Mixed Deck — All Duolingo English Test Topics Flashcards
100 cards from real Duolingo English Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 20 Mixed Deck — All Duolingo English Test Topics flashcards as text
In a vocabulary-in-context question, the sentence reads: 'The diplomat showed remarkable poise during the tense negotiations.' What does 'poise' most likely mean here?
Answer: Composure and self-assurance under pressure
In the context of diplomatic negotiations, 'poise' refers to composure, calmness, and self-assurance under pressure. While 'poise' can mean physical balance in other contexts, the diplomatic setting makes composure the most appropriate meaning.
The team's project proposal was so well-researched and presented that it was immediately accepted; the board found it to be completely ______.
Answer: cogent
The word 'cogent' means 'clear, logical, and convincing,' which fits the context of a well-researched and immediately accepted proposal. The other options are antonyms: 'fallacious' and 'specious' mean misleading or based on a mistaken belief, and 'tenuous' means weak or slight.
Which sentence correctly uses the present subjunctive in Spanish?
Answer: Espero que él venga mañana.
After expressions of hope or wish such as 'espero que,' Spanish requires the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause. 'Venga' is the present subjunctive form of 'venir,' making option B the only grammatically correct choice.
What category of objects does the Japanese counter suffix 本 (hon/pon/bon) count?
Answer: Long, thin objects such as pens, bottles, and roads
本 (hon/pon/bon) is the counter for long, thin objects, including pencils (鉛筆一本), bottles (ビール二本), and roads. Its pronunciation changes based on the number preceding it (e.g., 一本 ippon, 二本 nihon, 三本 sanbon).
The ancient Olympic Games were he ___________ in Olympia, Greece.
Answer: held
The sentence describes where the ancient Olympic Games took place. The verb 'held' is the past participle of 'hold,' meaning to conduct or organize an event. Thus, 'The ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece' is the grammatically correct and semantically appropriate construction.
A vocabulary question asks about the word 'ubiquitous.' A test taker has never seen this word before. What partial knowledge might help?
Answer: Knowing that 'ubi-' relates to location in Latin
Knowledge of Latin roots can help decode unfamiliar words. 'Ubi-' relates to 'where/everywhere' in Latin, which connects to 'ubiquitous' meaning 'found everywhere.' This etymological knowledge is a powerful vocabulary strategy.
A test-taker has 5 minutes for the Writing Sample on the Duolingo English Test. With 60 seconds remaining, they have written 90 words but are aiming for a high score. What is the recommended course of action?
Answer: Continue writing to reach at least 100-130 words, then proofread with any time left.
For those targeting a high score (120+), writing at least 130 words is recommended to adequately develop ideas. Since 90 words is below the suggested minimum for even a lower target score, the priority should be to increase the length before proofreading.
In a 'Read and Complete' task, the system shows the first half of each word's letters. What skill is mainly tested?
Answer: Vocabulary and reading comprehension
Read and Complete tests your ability to recognize words and understand context to fill in missing letters.
What is the purpose of the Duolingo English Test practice test available on the official website?
Answer: To familiarize test takers with question types and interface before the real test
The free practice test on the Duolingo website allows potential test takers to experience the question formats, interface, and timing without any score being generated. It helps reduce anxiety and improve performance on the actual test.
When reading a DET passage, which strategy BEST helps you answer detail questions accurately?
Answer: Return to the specific section of the passage that addresses the question
Detail questions require going back to the passage to locate exact information rather than relying on memory or assumptions.
A DET passage uses words like 'unfortunately,' 'sadly,' and 'regrettably' throughout. What does this suggest about the author's tone?
Answer: Sorrowful or disappointed
Words with negative emotional connotations like 'unfortunately' and 'sadly' consistently indicate a sorrowful or disappointed tone.
A test taker is preparing for the dictation questions on the Duolingo English Test. Which practice method would be LEAST effective?
Answer: Memorizing lists of advanced and uncommon English vocabulary.
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.
How long is a Duolingo English Test score report valid for institutions to accept?
Answer: 2 years from the test date
DET score reports are valid for two years from the test date, which is standard for most English proficiency tests and gives applicants time to use their scores across multiple application cycles.
Which of the following question types would a test taker encounter in the Duolingo practice test?
Answer: Read and Select, Listen and Type, Read Aloud, Write About a Topic, and more
The practice test includes all major question types from the real test: Read and Select (word identification), Listen and Type (dictation), Read Aloud, Read then Complete (C-test), Write About a Topic, Speak About a Photo, and interactive questions.
The 'Speak About the Photo' task primarily evaluates your:
Answer: Fluency and spoken description
You speak about the image, so it measures spoken fluency and vocabulary.
Which grammatical feature most effectively demonstrates advanced writing proficiency on the Duolingo English Test?
Answer: Employing a variety of tenses, conditionals, and subordinate clauses appropriately
Variety in grammatical structures — including different tenses, conditionals, relative clauses, and subordinate clauses — demonstrates a wide grammatical range. This is a key indicator of advanced proficiency in writing assessment.
Which strategy best improves your 'Listen and Type' accuracy?
Answer: Listen carefully and use grammar to reconstruct unclear words
Combining careful listening with grammar knowledge helps fill in words you partly hear.
What is the difference between the 5-minute and 3-minute writing tasks on the Duolingo English Test?
Answer: The 5-minute task expects more developed responses with greater depth and detail
The 5-minute writing task allows and expects more developed, detailed responses with greater depth of argument or description. The additional time should be used for more thorough development of ideas, examples, and revision.
In interactive reading, a passage discusses 'The Industrial Revolution transformed manufacturing processes.' If 'man______' appears later, what completion strategy should be used?
Answer: Use the established topic of manufacturing to predict 'manufacturing' or related terms
Using the established topic and thematic consistency of the passage is the most reliable strategy. When a passage discusses manufacturing, words starting with 'man' in that context most likely relate to the established theme.
River_______ is controlled by weirs and dams.
Answer: flow
River 'flow' refers to the movement of water within a river channel. Weirs and dams are engineering structures specifically designed to control and regulate this movement, influencing water levels and direction. Therefore, 'flow' is the correct term to describe what these structures manage.