Duolingo English Test · Task guide
Understand every DET task.
Learn what each question asks you to do, then find the right guide and practice. All 13 task types, explained in plain English.
On this page
The tasks at a glance
A task type is a kind of question. Some ask you to recognise a word. Others ask you to write or speak about a photo, a topic, or a conversation.
We group the tasks by skill so you can find what you need. These are not separate test sections, and some tasks use more than one skill.
| Skill | Task types | What you will do |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 4 | Decide if a word is real, complete missing letters, or find answers in a text. |
| Listening | 2 | Type the words you hear or follow a conversation and explain what happened. |
| Writing | 3 | Describe a photo or explain your ideas about a topic in clear, connected sentences. |
| Speaking | 4 | Describe what you see and answer questions aloud. Add reasons and examples to explain your answer. |
Use the task guides for detailed steps and examples. When you are ready, choose Practise this task to try a question.
4 task types
Reading tasks
Decide if a word is real, complete missing letters, or find answers in a text. Explore the reading guide
Read and Select
Read each word on screen and choose Yes if it is a real English word, or No if it is not.
- Time allowed: 5 seconds each
- On the test: 15–18 words
What to focus on: Read the whole word carefully before choosing Yes or No.
Fill in the Blanks
You see one sentence with an unfinished word. Read the sentence and type the missing letters to finish that word.
- Time allowed: 20 seconds each
- On the test: 6–9 sentences
What to focus on: Your word needs to match the letters already shown, the number of spaces, and the meaning of the sentence. Check its ending too: a sentence about yesterday may need a word ending in -ed.
Read first, fill the spaces, then check the finished word.
Read and Complete
You read a short text with letters missing from several words. Type only the missing letters to make the text complete.
- Time allowed: 3 minutes each
- On the test: 3–6 passages
What to focus on: Each finished word should fit both its sentence and the whole text. You need the right spelling and ending, not just a word that starts with the same letters.
The three minutes cover reading, all the gaps, and checking.
Interactive Reading
Read a text and answer six questions about it. You choose missing words and a sentence, highlight answers, then choose the main idea and a title.
- Time allowed: Shared 7- or 8-minute timer
- On the test: 2 sets of 6 questions
What to focus on: Use what the text says to answer. A detail can be true without being the main idea. The main idea and title should describe the whole text.
All six questions share one timer. It does not restart.
2 task types
Listening tasks
Type the words you hear or follow a conversation and explain what happened. Explore the listening guide
Listen and Type
Listen to a short recording and type the words you hear. You can listen three times in total.
- Time allowed: 1 minute each; up to 3 plays
- On the test: 6–9 sentences
What to focus on: Write the same words in the same order. A sentence with a similar meaning is not enough for this task. Include small words such as a, the, and to.
Listening, replaying, and typing all use the same minute.
Interactive Listening
Listen to a situation and fill in answers about it. Then choose replies in a conversation and write a short paragraph about what happened.
- Time allowed: Shared 6:30, then 75 seconds to summarize
- On the test: 2 sets of 8–10 questions
What to focus on: 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.
The first two parts share 6 minutes 30 seconds. The summary has its own 75 seconds.
3 task types
Writing tasks
Describe a photo or explain your ideas about a topic in clear, connected sentences. Explore the writing guide
Write About the Photo
Write sentences that explain what you can see in a photo.
- Time allowed: 1 minute each
- On the test: 3 photos
What to focus on: Start with the main scene, then describe the people, actions, and objects you can see.
Interactive Writing
Write an answer to a question, then answer a second question about the same topic.
- Time allowed: 30-second preparation; 5 minutes + 3 minutes
- On the test: 1 set of 2 questions
What to focus on: Explain your first answer, then add new ideas when you answer the follow-up question.
Writing Sample
Write about a topic. Your answer is shared with the institutions receiving your test results.
- Time allowed: 30-second preparation; 5 minutes
- On the test: 1 prompt
What to focus on: Give a clear answer and explain it with reasons, details, or examples.
4 task types
Speaking tasks
Describe what you see and answer questions aloud. Add reasons and examples to explain your answer. Explore the speaking guide
Speak About the Photo
Look at a photo, prepare for 20 seconds, then describe it aloud. The photo stays on screen while you speak.
- Time allowed: 20-second preparation; up to 90 seconds
- On the test: 1 prompt
What to focus on: Help a listener picture the scene. Explain who or what is there, what is happening, and where things are. Use details you can see.
Plan in your head during preparation, then use the speaking time to add detail.
Read, Then Speak
Read a question, use 20 seconds to prepare, then speak about the topic for up to 90 seconds. The question stays visible.
- Time allowed: 20-second preparation; up to 90 seconds
- On the test: 1 prompt
What to focus on: Give a clear answer, explain it, and add details. You do not need an unusual opinion. You need to help the listener understand what you mean.
Use preparation to choose your ideas, rather than memorise full sentences.
Interactive Speaking
Listen to a series of 6–8 questions and record an answer to each. You hear each question once and have 35 seconds to answer.
- Time allowed: 35 seconds per answer
- On the test: 1 set of 6–8 questions
What to focus on: Treat each turn like a conversation. Answer what was asked and explain your answer. A follow-up may ask you to say more about an earlier idea.
The 35 seconds start when the question ends. Waiting to press Record uses that time.
Speaking Sample
Read a topic, prepare for 30 seconds, and speak for up to three minutes. On the real DET, a video of your answer is shared with the institutions receiving your results.
- Time allowed: 30-second preparation; 3 minutes
- On the test: 1 prompt
What to focus on: Help the listener follow your ideas from beginning to end. Explain each point before starting another. If the question asks about an experience, tell what happened and why it mattered.
Use preparation to choose a few ideas you can explain in detail.
PrepEx records audio for this task. The real DET records a video that is shared with the institutions receiving your results.
Where should you start?
If you are new to the DET, begin with Read and Select. It has one clear decision: is this a real English word?
- Learn the task. Read its guide so you know what your answer needs to do.
- Try a practice question. Use the task’s time limit and answer as carefully as you can.
- Review your answer. Choose one thing to improve before your next attempt.
About this guide
- A task is a kind of question. We group tasks by skill to help you explore; these are not separate test sections, and some tasks use more than one skill.
- Task counts follow the current DET Test Structure. Timing and instructions follow the task guides, checked September 22, 2026. Check Duolingo’s latest guidance before test day, as the format can change.
- This is an independent preparation guide. The linked examples and practice questions are not official DET questions.