Duolingo English Test · Item-type guide 4 · 5 min read
Duolingo English Test writing questions and the writing sample
The writing tasks on the Duolingo English Test: Write About the Photo, Read, Then Write, interactive writing and the writing sample, with tips.
How writing is tested
Writing on the Duolingo English Test comes in several timed tasks of different lengths. Short tasks ask for a few sentences; longer ones ask for a developed response of a paragraph or more. Toward the end of the test there is also a writing sample, which is shared with the institutions that receive your results.
You type all answers on your computer. Spelling, grammar, vocabulary and how well you organize your ideas all matter.
| Task | What you do | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Write About the Photo | Describe an image in writing | A few sentences |
| Read, Then Write | Respond in writing to a written prompt | A developed paragraph or more |
| Interactive Writing | Write a response, then answer a follow-up prompt on the same topic | Two connected responses |
| Writing Sample | Write an open response to a prompt | A developed response |
Writing also appears inside other tasks, such as the summary at the end of interactive listening. The official site, englishtest.duolingo.com, has the current list of tasks and time limits.
Write About the Photo
You see a photo and write about what it shows, within a short time limit. The goal is clear, accurate description.
An invented example. The photo shows a market stall with fruit, a seller and two customers. A solid answer:
A man is selling fresh fruit at an outdoor market. Two customers are looking at a pile of oranges, and one of them is holding a basket. It looks like a sunny morning.
Describe the main scene first, then add details such as people, actions, location and mood. Use full sentences and a range of vocabulary rather than a list of nouns.
Exam tip: the present continuous tense, such as "is selling" and "are looking", is often the most natural choice for describing what is happening in a photo.
Read, Then Write
You read a prompt and write a response within a set time. The prompt usually asks you to describe, explain or give an opinion on a familiar topic. There is often a minimum word count shown on screen.
An invented example prompt: "Describe a skill you would like to learn and explain why."
A strong response:
- answers every part of the prompt;
- has a clear main point near the start;
- gives reasons and at least one example;
- uses varied sentence structures and vocabulary;
- stays focused on the topic.
You do not need an essay-style introduction and conclusion, but your writing should flow logically. Simple connectors such as "because", "for example", "however" and "as a result" help.
Exam tip: aim to use most of the time available. Short answers give little evidence of your ability, and the adaptive test cannot place you accurately without enough language to judge.
Interactive Writing
Interactive writing has two linked stages. First you respond to a prompt, usually by giving and supporting a view. Then you see a follow-up prompt that asks you to go further, for example by considering another point of view or adding detail on a related angle. You write a second response that builds on the first.
An invented example:
- First prompt: "Should young people be required to do volunteer work? Explain your view."
- Follow-up: "Some people say required volunteering is not really volunteering. How would you respond?"
The follow-up tests whether you can adjust your argument and engage with a new idea, not just repeat what you already wrote.
Exam tip: in the second stage, respond directly to the new prompt in your opening sentence. Then connect it back to your original view.
The writing sample
Near the end of the test, you write a longer open response to a prompt. This is the writing sample. It is shared with the institutions that receive your results, so admissions staff can read your writing for themselves. The official site explains how the samples are used and presented.
Treat it with the same care as any other task:
- Read the prompt carefully and answer it directly.
- Organize your response into a clear beginning, middle and end.
- Support your points with specific reasons and examples.
- Leave a little time to check spelling and grammar.
An admissions reader may look at this response closely, so clarity matters as much as ambition.
Common mistakes
- Spelling errors. The test does not provide a spell checker.
- Writing too little. Use the time you are given.
- Listing ideas without explaining them. Develop each point with a reason or example.
- Copying the prompt. Repeating the question adds words but shows little of your own language.
- Ignoring the follow-up in interactive writing. The second response must answer the new prompt.
How to practice
- Set a timer and write short responses to everyday prompts you invent yourself.
- Describe photos from news sites or your own phone in three or four sentences.
- Reread your writing and check for one type of error at a time: verb tenses, then articles, then spelling.
- Practice typing in English so that speed does not limit what you can say.
For current task details, check englishtest.duolingo.com.
Check yourself
- Which tense is often useful in Write About the Photo?
- What are two features of a strong Read, Then Write response?
- How many stages does interactive writing have, and what does the second one ask for?
- Who can read your writing sample?
- Does the test provide a spell checker?
More guides are on the Duolingo hub.