated verb.

Question 12: In the dictation section, how does background noise or accent variation affect the scoring?

Background noise is intentionally added to increase difficulty
Audio clips may feature different accents but are always clear (Correct answer)
Test takers can request a different accent version
All audio clips use the same standardized American accent

Correct answer: Audio clips may feature different accents but are always clear

The Duolingo English Test may feature different accents in its audio clips to reflect real-world English usage, but the recordings are always clear and professionally produced. This tests the ability to understand various English accents.

Question 13: What is the impact of spelling errors on the writing section score of the Duolingo English Test?

Spelling errors have no impact at all
Only the first spelling error is penalized
Any spelling error results in zero marks for that response
Minor spelling errors slightly reduce the score while major errors have a larger impact (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Minor spelling errors slightly reduce the score while major errors have a larger impact

The scoring system weighs spelling errors proportionally. Minor errors (like 'recieve' for 'receive') have a small impact, while major errors that obscure meaning have a larger effect. Overall, content and organization matter more than perfect spelling.

Question 14: In a scenario where the spoken sentence in a dictation task is, 'Should we confirm the reservation?' what is a common mistake a test taker might make?

Ending the sentence with a period instead of a question mark. (Correct answer)
Spelling 'reservation' correctly.
Using a question mark at the end.
Typing 'Should we conform the reservation?'

Correct answer: Ending the sentence with a period instead of a question mark.

A common mistake is forgetting to use the correct punctuation that matches the sentence type. Since the spoken sentence is a question, it must end with a question mark. Using a period would be an error. While homophone confusion (like 'confirm' vs 'conform') can occur, incorrect ending punctuation is a frequent and costly error.

Question 15: When responding to a speaking prompt about a personal experience, which approach is most effective?

Focus entirely on grammar accuracy at the expense of natural speech
Provide a structured response with a clear beginning, development, and conclusion (Correct answer)
Give a one-word answer
Memorize and recite a prepared speech template

Correct answer: Provide a structured response with a clear beginning, development, and conclusion

A structured response that naturally develops an idea demonstrates both language proficiency and communication skills. Unlike memorized templates (which sound unnatural) or one-word answers (which show limited ability), a well-structured response showcases range.

Question 16: Read and Complete: 'He couldn't find his keys ___ he was already late.'

but
so (Correct answer)
or
and

Correct answer: so

'So' shows the result of not finding the keys.

Question 17: A test-taker is in a 'Listen and Respond' section. They select an answer choice but are told it is incorrect. Which of the following is the best action to take next?

Read the provided correct answer to understand the conversation's flow before proceeding. (Correct answer)
Guess randomly on the next question since they have already lost points.
Ignore the feedback and quickly move to the next question to save time.
Try to replay the audio clip, even though it is not possible in this section.

Correct answer: Read the provided correct answer to understand the conversation's flow before proceeding.

The Duolingo English Test provides the correct answer if you choose incorrectly in the 'Listen and Respond' section. Reading it is crucial for understanding the ongoing conversation, which is necessary to answer subsequent questions correctly and to write an accurate final summary.

Question 18: A test taker encounters an unfamiliar word during a 'Read Aloud' task. What is the best approach?

Attempt to pronounce it using known phonetic rules (Correct answer)
Skip the word entirely
Spell out the individual letters
Stop and restart the entire sentence

Correct answer: Attempt to pronounce it using known phonetic rules

Attempting to pronounce an unfamiliar word using known English phonetic rules demonstrates language competence. Skipping words or stopping entirely disrupts fluency, which negatively impacts the score more than an imperfect pronunciation.

Question 19: How should a test taker handle a listening scenario where the speaker talks very quickly?

Only listen to the first sentence
Focus on key words and the overall message rather than every word (Correct answer)
Request a slower playback speed
Panic and submit a blank response

Correct answer: Focus on key words and the overall message rather than every word

When facing rapid speech, focusing on key words and the overall message is the most effective strategy. This mirrors real-world listening where understanding the gist is often more important than catching every word.

Question 20: During a speaking task, how important is it to use a variety of sentence structures?

It does not matter as long as pronunciation is clear
Only simple sentences should be used to minimize errors
Using varied structures demonstrates higher proficiency and improves the score (Correct answer)
Complex sentences are only needed for scores above 130

Correct answer: Using varied structures demonstrates higher proficiency and improves the score

Sentence variety demonstrates grammatical range, a key indicator of language proficiency. Using a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences shows the test taker can communicate ideas with sophistication and flexibility.

Question 21: Which of the following best describes the cognitive process involved in completing a C-test item like 'edu_____' in context?

Pure memorization of word lists
Integration of orthographic, semantic, and syntactic knowledge (Correct answer)
Simple pattern matching without comprehension
Translation from native language

Correct answer: Integration of orthographic, semantic, and syntactic knowledge

Completing C-test items requires integrating multiple knowledge types: orthographic (spelling patterns), semantic (word meaning fitting context), and syntactic (grammatical appropriateness). This makes it an efficient measure of overall language proficiency.

Question 22: Which institutions commonly accept the Duolingo English Test?

No accredited universities
Only language schools
Only U.S. high schools
Thousands of universities and colleges worldwide (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Thousands of universities and colleges worldwide

Thousands of higher-education institutions globally accept DET scores for admissions.

Question 23: Choose the best word: "The instructions were ___, so everyone understood them easily."

confusing
clear (Correct answer)
hidden
broken

Correct answer: clear

If everyone understood easily, the instructions were "clear."

Question 24: A test-taker is working on a 'Highlight the Answer' question. The question asks, 'What was the primary reason for the company's success?' The passage contains the sentence: 'The company's unprecedented growth, which was a surprise to many analysts, was primarily due to its innovative marketing strategies and a deep understanding of its customer base.' Which part of the text should be highlighted?

The company's unprecedented growth, which was a surprise to many analysts
was primarily due to
The entire sentence.
innovative marketing strategies and a deep understanding of its customer base (Correct answer)

Correct answer: innovative marketing strategies and a deep understanding of its customer base

The 'Highlight the Answer' task requires you to be precise and select only the text that directly answers the question. Highlighting too much or too little information is incorrect. The question asks for the 'reason,' and the phrase 'innovative marketing strategies and a deep understanding of its customer base' directly states that reason.

Question 25: How does the Duolingo English Test dictation section differ from traditional IELTS listening dictation?

It only tests American English pronunciation
It requires typing exact sentences from short audio clips (Correct answer)
It uses longer passages with multiple sentences
It allows test takers to see a word bank

Correct answer: It requires typing exact sentences from short audio clips

Unlike IELTS which uses longer listening passages with fill-in-the-blank or multiple-choice formats, the Duolingo English Test dictation requires typing complete sentences from short audio clips, testing both listening accuracy and typing proficiency.

Question 26: A test taker replays the audio three times and is still unsure about one word in the middle of the sentence. What should they do next?

Type their best guess and submit the response (Correct answer)
Request additional replays from the system
Close the test and restart the section
Leave the word blank and submit

Correct answer: Type their best guess and submit the response

After using all three available replays, the test taker should type their best guess for the unclear word. Since no additional replays are available, an attempted spelling receives more credit than a blank space, and the test cannot be restarted mid-section.

Question 27: The rise of the industrial ci__________ at the time was largely fueled by advances in transportation.

city (Correct answer)
citizens
citizen
civil

Correct answer: city

The sentence refers to the growth of urban centers during the industrial revolution. 'City' is the appropriate term for a large, densely populated urban area. The rise of industrial cities was indeed a significant development fueled by advancements in transportation during that era.

Question 28: What is the recommended time management strategy for the interactive reading section?

Always use the maximum time allowed for each item
Rush through everything as quickly as possible
Move quickly through easy completions and use saved time for difficult ones (Correct answer)
Spend equal time on every blank regardless of difficulty

Correct answer: Move quickly through easy completions and use saved time for difficult ones

Efficient time management involves quickly completing easy items where the answer is immediately obvious and investing more time in challenging completions. This maximizes the number of correct responses within the time limit.

Question 29: In English, the Italian color 'rosso' is which of the following?

Red (Correct answer)
Yellow
Blue
Green

Correct answer: Red

'Rosso' translates to the color red.

Question 30: In the 'Read Aloud' section of the Duolingo English Test, what are the primary factors evaluated in the scoring?

Volume and microphone quality
Pronunciation clarity, fluency, and intonation (Correct answer)
Only speaking speed
Accent similarity to American English only

Correct answer: Pronunciation clarity, fluency, and intonation

The Read Aloud section evaluates pronunciation clarity (how understandable the speech is), fluency (smooth delivery without excessive pauses), and intonation (appropriate stress and rhythm). No specific accent is required.

Question 31: In Italian, what happens to direct object pronouns in the passato prossimo when using 'avere'?

Direct object pronouns cannot be used in the past tense
Nothing changes
The past participle must agree in gender and number with the direct object pronoun (Correct answer)
The auxiliary changes from 'avere' to 'essere'

Correct answer: The past participle must agree in gender and number with the direct object pronoun

When a direct object pronoun (lo, la, li, le) precedes a passato prossimo verb with 'avere,' the past participle must agree: 'Ho comprato le mele' → 'Le ho comprate' (I bought them). The '-e' ending agrees with the feminine plural 'le.'

Question 32: Which Italian sentence correctly uses the reflexive verb 'alzarsi' (to get up)?

Si alzo alle sette
Me alzo alle sette
Mi alzo alle sette (Correct answer)
Io alzo alle sette

Correct answer: Mi alzo alle sette

'Mi alzo' correctly pairs the first-person reflexive pronoun 'mi' with the first-person verb conjugation 'alzo.' Italian reflexive pronouns must match the subject: mi (io), ti (tu), si (lui/lei), ci (noi), vi (voi), si (loro).

Question 33: Complete the sentence: "If it rains tomorrow, we ___ stay home."

were
will (Correct answer)
had
would have

Correct answer: will

A first-conditional sentence uses "will" in the main clause.

Question 34: During an interactive listening scenario about making travel arrangements, a test taker hears conflicting information about departure times. What should they focus on?

The first time mentioned only
Both times equally without prioritizing either
Neither time, focusing instead on the destination
The last piece of information given, as it likely corrects earlier details (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The last piece of information given, as it likely corrects earlier details

In real conversations, speakers often correct themselves. The last piece of information typically represents the corrected or final detail. This tests the ability to track and update information as a conversation progresses.

Question 35: Read: "The museum is closed on Mondays but open every other day." When is the museum closed?

Every day
Mondays (Correct answer)
Weekends
Sundays

Correct answer: Mondays

The passage states the museum is closed on Mondays.

Question 36: What is the impact of long pauses during the speaking section of the Duolingo English Test?

They have no impact on the score
They only matter if longer than 10 seconds
They are encouraged for thoughtful responses
They reduce the fluency score and may indicate lack of confidence (Correct answer)

Correct answer: They reduce the fluency score and may indicate lack of confidence

Long or frequent pauses negatively affect the fluency component of the speaking score. While brief natural pauses are acceptable, extended silence suggests difficulty with the language and reduces the overall impression of speaking competence.

Question 37: Which English word matches the Italian 'famiglia'?

Factory
Family (Correct answer)
Festival
Forest

Correct answer: Family

'Famiglia' translates to family.

Question 38: To pronounce the word 'information' correctly, where should the primary stress be placed?

On the first syllable (IN-for-ma-tion)
On the second syllable (in-FOR-ma-tion)
On the fifth syllable (in-for-ma-TION)
On the fourth syllable (in-for-MA-tion) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: On the fourth syllable (in-for-MA-tion)

For English words ending in the suffix '-tion', the primary stress is placed on the syllable immediately preceding the suffix. In 'information', this is the fourth syllable, 'MA'.

Question 39: A test taker types 'The studnets went to the libary' when the audio said 'The students went to the library.' How would this likely be scored?

Zero marks due to multiple spelling errors
Partial credit for capturing all words despite misspellings (Correct answer)
The response would be flagged for review
Full marks because all words are present

Correct answer: Partial credit for capturing all words despite misspellings

The Duolingo English Test scoring prioritizes word capture over perfect spelling. While misspellings do reduce the score somewhat, having all words present with minor spelling errors receives partial credit, which is better than missing words entirely.

Question 40: A test taker realizes they made a grammatical error mid-sentence during a speaking task. What should they do?

Apologize for the error before continuing
Ignore it completely and keep going
Stop immediately and restart from the beginning
Naturally self-correct and continue speaking (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Naturally self-correct and continue speaking

Natural self-correction is a sign of language awareness and is viewed positively. It demonstrates that the speaker recognizes errors and can fix them, which is a higher-level language skill. Stopping entirely disrupts fluency.

Question 41: What happens if a test taker submits a completely blank response for a dictation question on the Duolingo English Test?

The question is repeated once more
The test is automatically invalidated
It receives the minimum possible score for that item (Correct answer)
The question is skipped without penalty

Correct answer: It receives the minimum possible score for that item

Submitting a blank response results in the minimum score for that item. The test does not skip or repeat questions, and a single blank response does not invalidate the entire test, though it negatively impacts the overall score.

Question 42: In the context of the Duolingo English Test, what is a 'collocate' and why does it matter for vocabulary scoring?

A word that naturally pairs with another word in common usage (Correct answer)
A word's translation in another language
A grammatical rule about word order
A type of spelling error

Correct answer: A word that naturally pairs with another word in common usage

A collocate is a word that naturally co-occurs with another (e.g., 'make a decision' not 'do a decision'). Knowledge of collocations demonstrates deep vocabulary knowledge and natural language use, which is assessed in writing and speaking sections.

Question 43: In French, how do you translate, 'see you tomorrow' ?

A bientôt
A demain (Correct answer)
A daman
A revoir

Correct answer: A demain

The French phrase "à demain" directly translates to "see you tomorrow." It is a common and concise way to express that you will meet or see someone the following day. "À bientôt" means "see you soon," and "au revoir" means "goodbye."

Question 44: In the Duolingo English Test's 'Read, then Complete' task, what is the test taker required to do?

Read a passage aloud for pronunciation assessment
Translate a passage into another language
Write a summary of the passage from memory
Fill in missing letters or words in English sentences (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Fill in missing letters or words in English sentences

The 'Read, then Complete' task presents sentences with missing letters within words, requiring test takers to identify and type the complete word. This tests vocabulary, spelling, and contextual understanding simultaneously.

Question 45: In the context of the Duolingo English Test, what does 'transcription accuracy' primarily measure?

Ability to convert spoken English into written form (Correct answer)
Skill in translating between two languages
Typing speed in words per minute
Knowledge of phonetic symbols and notation

Correct answer: Ability to convert spoken English into written form

Transcription accuracy in the Duolingo English Test measures the ability to accurately convert spoken English into its written form, including correct words, spelling, and punctuation. It is a combined measure of listening comprehension and written English skills.

Question 46: In the DET Interactive Reading task, when asked to select a sentence that BEST completes a paragraph, what should guide your choice?

The sentence that introduces a completely new topic
The sentence that logically connects to the paragraph's main idea and flows naturally from the preceding content (Correct answer)
The sentence with the most advanced vocabulary
The longest sentence available in the options

Correct answer: The sentence that logically connects to the paragraph's main idea and flows naturally from the preceding content

The best completing sentence maintains the paragraph's topic and connects logically with the preceding content, ensuring coherence.

Duolingo English Test

The Duolingo English Test is an adaptive online English proficiency exam scored 10-160, accepted by thousands of universities worldwide.

Questions

45 min

Time Limit

60%

To Pass

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Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds