What do you need to do?
Listen to a situation and fill in answers about it. Then choose replies in a conversation and write a short paragraph about what happened.
Keep in mindThe first two parts share 6 minutes 30 seconds. The summary has its own 75 seconds.
What should your answer do?
Keep track of who is speaking, why they are talking, and what they decide. Your final paragraph should explain the main points and the outcome.
How to answer
- Listen and Complete: listen to the situation, then fill each gap with the information asked for.
You can replay this first recording while the shared timer runs.
- Listen and Respond: listen to each conversation clip once.
Choose the reply that fits what the speaker means, not just a word you recognise.
- Follow any corrected reply shown before the next turn.
Keep the people, purpose, and decision in mind. Do not take notes during the real test.
- Summarize the Conversation: when the new timer starts, write one paragraph.
Explain who spoke, the reason for talking, the key details, and what happened in the end.
- Use the final seconds to check that your summary matches the conversation and is easy to read.
Turn the conversation into a summary
An original PrepEx teaching example.
Imagine two students need to prepare a class talk. They cannot meet tonight, so they agree to meet in the library tomorrow morning.
Show answer and explanation
Example answer
Two students discussed preparing a class talk. As they were unable to meet that evening, they agreed to work together in the library the next morning.
Why this works
The paragraph gives the people, purpose, problem, and plan. It keeps the important details without repeating every line of their conversation.
This is a short teaching situation. In a full task, include the other important details you hear too.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Assuming every recording can be replayed. The opening situation can; each conversation clip plays once.
- Choosing a reply only because it repeats a word you heard. Check whether it answers the speaker.
- Writing every turn as a list. Write a paragraph about the main points and the final decision.
How to improve your next answer
- For a reply you missed, explain what the speaker wanted and why the better reply fits.
- Read your summary and check whether someone who did not hear the conversation could understand what happened.
Use your result to choose what to practise next
Look at the answers and feedback as well as the number. Choose one thing to work on, then try a new question.
A PrepEx score is a practice estimate, not an official DET score. Only Duolingo can give you an official test result.
Check the rules before test day
Read the official Interactive Listening guide and the current DET Test Structure. If the test changes, follow Duolingo's latest instructions.
Task instructions and timing checked September 21, 2026. The examples and study tips on this page were written by PrepEx.