Duolingo English Test Speaking Cheatsheet
Printable Duolingo English Test speaking cheatsheet with task templates, scoring criteria, answer plans and a 7-day practice schedule.
The DET gives you seconds to start talking, so having a frame ready keeps you from freezing. Learn these, say them out loud, and adapt them to whatever comes up.
DET speaking task quick reference
| Task | What you need to do | Simple answer plan |
|---|---|---|
| Speak About the Photo | Describe what is visible and add a sensible inference | Overview → two details → one inference |
| Read, Then Speak | Respond clearly to a written prompt | Direct answer → two reasons → example → conclusion |
| Listen, Then Speak | Answer the spoken prompt without drifting off topic | Restate the topic → answer → detail → example |
| Interactive Speaking | Answer a sequence of connected follow-up questions | Answer directly → add a specific detail → connect to the previous turn |
| Speaking Sample | Give a developed response that may be shared with institutions | Position → two supporting points → concise conclusion |
Speak about the photo
| Stage | Say something like |
|---|---|
| Open | This is a picture of… / In this photo I can see… |
| Who / where | There are … people. It looks like they're in… |
| Detail | In the background / On the left, there's… |
| Guess | It seems like they're … / They might be… |
Read, then speak / Listen, then speak
| Stage | Say something like |
|---|---|
| Answer directly | I think… / In my experience… |
| Give a reason | The main reason is… |
| Add an example | For example, … |
| Round off | So that's why… / All in all, … |
Buy a moment (don't go silent)
| Instead of a pause | Say |
|---|---|
| … | That's a good question. |
| … | Let me think for a second. |
| … | There are a few things to say about this. |
Fill the time, clearly
The DET scores you on speaking continuously and understandably. A steady, organized answer beats a perfect sentence followed by silence.
How strong DET speaking answers are evaluated
The exact scoring system is proprietary and can change, but strong responses consistently demonstrate the following qualities. Always check the official DET guide for the current task format.
| Area | What to demonstrate |
|---|---|
| Relevance | Answer the exact prompt and keep every detail connected to it |
| Fluency | Keep a steady pace with few long pauses or abandoned sentences |
| Pronunciation | Speak clearly enough that words and sentence stress are easy to follow |
| Vocabulary | Use precise words and some natural variation instead of repeating one phrase |
| Grammar | Mix accurate simple sentences with a few controlled complex ones |
A 30-second answer-planning formula
- 1
Write one clear position
Reduce your answer to one sentence before adding detail.
- 2
Choose two supporting ideas
Use reasons, visible details, consequences or comparisons.
- 3
Attach one concrete example
A short personal or realistic example makes the response specific.
- 4
Plan the final sentence
Restate the main idea instead of stopping abruptly.
7-day DET speaking practice plan
| Day | Practice |
|---|---|
| 1 | Record five direct 30-second answers without restarting |
| 2 | Describe ten photos using overview, detail and inference |
| 3 | Practise Read, Then Speak responses with two reasons and an example |
| 4 | Listen to short prompts once and answer from brief notes |
| 5 | Run an Interactive Speaking sequence without repeating yourself |
| 6 | Complete a timed mixed-task mock and review every long pause |
| 7 | Repeat your weakest task, then complete one final full mock |
See the full breakdown in the Duolingo English Test speaking guide, or practise speaking out loud with an AI tutor.
Frequently asked questions
How should I structure a Duolingo English Test speaking answer?
Start with a direct answer, add two relevant supporting details, give one concrete example and finish with a short conclusion. The structure should guide you, not sound memorized.
Can I use memorized templates on the Duolingo English Test?
Use flexible sentence frames, but adapt them to the prompt. A fully memorized response can sound unnatural or fail to answer the actual question.
How do I stop freezing during DET speaking tasks?
Practise starting with a direct first sentence, use brief planning notes and record timed responses without restarting. Familiar structures reduce the mental work needed under pressure.
What makes a strong DET speaking response?
A strong response stays relevant, develops a clear idea, uses understandable pronunciation, maintains a steady pace and shows enough vocabulary and grammar range to express the answer precisely.
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