Duolingo Speaking Topics 2025: Answers, Tips and Pattern

Duolingo

Raj
Raj Vimal
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Dec 27, 2024 14:03 IST

Duolingo English Test is one of the popular alternatives of IELTS, PTE and other famous English proficiency exams. It asses students ability to speak, read, write and listen English language. To get a good score in the speaking section, you need to practice with common Duolingo speaking topics. This practice will help you in writing section also.

Duolingo Speaking Topics

What are the most common Duolingo Speaking Topics? If you are preparing for the Duolingo English Test (DET) then you should have an idea about the speaking topics to prepare and practice. The speaking section of the Duolingo English Test typically involves a variety of topics, including your personal experience, opinion on a topic, telling stories and communication.

It's important to practice speaking on a wide range of topics to be well-prepared for the DET. You can use online resources, language exchange partners, or a language tutor to practice your speaking skills. The Duolingo English Test (DET) is designed to assess an individual’s English language proficiency. The Duolingo English Test includes a Speaking section where test takers are asked to respond to prompts and speak on various topics. In this article, we will cover common Duolingo speaking topics along with their answers and tips.

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Duolingo Speaking Topics

It is known to all that Duolingo does not announce the list of speaking topics publicly. However, you can anticipate a range of subjects. Some of the common topics are:

  • What's your hobby?
  • Which sport do you like and why?
  • Describe your favourite animal.
  • Which film did you watch recently?
  • What advice would you give to your younger version?

Apart from these common questions, you should practice for some other Duolingo speaking topics mentioned in the table below:

Duolingo Speaking Topics

Food

Art & Aesthetics

Business

Family

Student Life

Childhood

Studies

Future

Friends

Government

Hobbies

Language (or any other subject)

Movies

Music

School / University

Sports & Entertainment

Technology

Science

Travelling

Nature

Weather

Work

Books

Culture

Duolingo English Test Pattern

Before we move to Duolingo speaking questions, it is vital for aspirants to know the Duolingo English Test pattern. Here are some important points:

  • DET does not have long questions such as the IELTS or TOEFL.
  • Reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills are tested on the Duolingo English Test.
  • It is an adaptive test that adjusts based on your responses. If you keep answering correctly, questions will become more complex and will fetch you a higher score.

The table given below provides an overview of the DET exam pattern:

Head

Details

Mode of Exam

Online

Total Sections

2

Total Time

60 minutes

Question Types

Objective and Descriptive

Exam Pattern

  • Introduction (5 minutes)
  • Adaptive Test (45 minutes)
  • Writing and Speaking Sample (10 minutes)

The Pattern of DET Speaking Section 

When it comes to the Speaking section of the Duolingo English Test, the following are the speaking tasks that a student needs to complete:

  • Picture Description (1)
  • Independent Speaking Tasks (3) = With written prompts (2) + With auditory (listening) prompt (1)

In simple words, these speaking tasks are of three types:

  • Speak about the photo: You will receive a question and a photo for 20 seconds. Some of the Duolingo speaking topics include animals, nature, buildings, people, situations, etc.
  • Read then speak: In this section, candidates will receive a prompt that is supposed to be read and the questions have to be answered. Moreover, candidates will have 20 seconds to prepare their answers. This section is similar to the IELTS Cue Card.
  • Listen then speak: In this section, candidates will have to listen to a prompt and answer the question.
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Duolingo Speaking Questions and Answers

In this section of the article, we will look at Duolingo speaking questions and answers.

Question 1: Talk About Your Favorite Restaurant.

  • Where is it?
  • What type of food does it serve?
  • How often do you go there?
  • Why is it your favourite?

(Source: DET Practice)








Sample Answer 1: My favourite restaurant is Cafe Camellia, a restaurant in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Using the best locally sourced foods from New York and a menu based on Southern traditions, Cafe Camellia serves the colourful spirit of the Gulf Coast.







Cafe Camellia is known for its authentic Southern cooking and dishes like prawns and grits, fried pickled green tomatoes, red beans and rice, etc. and beverages that include wine, sweet tea, and different cocktails.

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Cafe Camellia tends to be busiest during peak hours, such as lunchtime, around 12 PM to 2 PM and dinnertime, around 7 PM to 9 PM almost every week. I prefer a quieter dining experience with less hustle and bustle; hence, I visit the restaurant during the lean hours earlier in the day for lunch or later in the evening for dinner. However, as I am more relaxed on the weekends, I do not mind visiting it even during the peak hours. Moreover, if we celebrate a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, we make sure to visit the restaurant during a time that allows for a more leisurely and memorable experience.

The calibre of the food is one of an excellent restaurant's key distinguishing features. The food should be freshly prepared, delicious, and well-prepared. Consistency in presentation and flavour is also essential. A positive dining experience in a restaurant depends on excellent customer service. The overall eating experience can be substantially improved by attentive and amiable employees who are informed about the food, sympathetic to dietary needs, and prompt in their service. Cafe Camellia meets both requirements; hence, I consider it as my favourite dining place.

Also, Read:

DET Eligibility

DET Registration

DET Question Papers

DET Results

Question 2: Describe Your Graduation Subject

  • What is it?
  • Why did you enjoy studying it?
  • How long have you studied it?
  • What is its importance for you?

Sample Answer 2: The subject I studied in my graduation was Chemical Engineering. The creation and manufacture of products using chemical processes is the focus of the field of chemical engineering. Chemical engineers provide tools, methods, and procedures for mixing, compounding, and processing chemicals as well as for refining raw materials.

One of the most inclusive engineering fields is chemical engineering, which covers a wide range of sectors including chemicals, energy, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and more. Chemical engineers can work on a variety of projects and overcome a variety of obstacles because of their expertise. I enjoyed studying chemical engineering because of the variety of the study subjects it cuts across. As I completed a Bachelor’s in Technology in Chemical Engineering, I studied it for 4 years. In addition to this, I completed a research project of 6 months in duration.

New technologies, materials, and processes are continually being created in the field of chemical engineering. Chemical engineers are engaged by this dynamic nature, which also offers opportunities for career advancement and lifelong learning. Chemical engineering is a widely recognised profession that provides opportunities to work abroad and with diverse populations. This global component can expose people to other viewpoints and experiences. For these reasons, I find Chemical Engineering very important.

Tips for Duolingo Speaking Section

When it comes to the speaking section of Duolingo, here are some DET preparation tips that can help you:

  • Practice speaking regularly: Your speaking abilities will improve with regular practice. Set aside a specific time each day to work on your language-speaking skills. You can discover language exchange partners to practice with or utilise Duolingo's speaking activities.
  • Focus on pronunciation: Pay close attention to how words and sounds are pronounced in your target language. To enhance your pronunciation, listen to native speakers, use apps or guides to pronunciation, and repeat words and phrases aloud.
  • Speak: Rather than just pondering the answers in your brain make sure to speak them out loud. You will become more comfortable using the language's sounds and rhythms as a result.
  • Practice different question types: Duolingo's speaking section includes various question types, such as describing a photo, answering questions about a text, etc. Practice each question type to become familiar with the format and develop strategies for answering effectively.
  • Listen and respond: Pay close attention to the instructions or questions in the exercises and answer appropriately. Make an effort to comprehend the situation in order to offer pertinent responses or details.
  • Learn: Making mistakes is an inevitable aspect of learning a new language, which can be difficult. Be willing to make mistakes. Accept them as chances to grow and learn.

Remember, practice and consistency are key to improving your speaking skills. Use Duolingo's speaking exercises as a tool, but also seek out additional opportunities to practice speaking with native speakers or language exchange partners.

Q:   What are the most common topics in Duolingo English Test speaking section?

A:

In the Duolingo English Test speaking section, you may get a wide range of topics. However, most of them will be related to real-life conversations. Some popular Duolingo speaking topics are related to work, day to day life, travel, the latest technology or current events going around the world. The Duolingo English Test's official website does not provide a list of speaking topics.

Q:   How to get good marks in Duolingo Speaking section?

A:

Before you start preparation for Duolingo Speaking section, it is important that you be confident and focus on fluency and clarity. Also, avoid grammatical errors. Here are some tips that you should follow for good marks:

  • Practice with fluent English speakers
  • Enrich your vocabulary
  • Practice speaking
  • Record yourself during practice and analyze your mistakes. 

Q:   What are Duolingo English faster results?

A:

Duolingo Faster Results is a feature of the Duolingo English Test that sends results on the same day. To utilize this feature, you need to pay an additional USD 33 (INR 2,800), separate from the standard registration fee. There will be no change in exam format. It only reduces the turn around time. Please note that purchases for Duolingo Faster Results are non-refundable. I

Q:   What is the fee for Duolingo English test?

A:

Duolingo English Test costs USD 55 (INR 4,667 as of December 2024) for Indians. The course lessons are developed by a team of linguists who teach the English language first and then teach the target language. The test can be taken remotely on a computer with a stable internet connection, and it can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

Q:   What is the Duolingo exam pattern?

A:

There are three parts of the exam.  

  1.  In the first section you’ll get an introduction to the exam, its platform and technical checks.
  2. Your English proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking will be assessed in the adaptive test section. The duration of this section is 45 minutes.
  3. In the writing and speaking section, you'll get a prompt (image or text form). You will be asked to write and speak about it. Duration of this section is 10 minutes.

Q:   Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?

A:

The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.

Q:   Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?

A:

With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.

Q:   Does the University of Essex require IELTS?

A:

International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:

English Language Test

 Score

IELTS

Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section

The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:

English Language Test

 Score

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 72 to 114

PTE

Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section

Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities

That's all about the topic. If you are looking ahead to studying abroad and need admission and application-related help, you can sign up for our free Shiksha Abroad Counselling. Or you can write to us in the comments below.

About the Author
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Written by
Raj Vimal
Study Abroad Expert

Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio

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