HOW TO DUOLINGO!
1. What is Duolingo?
Duolingo is a language-learning platform that offers interactive courses for users to learn various
languages through its website and mobile application.
2. What is Duolingo Test?
The Duolingo English Test is an online exam that measures a person's English language skills in
reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It is used by universities, colleges, and other institutions
to assess English proficiency for admissions or visa applications.
1. Duolingo Test Format
Standard English proficiency examinations such as TOEFL and IELTS are structured into four
sections, demanding at least 3 hours for completion. In contrast, the Duolingo English Test
condenses reading, listening, writing, and speaking into a single section, typically concluding
within an hour.
I Reading:
This section assesses a test-taker's ability to understand written English. It includes tasks like reading
passages and answering questions based on the content.
Example Number 1
The time limit for this question is normally one to three minutes, to answer this question as logically as
possible you should follow these steps:
Read the title and first and last sentence to understand the main topic
Read the passage several times
Use context clues (topic information, grammar such as which, who, that...)
Example Number 2
The time limit for this question is one minute to answer this question as logically as possible you should
follow these steps:
Select the words you are confident are real english words
Focus on building your vocabulary
Don’t select all the words!
II Listening:
This section measures a test-taker's ability to comprehend spoken English. It includes listening to audio
clips and answering related questions.
Example Number 1
The time limit for this question is one minute, and you can listen to the audio up to three times. To answer
this question as logically as possible you should follow these steps:
Type exactly every word that you hear
First listening: type as much as you can
Second and third listening: Use what you have already written to guide you to complete the
whole sentence
Practice typing quickly in english
Example Number 2
In this exercise, you will have to listen and participate in an advanced academic conversation and choose
from the option the best fit answer, the time duration for this exercise range from two to four minutes.
To answer it as logically as possible you should follow these steps:
Read the scenario carefully before you begin
Select the correct answer for your turn in the conversation
Use the context to help you choose the correct answer
IMPORTANT: after finishing the conversation you have to write a summary about it at the end so try
to memorize as much as you can about it
To help you summarize in a short period of time follow this strategy:
- Who did you talk to and what about?
Ex- I had a conversation with my professor about the low grade I got in my english writing class.
- More detail what were the ideas?
Ex- My professor suggested that I use the helpful grammar and writing resources on the university
website because these online tools can help me improve my advanced grammar and teach me how to
organize my academic essays.
- The outcome what did you say you were going to do?
Ex- I agreed with my professor and said that I would begin using these online resources right away.
III Writing:
Test-takers are evaluated on their ability to express ideas in written English. This section includes tasks
like writing short responses or essays.
Example Number 1
In this exercise you will have to fully describe what you see in the image, and make sure it is
grammatically correct, the time duration is one minute to answer this exercise as logically as possible you
need to follow these steps:
Look at the photo carefully
Learn how to organize your answer
Use descriptive language (adjective, adverbs)
Write as much as you can
This photo shows a man hitchhiking in a
Forest, he is standing next to a bending road
and holding his left hand out to grab drivers’
attention. The tree-lined road that is in front
of the man looks empty and quiet.
(general overview of the photo, who is doing
what and what is where)
Example Number 2
In this exercise you have five minutes to write about a complete and coherent paragraph on a specific
topic to answer this exercise you need to follow these steps:
No preparation time so begin as soon as you have read the prompt
You need to write at least 50 words
Learn the different types of prompts:
- A recount prompt where you have to write about a personal experience
- A describe prompt where you have to discuss a situation
- An argument prompt where you have to give your opinion and argue why that is a good
opinion
Use at least one complex structure (blend two ideas in one sentence for example “Even though
the air pollution is often very high where I live, I still go out to exercise everyday”
Write as much as you can
IV Speaking:
Example Number 1
The time duration for this exercise is 20 to 50 seconds to answer it correctly you should follow these steps:
Before reading the sentence out loud, read it in your mind.
Press record when you are READY.
Put in your mind that you can only record ONCE.
Example Number 2
In this exercise you have 90 seconds to speak about the photo, to answer this exercise correctly you need
to follow these steps:
You have 20 seconds to prep so analyze the photo carefully
Use the same structure as write about the photo
Use descriptive language (adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.)
Vary your grammar and vocabulary
Speak for as long as you can
Example number 3
In this exercise you have 90 seconds to talk about a specific topic to answer it correctly you need to
follow these steps:
20 seconds to prep so read the prompt and questions carefully
Answer all the questions
Use transition phrases to make your answer smoother
Vary your grammar and vocabulary
Don’t just use simple answers. Always elaborate on your ideas
Talk for as long as you can
INTERACTIVE READING QUESTION EXAMPLES
YouTube Channel to Help You Prepare for Your English Test
https://www.youtube.com/@TeacherLuke-DET
Reading Practice Videos
https://youtu.be/BM5bMMHDIFc?si=sn4qwLfcTc6ktGnf
https://youtu.be/cE9crKWbfb0?si=6PPkLPA5XWNcObxI
https://youtu.be/n45PluG-GkA?si=NwJgqVqPmXWdCH_i
Listening Practice Videos
https://youtu.be/KhFypML23vM?si=1ClmcteJ3KCDfOH6
https://youtu.be/kxW89py8VeA?si=lGV7GAYVCFBXy_ys
https://youtu.be/UM8M5hMESFA?si=HwYejjBGz_cA3gee
Writing Practice Videos
https://youtu.be/TsLtpzVcGY0?si=sis2ZFWO6FAD1Pq7
https://youtu.be/VzIpOPAxQGU?si=B66vq6rrMiO50E26
https://youtu.be/LPeq8KD7yCo?si=nCeDWbs_vDnUHTUW
Speaking Practice Videos
https://youtu.be/mXkqPWoZbBw?si=zESJHdCVPyoNP-UP
https://youtu.be/sPknU1ABCSs?si=HDiX_AGaedidjQjm
https://youtu.be/49oV6IXpuVQ?si=12SY4Ox4jc8qjECq
Interactive Reading and Writing Video
https://youtu.be/Qn0cZLA7-5g?si=mWeIp7TgppdWPXQa
Interactive Listening and Speaking Video
https://youtu.be/t29kBggwWbQ?si=xWLpnHcgaqFMJ649
Full Test Practices with Teacher Luke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi6WT8nh84&list=PLFoAuQjNPg1K64zfGGnJ6DjYatOahF8wF
Websites to Practice Duolingo English Test Samples
https://practice.detready.com/
https://englishtest.duolingo.com/test/practice
https://detpractice-tadehub.com/practice-site (create an account)
https://app.gurully.com/login (create an account)
A COMPARISON CHART OF DUOLINGO TEST AND IELTS
