Hi 👋 Teacher Luke here,

What's the hardest question on the Duolingo English Test? In my opinion, it's this one 👇

Listen, Then Speak

Image source: englishtest.duolingo.com

This is the hardest question because you need to do 3 things well:

1. Listen and understand the question prompt,
2. Remember it (you can't listen again once you've begun speaking),
3. Answer using your best English.

Pretty tough, right?

But, don't worry! With a few strategies and some practice, you'll be feeling confident in no time! 💪

✅ Let's get into the strategies for the hardest DET question:

1. Listening to the Question Prompt: You can listen to the prompt 3 times so make sure you do so. After you begin speaking, you can't listen to it again! Given that you are not allowed to take notes in the DET, using all three chances to understand the question will help you to remember it better when it's time to speak.

2. Understanding the Prompt: Try to understand and remember as much of the question prompt as you can. If you can't understand everything that is being said, listen for key words and try to figure out what the main topic is.

👉This is an example question prompt: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/sample-question?type=interview-listen&level=3&question=b

😬 This question isn't on the official practice test.

But don't worry! You can practice it with hundreds of questions and sample answers on my Practice Platform! Click here 👉 practice.detready.com

More Practice, Better Results 💪

3. Stick to the Topic: Ensure your answer is about the prompt's main topic. You will lose points if you speak about a different topic.

4. Talk Time: You have 90 seconds to answer and you must speak for at least 30 seconds. The longer you can speak for, the higher your fluency score will be – aim for at least 60 seconds.

5. Vocabulary and Grammar: It's important to use a mix of words and grammar. This shows that you can express different ideas effectively in English. Using linking phrases can make your speech smoother, showing that you can discuss your ideas in a clear and logical way. This will get you a higher score on the test.

6. How Often Will You See It? You'll get this question twice on the test, meaning it is a very important question on the DET. Regular practice will help you feel more confident answering this question.

I hope these pointers were helpful. Looking forward to hearing about your high score!

📚 Do you want to study more with me?

Here's how 👇

1 - My Practice Platform: www.practice.detready.com

More Practice, Better Results! 👉 Sign up for free!

Practice all the question types on the Duolingo Test and check your answers immediately. Including the brand new Interactive Listening question! Works great on your computer and phone 📲!

2 - Ultimate Production Score Program and Guide: https://learn.detready.com/

Can't get the production score you need? Boost your Production Score on the test by completing Three Complete Courses focused on DET Speaking, Writing, and Describing a Photo.

Teacher Luke