DET High-Difficulty Question Answers: 'Speaking Sample' (2024.10.26)

Jan 21, 2026

The "Speaking Sample" section of the Duolingo English Test (DET) presents the toughest challenges among the speaking questions. In our previous article, we explored strategies for approaching this section and shared some examples of high difficulty. This blog post will provide additional tips and more example questions to help candidates improve their scores.

In this article

1. High-Scoring Tips for the DET Speaking Sample 2. High-Difficulty Sample Questions and Responses

High-Scoring Tips for the DET Speaking Sample

l Be Mindful of Your Video Presentation

Keep in mind that your speaking sample will be recorded and sent as a video. Make sure your appearance and background are tidy to create a positive first impression. Also, pay attention to your non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language, as these can significantly influence how your message is perceived.

l Keep Speaking Until the End

Don't stop speaking until you see the “NEXT” button turn blue. This means you still have time to share your thoughts. Even after the button changes color, try to complete your response naturally and wrap it up before clicking “NEXT” to finish your recording and submit it.

l Stay Focused

During the speaking test, avoid fixating on the timer. Being overly concerned about the time can distract you and disrupt your thought process and fluency. Stay relaxed and concentrate on what you want to convey; this will help you showcase your language skills more effectively.

l Practice in Advance

To improve your speaking ability, it’s advisable to practice before the test. Choose a topic that interests you and try speaking about it in English for 1-3 minutes. This will help you get comfortable with managing your time and boost your confidence for the actual test. You can practice in advance on the DETPractice website.

High-Difficulty Sample Questions and Responses

If you're looking for more practice, feel free to check out the video below.

Sample question 1:

Screenshot of a sample 'Speaking Sample' question from the Duolingo English Test.

Sample answer:

I genuinely relish engaging in class discussions and sharing my perspectives on diverse topics. It's akin to tossing a stone into a pond and observing the ripples radiate outward; each opinion fosters further dialogue, enriching our collective understanding. I’m not one to remain a wallflower; classroom discussions provide a vibrant platform for expressing ideas, clarifying doubts, and learning from varied viewpoints.

As a discussion leader, however, it can feel like walking on thin ice. It's crucial to cultivate an environment where every voice is heard and valued. Establishing ground rules to discourage offensive language and promote active listening is essential. Additionally, keeping the conversation focused is vital. For instance, during a recent discussion on climate change, when classmates veered into political arguments, the leader adeptly redirected the dialogue back to ecological impacts and solutions. Ultimately, balancing freedom of expression with respectful discourse is key to fostering an enjoyable class discussion.

Sample question 2:

Sample answer:

I strongly agree that there are many different types of intelligence. From my experience, intelligence is not just about academic skills or memorizing facts. For instance, in school, I had a friend who struggled with mathematics but was exceptionally talented in music. She could play multiple instruments flawlessly and compose her own songs, which shows musical intelligence. On the other hand, my cousin excels in social situations. He can easily understand people’s emotions and solve conflicts, demonstrating emotional and interpersonal intelligence. I have also noticed this in the workplace—some colleagues are brilliant problem solvers, while others are creative thinkers who come up with innovative ideas. Personally, I consider myself more of a linguistic and logical thinker, but I admire those with artistic or social intelligence because they bring value in ways that traditional tests cannot measure. Overall, recognizing multiple intelligences helps us appreciate people’s unique strengths and contributions.