Duolingo Writing Sample: 40 Samples with High-Scoring Answers
This DET practice set features 40 authentic prompts paired with expertly crafted high-scoring responses, covering six essential themes: Family & Traditions, Education & School, Technology & Society, Environment & Urban Life, Personal Growth & Emotions, and Arts & Culture. Whether you're aiming for a top score or just starting out, this resource will help you build confidence and clarity in your writing.
What Is the Duolingo Writing Sample?
The Writing Sample is a scored section of the Duolingo English Test that evaluates your ability to write extended responses in English. Unlike other parts of the test, your Writing Sample is also sent directly to institutions along with your scores—giving admissions officers a clear view of your writing proficiency.
· Time Limit: You’ll receive a prompt and have 3–5 minutes to respond.
· Expectations: Your writing should be organized, grammatically accurate, and focused on the topic.
· Purpose: It’s your chance to showcase not just your English proficiency, but also your critical thinking and communication skills.
What Makes a High-Scoring Writing Sample?
Your response is evaluated across five key dimensions:
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Evaluation Criteria |
What High-Scoring Responses Do Well |
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Content & Development |
Address the prompt clearly, with relevant ideas and specific examples |
|
Organization & Coherence |
Use a clear structure, logical flow, and transitions between ideas |
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Vocabulary & Word Choice |
Demonstrate range and precision; avoid repetition |
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Grammar & Syntax |
Use accurate grammar and varied sentence structures |
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Conventions |
Follow spelling, punctuation, and capitalization rules |
How to Write a Strong Answer in Just 5 Minutes
Here’s a proven time-management strategy to help you stay focused and efficient:
· Minute 1: Plan (30–60 seconds)
o Brainstorm your main idea and 2–3 supporting points.
o A quick outline helps ensure clarity and structure.
· Minutes 2–4: Write (2–3 minutes)
o Start with a clear topic sentence.
o Develop your points with examples or explanations.
o Add a brief conclusion if time allows.
· Minute 5: Review (30–60 seconds)
o Scan for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
o Make sure your response directly addresses the prompt.
Pro Tip: A well-developed 100-word response is far more effective than a rushed 200-word one full of mistakes.
40 Writing Sample Writing Sample Prompts with High-Scoring Answers
Category 1: Family and Traditions (1-7)
Writing Sample Prompt 1: Describe a family tradition that is important to you. How has this tradition shaped your values and identity? What do you hope to pass on to future generations?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Every Lunar New Year, my family gathers to prepare traditional dumplings, a ritual that profoundly shapes my understanding of cultural heritage. As we fold dumplings, my grandmother shares childhood memories, preserving family history. This tradition has instilled a deep appreciation for meaningful rituals in our fast-paced world, reinforcing the value of gathering without digital distractions. The process teaches patience—each dumpling carefully sealed, symbolizing good fortune. I hope to pass on not just the recipe but the underlying principles: maintaining cultural roots while adapting to new environments, and the irreplaceable value of dedicated family time. These gatherings have taught me that identity isn't merely inherited but actively cultivated through conscious participation in traditions bridging past and future.
Writing Sample Prompt 2: Discuss the role of extended family in modern society. How has the concept of family evolved, and what impact does this have on family relationships and social support systems?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
The extended family plays an increasingly complex role as mobility and urbanization reshape traditional structures. Historically, extended families provided childcare, eldercare, and economic support. Today, families often scatter, pursuing opportunities, weakening these networks. However, technology enables maintaining connections despite distance—video calls allow grandparents to participate in grandchildren's lives. The evolution toward nuclear families has increased reliance on formal institutions for services that extended families once provided. This offers professional expertise but often sacrifices intergenerational wisdom transfer. Some cultures maintain strong extended family bonds despite modernization, demonstrating that evolution doesn't necessitate abandonment. The challenge lies in adapting extended family roles to contemporary realities while preserving the irreplaceable support these relationships uniquely provide.
Writing Sample Prompt 3: Reflect on how your family's cultural background has influenced your perspective on education and career choices. What expectations or values have been most significant?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
My immigrant family background profoundly shaped my educational priorities, emphasizing education as the primary vehicle for social mobility. Witnessing my parents' struggles despite their intelligence and work ethic, I internalized that formal credentials provide protection against discrimination. This perspective made me pursue stable careers rather than uncertain artistic ventures. My family values collective success over individual passion, viewing choices through family support rather than personal fulfillment alone. While creating tension between my interests and their expectations, I recognize wisdom in their pragmatism—it stems from lived hardship. Their emphasis has given me opportunities they never had. I'm learning to balance inherited values with evolving understanding, recognizing that security enables pursuing meaningful work.
Writing Sample Prompt 4: Explain the importance of inter-generational communication within families. What challenges arise when different generations have different values, and how can families bridge these gaps?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Inter-generational communication forms the foundation for family cohesion, yet growing divides in values and technology use create significant challenges. Younger generations embrace rapid social change while older generations hold traditional values shaped by different contexts. These diverging viewpoints can cause misunderstandings if interpreted as personal rejection rather than natural evolution. Technology exacerbates challenges—younger members prefer texting while elders value calls. Families can bridge gaps through intentional effort and mutual respect. This requires younger members recognizing that older wisdom remains valuable, and older generations to acknowledge that changing values don't indicate moral decline. Successful bridging involves creating conversation opportunities, asking questions to understand rather than convince, and finding common values beneath surface disagreements.
Writing Sample Prompt 5: How do family responsibilities and obligations differ across cultures? Reflect on what you believe constitutes healthy family obligations versus excessive familial pressure.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Family obligations vary dramatically across cultures. Many Asian and Latin American cultures expect adult children to directly care for aging parents, while Western cultures often use formal care systems. Healthy obligations, in my view, involve mutual support without sacrificing individual well-being. They're characterized by reciprocity rather than one-sided burdens, flexibility acknowledging individual circumstances, and voluntary commitment rather than guilt-driven compliance. Excessive pressure manifests when demands prevent personal development, enforce conformity to unshared values, or create financial hardship. The distinction lies not in the specific obligations but in whether they're negotiated with respect for individual agency or imposed through manipulation. Culture provides context, but healthy relationships ultimately require a balance between collective and individual needs through open communication about boundaries.
Writing Sample Prompt 6: Describe a significant family challenge your family has faced. How did this experience strengthen or strain family relationships? What lessons did you learn about resilience and support?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
When my father lost his job, our family faced financial uncertainty and an identity crisis. My father struggled with depression; my mother re-entered the workforce, shifting the dynamics. Initially, stress-strained relationships through irritability and withdrawal. But necessity forced honest conversations we'd avoided. We learned to express our needs directly rather than expecting understanding. My siblings and I took household responsibilities, discovering unknown capabilities. Most significantly, witnessing our parents' vulnerability paradoxically strengthened bonds by revealing their humanity beyond parental roles. This taught me resilience isn't individual fortitude but collective adaptation. Support means practical assistance—sharing burdens concretely, not abstractly. Family strength emerges not from avoiding difficulties but from facing them together with honesty, replacing surface harmony with authentic connection.
Writing Sample Prompt 7: Should adult children be legally required to financially support their elderly parents? Discuss the ethical considerations and practical implications of such policies.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Legal requirements for adult children to support elderly parents present complex challenges. Morally, arguments exist on both sides. Filial piety traditions emphasize reciprocal duty, yet not all parent-child relationships involve loving sacrifice, making mandatory support problematic. Practically, such laws exist in several countries but prove difficult to enforce fairly. They don't account for varying financial capabilities, potentially impoverishing younger generations. Legal mandates cannot compel emotional care or quality support. These policies also reflect societal failure to create adequate social safety nets. Robust public pension and healthcare systems funded through taxation distribute elder support across society, acknowledging aging as a collective concern. While encouraging voluntary family support seems appropriate, legal coercion raises significant justice concerns about universally assuming loving families and equal capabilities.
Category 2: Education and School (8-14)
Writing Sample Prompt 8: Describe a teacher who has had a significant impact on your education. What qualities made this teacher effective? How did they help you succeed in your studies?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Ms. Rodriguez, my literature teacher, transformed my understanding through intellectual rigor and genuine care. She expected every student to engage with complex texts, refusing to simplify but providing scaffolding enabling us to reach challenging material. Her Socratic questioning never accepted superficial answers, probing further with "Why?" and training critical thinking rather than memorization. She treated our ideas respectfully, modeling how disagreement doesn't equal disrespect. Her feedback was specific and actionable, highlighting strengths and growth areas without crushing confidence. Beyond academics, she recognized students' struggles and offered practical support without pity. Her holistic approach acknowledged that learning happens within life's complexity. She taught me that education involves becoming more thoughtful, questioning, and empathetic.
Writing Sample Prompt 9: Should financial literacy be a mandatory part of the high school curriculum? Explain why or why not, providing specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Financial literacy should absolutely be mandatory in high school because economic decisions fundamentally shape life outcomes, yet most students receive no formal education in this area. Young adults routinely make consequential decisions—student loans, credit cards—without understanding interest rates or long-term implications. This knowledge gap disproportionately harms students from families lacking financial expertise, perpetuating inequality. A comprehensive course would cover practical skills: understanding paychecks and taxes, comparing loans, creating budgets, and comprehending insurance basics. These aren't luxuries but survival skills in modern economies. Schools already teach subjects students may never use professionally; financial literacy has universal applicability. Given that financial stress affects mental health and opportunities, equipping students with financial literacy constitutes essential preparation, not optional enhancement.
Writing Sample Prompt 10: Compare the benefits and drawbacks of standardized testing in education. Do standardized tests accurately measure student knowledge and potential? Propose alternatives or improvements.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Standardized testing provides comparable data across schools and identifies achievement gaps, yet significant drawbacks limit effectiveness in capturing genuine learning. The primary benefit lies in objectivity and scale—offering consistent metrics for evaluating millions of students. However, these tests measure narrow skills, primarily test-taking ability and recall, failing to assess creativity or critical thinking. They incentivize teaching to the tests rather than deep learning. Moreover, standardized tests exhibit socioeconomic bias; wealthy students have access to preparation resources unavailable to poorer peers. Better alternatives would include portfolio-based assessments demonstrating growth over time and performance tasks requiring applied knowledge. Completely eliminating testing seems impractical, but significantly reducing its weight while incorporating diverse assessment measures would provide a more accurate, holistic understanding of capabilities.
Writing Sample Prompt 11: Discuss the impact of homework on student learning and well-being. Should schools reduce, eliminate, or maintain current homework practices? Support your position with specific reasoning.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Homework's impact varies dramatically depending on quantity, quality, and developmental stage, suggesting thoughtful reform rather than elimination or maintenance. Research indicates that limited elementary homework provides minimal academic benefit while potentially building responsibility. However, excessive homework correlates with stress, sleep deprivation, and diminished family time without corresponding gains. The critical factor isn't homework's existence but its purpose. Meaningful homework extends learning through practice or application; conversely, busy work wastes time and breeds resentment. Schools should implement differentiated approaches: minimal homework early, gradually increasing but capped at reasonable limits. Quality matters more than quantity—one well-designed assignment encouraging deeper thinking surpasses multiple rote exercises. Homework should serve learning, not tradition, requiring evaluation of whether assignments genuinely benefit students.
Writing Sample Prompt 12: Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of group projects in educational settings. How can teachers design group work that maximizes learning while minimizing common problems?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Group projects offer valuable opportunities to develop collaboration skills and expose students to diverse perspectives, yet implementation problems often undermine the benefits. Effectively designed group work teaches negotiation, conflict resolution, and collective problem-solving, which are essential in professional life. However, poorly designed work creates issues: unequal contribution where some students shoulder disproportionate work, personality conflicts, and assessment challenges where individual learning becomes invisible. To maximize benefits, teachers should provide explicit instruction in collaborative skills rather than assuming students know how to work together. Assigning specific roles with clear responsibilities prevents free-riding. Regular check-ins and peer evaluations create accountability. Assessment should include both group outcomes and individual contributions. Projects should genuinely require collaboration, not merely divide work that could be done individually.
Writing Sample Prompt 13: Reflect on the role of failure in the learning process. How should educators and students approach mistakes and setbacks? Share a personal experience where failure led to growth.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Failure constitutes an essential component of genuine learning, yet educational systems often treat mistakes as deficits rather than opportunities. When educators create environments where failure is safe, students develop resilience and a deeper understanding through error correction. My most significant learning experience involved failing a mathematics competition I'd prepared extensively for. Analyzing mistakes revealed gaps in conceptual understanding I'd papered over with memorization. This failure forced me to rebuild my foundation properly. The experience taught me that struggle indicates learning rather than inability. Educators should normalize failure by sharing their own mistakes, praising productive struggle, and assessing growth rather than just outcomes. Paradoxically, protecting students from failure prevents the development of coping skills essential for lifelong learning.
Writing Sample Prompt 14: Should schools teach emotional intelligence and mental health awareness as part of their core curriculum? Explain your reasoning and discuss the potential benefits and challenges of such programs.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Schools should integrate emotional intelligence and mental health education into the core curriculum because these competencies fundamentally affect academic success and life outcomes. Emotional intelligence—recognizing, understanding, and managing emotions—directly impacts learning; students overwhelmed by anxiety struggle academically regardless of intellectual capability. Mental health awareness reduces stigma, helps students recognize when they or peers need support, and provides coping strategies. Early intervention through education could prevent crisis situations from overwhelming counseling resources. The curriculum would teach practical skills: identifying emotions, understanding triggers, developing healthy coping mechanisms, and recognizing when professional help is needed. Challenges include teacher training requirements and ensuring culturally sensitive approaches. However, benefits—improved student wellbeing, academic performance, and reduced mental health crises—far outweigh implementation difficulties.
Category 3: Technology and Society (Writing Sample Prompts 15-21)
Writing Sample Prompt 15: How has technology changed the way we communicate? Discuss both positive and negative impacts on interpersonal relationships and social connections.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Technology has fundamentally transformed communication from slow, deliberate exchanges into instant, continuous connectivity. Previously, letters required days for delivery, making each message carefully composed. Today, instant messaging and video calls enable real-time interaction regardless of distance, strengthening long-distance relationships and accelerating global business. However, constant connectivity creates expectations for immediate responses and reduces face-to-face interaction quality. Many experience conversations interrupted by phone calls or prefer texting over calling. Digital communication lacks nonverbal cues like tone and body language, causing frequent misunderstandings. While technology has made communication more accessible and frequent, it has paradoxically made deep, meaningful conversations less common as we prioritize quantity over quality in our interactions.
Writing Sample Prompt 16: Analyze the impact of social media on mental health, particularly among young people. What are the main concerns, and how can individuals use social media more mindfully?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Social media significantly impacts mental health, particularly among young people vulnerable to comparison and validation-seeking. Primary concerns include increased anxiety and depression from comparing oneself to curated, unrealistic portrayals of others' lives. The constant need for likes and comments can create unhealthy validation dependencies. Cyberbullying and fear of missing out exacerbate stress. However, social media also offers valuable support communities and connection opportunities. Mindful use involves setting time limits, curating feeds to include positive content, recognizing that posts represent highlights not reality, and taking regular breaks. Individuals should engage actively—creating and connecting—rather than passively scrolling. Parents and educators must teach digital literacy, helping young people develop critical perspectives on social media's influence while utilizing its benefits.
Writing Sample Prompt 17: Should governments regulate artificial intelligence development? Discuss the potential risks and benefits of AI regulation, providing specific examples to support your position.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Governments should implement thoughtful AI regulations to ensure this technology benefits humanity while minimizing harms. AI systems already influence critical decisions in healthcare, criminal justice, and finance, yet many operate without transparency or accountability. Without regulation, companies might prioritize profit over safety, creating systems with biased algorithms or inadequate security. History shows that emerging technologies can have unintended consequences; proactive regulation can prevent harm rather than merely reacting to disasters. However, regulations must encourage innovation rather than stifle it. Excessive restrictions could push development to less-regulated countries. The ideal approach involves collaboration between governments, tech companies, ethicists, and citizens, establishing standards for transparency, fairness, and safety. Regulations should evolve alongside technology, addressing risks while preserving benefits.
Writing Sample Prompt 18: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of remote work. How has the shift to working from home affected productivity, work-life balance, and company culture?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Remote work offers significant advantages and notable challenges affecting productivity and company culture. Benefits include eliminating commutes, improving work-life balance, and enabling geographic flexibility. Many workers report increased productivity due to fewer office distractions and flexible schedules. Companies can access wider talent pools unrestricted by location. However, remote work can blur boundaries between professional and personal life, leading to overwork. Lack of face-to-face interaction may hinder collaboration, spontaneous innovation, and relationship building. New employees struggle without in-person mentorship. Company culture becomes harder to maintain without shared physical space. The ideal approach likely involves hybrid models that offer flexibility while preserving the benefits of occasional in-person collaboration. Success requires clear communication protocols, trust, and intentional culture-building efforts.
Writing Sample Prompt 19: Analyze the impact of streaming services on traditional entertainment industries. How have platforms like Netflix and Spotify changed content creation, distribution, and consumption?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Streaming services have revolutionized entertainment by transforming distribution models and consumption patterns. Unlike traditional broadcast or physical media, platforms like Netflix and Spotify offer unlimited on-demand access, fundamentally changing audience expectations. This shift has democratized content creation—independent creators can reach global audiences without traditional gatekeepers. However, this also creates challenges. The abundance of content makes discovery difficult, and algorithm-driven recommendations can create filter bubbles. Traditional industries struggle as revenue models shift from ownership to subscription. Musicians earn significantly less per stream than from physical sales, while theaters face competition from home viewing. Binge-watching culture replaces communal viewing experiences. While streaming increases accessibility and convenience, it raises concerns about content creator compensation and the cultural impact of isolated, algorithm-curated consumption.
Writing Sample Prompt 20: What responsibility do technology companies have toward user privacy and data protection? Should there be stricter regulations governing how companies collect and use personal information?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Technology companies bear substantial responsibility for user privacy because their platforms collect enormous personal data, influencing lives profoundly. Companies must prioritize user protection over profit maximization, implementing robust security measures and transparent data practices. Users deserve an understanding of what information is collected, how it's used, and who accesses it. Currently, many companies exploit complex privacy policies that users don't read or understand, essentially obtaining uninformed consent. Stricter regulations are necessary because voluntary corporate responsibility proves insufficient when profit motives conflict with privacy protection. European GDPR demonstrates that effective regulation can protect users while allowing business operations. Regulations should mandate clear privacy policies, require explicit consent for data collection, enable users to access and delete their data, and impose significant penalties for violations. Privacy isn't merely convenience but a fundamental right in the digital age.
Writing Sample Prompt 21: How do you think cities will change in the next 20 years due to technological advancement? Consider aspects like transportation, infrastructure, and sustainability.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Cities will likely undergo substantial transformations driven by technology, climate concerns, and evolving work patterns. Smart infrastructure integrating sensors and AI will optimize traffic flow, energy usage, and waste management, making urban living more efficient. As remote work becomes mainstream, city centers may shift from office districts to mixed-use neighborhoods with residential, commercial, and recreational spaces coexisting, reducing commute-related congestion. Transportation will evolve dramatically; electric and autonomous vehicles may dominate, while expanded public transit and bicycle infrastructure could reduce car ownership. Climate adaptation will reshape architecture, with green roofs, vertical gardens, and improved stormwater systems becoming standard. However, these changes risk exacerbating inequality if benefits remain limited to affluent areas. Successful cities will prioritize inclusive development.
Category 4: Environment and Urban Life (22-28)
Writing Sample Prompt 22: Discuss the most effective ways individuals can contribute to environmental sustainability. Should the focus be on personal lifestyle changes or advocating for systemic policy changes?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Individual environmental contributions require both personal lifestyle changes and systemic advocacy because these approaches complement rather than compete. Personal actions—reducing consumption, choosing sustainable products, minimizing waste—demonstrate commitment and create cultural shifts normalizing environmental consciousness. However, individual efforts alone cannot address climate change, driven largely by industrial practices and policy frameworks. A person eliminating plastic use has minimal impact compared to corporations producing billions of single-use items. Therefore, advocacy for systemic change through supporting environmental legislation, voting for climate-conscious leaders, and pressuring companies to adopt sustainable practices becomes crucial. The most effective approach combines personal responsibility with collective action. Individual changes build credibility when advocating systemic reforms, while policy changes make sustainable choices accessible and affordable for everyone, not just privileged consumers.
Writing Sample Prompt 23: Analyze the impact of urbanization on quality of life. What are the benefits and drawbacks of living in large cities versus smaller towns or rural areas?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Urbanization offers significant advantages and notable drawbacks affecting the quality of life. Large cities provide abundant opportunities—diverse employment, cultural institutions, educational resources, and social connections. Urban density enables efficient public transit and walkability, potentially reducing environmental impact. However, cities also present challenges: high living costs, noise pollution, limited personal space, and increased stress. Overcrowding strains infrastructure and creates competition for resources. Conversely, smaller towns and rural areas offer affordability, natural surroundings, stronger community bonds, and a slower pace, reducing stress. Yet they often lack career opportunities, specialized services, and cultural diversity. The ideal location depends on individual priorities—career ambitions, family needs, lifestyle preferences. Neither option is objectively superior; quality of life involves balancing opportunities against stressors, convenience against community, stimulation against tranquility.
Writing Sample Prompt 24: Should cities ban private cars in downtown areas to reduce pollution and congestion? Discuss the potential benefits and challenges of such a policy.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Banning private cars in downtown areas presents an ambitious solution to pollution and congestion, with significant benefits and substantial challenges. Benefits include dramatically reduced emissions, improved air quality, reclaimed street space for pedestrians and cyclists, and decreased traffic accidents. Cities like Copenhagen demonstrate that such policies can succeed, creating vibrant, livable urban centers. However, implementation faces obstacles. Adequate public transportation must exist first; banning cars without alternatives disadvantages residents, particularly elderly and disabled individuals. Businesses fear reduced customer access might hurt commerce. The transition will require significant infrastructure investment and careful planning. A gradual approach—expanding pedestrian zones, improving transit, implementing congestion pricing—might prove more feasible than immediate bans. Success depends on comprehensive urban planning, ensuring mobility for all residents while achieving environmental goals. Context matters; policies effective in compact European cities may not suit sprawling American metropolises.
Writing Sample Prompt 25: Describe your ideal city or community. What features would make it sustainable, livable, and inclusive for all residents?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
My ideal city would prioritize sustainability, accessibility, and community connection through thoughtful design. Mixed-use neighborhoods where residents can walk to work, shops, and schools would reduce car dependency while fostering community interaction. Extensive green spaces—parks, community gardens, green roofs—would provide recreation and improve air quality. Affordable housing policies would ensure economic diversity, preventing gentrification that displaces longtime residents. Excellent public transportation, including dedicated bike lanes, would offer mobility options for all income levels. The city would invest in renewable energy, comprehensive recycling programs, and green infrastructure that manages stormwater naturally. Community centers, libraries, and public squares would provide gathering spaces, strengthening social bonds. Accessibility features—ramps, audio signals, accessible transit—would ensure full participation for disabled residents. The city would balance density, enabling efficiency with sufficient space for quality of life.
Writing Sample Prompt 26: How can communities better prepare for natural disasters and climate change impacts? What role should government, businesses, and individuals play?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Preparing for natural disasters and climate impacts requires coordinated efforts across government, businesses, and individuals. Governments must invest in resilient infrastructure—reinforced buildings, flood barriers, improved drainage—and develop comprehensive emergency response plans with clear communication systems. They should update building codes to reflect climate realities and restrict development in high-risk areas. Businesses should ensure operational continuity through backup systems and contribute to community resilience through responsible practices. Individuals should prepare emergency supplies, develop family evacuation plans, and stay informed about local risks. However, individual preparation cannot compensate for inadequate public infrastructure or poor planning. Communities should conduct regular disaster drills, establish neighborhood support networks for vulnerable residents, and integrate climate adaptation into all planning decisions. Effective preparedness recognizes that disasters disproportionately affect low-income communities, requiring special attention to equitable resource distribution and support systems.
Writing Sample Prompt 27: Analyze the benefits and challenges of urban farming and community gardens. How can cities incorporate more local food production?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Urban farming and community gardens offer multiple benefits but face significant challenges in densely populated cities. Benefits include providing fresh produce in food deserts, reducing transportation emissions, creating green spaces, improving mental health, and fostering community connections. Gardens offer educational opportunities, teaching children about food sources and sustainability. However, challenges include limited available land in expensive urban areas, soil contamination from previous industrial use, water access issues, and questions about whether small-scale production significantly impacts food security. Cities can incorporate farming through rooftop gardens, vertical farming systems, converting vacant lots, and incentivizing commercial buildings to include agricultural spaces. Policy support—zoning changes, tax incentives, water subsidies—can make urban agriculture viable. While not replacing conventional farming, urban food production contributes to sustainability and community wellbeing.
Writing Sample Prompt 28: Discuss the concept of "15-minute cities" where residents can access daily necessities within a short walk or bike ride. Is this a realistic and desirable urban planning goal?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
The 15-minute city concept—where residents access work, shops, schools, and services within a short walk or bike ride—represents both desirable and challenging urban planning. Desirability is clear: reduced car dependency decreases emissions and congestion, while increased walking improves health. Local commerce strengthens community bonds and supports small businesses. However, implementation faces obstacles. Existing sprawling cities require massive infrastructure redesign and decades of gradual transformation. High-density mixed-use development may face resistance from residents preferring single-use neighborhoods. Economic factors complicate matters—can diverse businesses survive in every neighborhood? The concept works better in compact European cities than sprawling American ones. Nevertheless, moving toward this ideal through incremental changes—improving walkability, encouraging mixed-use development, enhancing local transit—benefits cities even if pure 15-minute accessibility remains imperfect. Context-appropriate adaptation matters more than rigid implementation.
Category 5: Personal Growth and Emotions (29-34)
Writing Sample Prompt 29: How do you handle setbacks and failures in your personal development journey? Reflect on specific experiences and describe the strategies you use to overcome these challenges.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
I handle setbacks by reframing them as learning opportunities rather than defining failures. When I didn't get into my first-choice university, initial disappointment gave way to reflection about what I truly wanted. I realized my choice had been influenced by prestige rather than genuine fit. This setback led me to research programs more carefully, ultimately choosing a school better aligned with my interests. My strategies include allowing brief emotional processing without wallowing, analyzing what went wrong objectively, identifying controllable factors for future improvement, and seeking mentorship from others who've faced similar challenges. I maintain perspective by remembering that successful people experience numerous failures. Most importantly, I separate setbacks from self-worth—a single failure doesn't define my capabilities or potential. This mindset transforms obstacles into stepping stones.
Writing Sample Prompt 30: Discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in personal and professional success. How can individuals develop greater emotional awareness and empathy?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Emotional intelligence—recognizing, understanding, and managing emotions in oneself and others—significantly impacts personal and professional success. Emotionally intelligent individuals navigate conflicts effectively, build strong relationships, and make balanced decisions considering both logic and feelings. In professional contexts, emotional intelligence enables leadership, teamwork, and client relations, requiring understanding diverse perspectives. Individuals can develop emotional awareness through reflective practices like journaling to identify emotional patterns and triggers. Mindfulness meditation increases present-moment awareness of emotional states. Actively seeking feedback about how one's behavior affects others builds external awareness. Practicing empathy involves deliberately considering others' perspectives before judging, asking questions to understand experiences different from one's own, and reading literature exposing one to diverse human experiences. Developing emotional intelligence requires consistent practice and a willingness to acknowledge uncomfortable emotions rather than suppressing them.
Writing Sample Prompt 31: Reflect on the role of mental health in overall well-being. Why is it important to prioritize mental health, and what practices help maintain psychological wellness?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Mental health fundamentally affects overall well-being, influencing physical health, relationships, productivity, and life satisfaction. Prioritizing mental health is essential because psychological distress manifests physically through stress-related illness, disrupted sleep, and weakened immunity. Untreated mental health issues strain relationships and diminish work performance. Maintaining psychological wellness requires multifaceted approaches. Regular exercise releases mood-regulating endorphins while improving self-esteem. Adequate sleep directly impacts emotional regulation and stress management. Social connections provide support and reduce isolation. Professional therapy offers tools for managing difficult emotions and changing unhelpful thought patterns. Mindfulness practices help manage anxiety by focusing attention on the present. Setting boundaries protects against burnout. Importantly, seeking help demonstrates strength, not weakness. Just as physical health requires maintenance, psychological wellness demands intentional effort and sometimes professional support.
Writing Sample Prompt 32: What does work-life balance mean to you, and how do you maintain it? Discuss the challenges of balancing professional ambitions with personal life and well-being.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Work-life balance means allocating time and energy to professional responsibilities without sacrificing personal relationships, health, or interests that provide fulfillment. It's not about equal time divisions but rather ensuring work doesn't completely dominate life. I maintain balance by setting clear boundaries—not checking emails after certain hours, protecting weekends for personal activities, and taking breaks during workdays. However, balancing professional ambitions with personal well-being presents constant challenges. Career advancement often demands extra effort, creating tension with personal time. The challenge intensifies when passion for work blurs boundaries. I've learned that sustainable success requires protecting time for relationships and self-care; burnout undermines long-term professional performance. Balance involves ongoing negotiation rather than permanent achievement, requiring regular reassessment of priorities and willingness to adjust when life feels imbalanced.
Writing Sample Prompt 33: Describe a moment when you stepped outside your comfort zone. What motivated you to take this risk, and what did you learn from the experience?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
I stepped outside my comfort zone by volunteering to lead a community project despite lacking leadership experience and fearing public speaking. Motivation came from recognizing that growth requires discomfort and that my ideas could genuinely help. Initially, I struggled coordinating team members and presenting to stakeholders, frequently doubting my capabilities. However, I learned that leadership involves listening more than directing and that vulnerability—admitting uncertainty and asking for help—builds trust rather than undermining authority. The experience taught me that competence develops through doing, not just preparation. Most surprisingly, I discovered others felt similar insecurities, and acknowledging this created authentic connections. This experience fundamentally shifted my relationship with fear; I now view discomfort as a growth indicator rather than a warning signal to retreat.
Writing Sample Prompt 34: What role does gratitude play in happiness and life satisfaction? How can practicing gratitude improve mental health and relationships?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Gratitude significantly enhances happiness and life satisfaction by shifting focus from what's lacking to what's present. Research shows regular gratitude practice reduces depression and anxiety while increasing overall well-being. Neurologically, gratitude activates brain regions associated with positive emotions and social bonding. It improves mental health by countering negative thought patterns—when actively identifying positive aspects, ruminating on problems becomes harder. Practicing gratitude strengthens relationships by making people feel valued and appreciated. Simple practices like keeping gratitude journals, expressing thanks directly to others, or mentally noting three daily positives can create meaningful changes. But gratitude shouldn't become toxic positivity, denying legitimate struggles. Authentic gratitude acknowledges life's difficulties while also recognizing good elements coexisting with challenges. This balanced perspective promotes resilience without invalidating genuine hardship.
Category 6: Arts and Culture (35-40)
Writing Sample Prompt 35: Analyze the impact of sports on promoting social unity and reducing cultural barriers. Provide specific examples to support your argument.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Sports powerfully promote social unity and reduce cultural barriers by creating shared experiences transcending language, ethnicity, and nationality. Major sporting events like the Olympics or World Cup unite people across divisions in collective celebration. When a national team succeeds, citizens from diverse backgrounds celebrate together, temporarily setting aside differences. Sports also facilitate cross-cultural understanding; international competitions showcase different nations, humanizing people often portrayed stereotypically in the media. Jackie Robinson, breaking baseball's color barrier, advanced American civil rights by demonstrating black excellence. However, sports can also reinforce divisions through excessive nationalism or hooliganism. The unifying potential is realized fully when the emphasis remains on sportsmanship, fair play, and mutual respect rather than purely winning. When treated as a bridge-building opportunity, sports create common ground, enabling connections that might not otherwise form.
Writing Sample Prompt 36: Should arts education (music, visual arts, theater) be considered as important as STEM subjects in schools? Defend your position with specific reasons.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Arts education deserves equal importance to STEM subjects because it develops crucial cognitive and emotional capabilities that STEM alone cannot provide. Arts education enhances creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving through different pathways than scientific thinking. Music training improves mathematical reasoning and language skills. Visual arts develop spatial reasoning and observation abilities. Theater builds empathy, communication, and collaboration skills. These competencies prove essential in any career; even engineers and scientists benefit from creative thinking and effective communication. Moreover, the arts provide cultural literacy and emotional expression outlets vital for well-rounded development. The false dichotomy between the arts and STEM ignores that innovation often emerges at their intersection. While STEM skills are economically important, reducing education purely to economic utility neglects human development's broader purposes. Comprehensive education cultivates both technical competence and creative, empathetic individuals.
Writing Sample Prompt 37: How does literature help us understand different cultures and perspectives? Reflect on a book that changed your understanding of the world.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Literature provides intimate access to experiences and perspectives otherwise unavailable, fostering empathy and cultural understanding. By allowing characters' internal thoughts and emotions, readers inhabit lives vastly different from their own, developing an appreciation for diverse viewpoints. Reading "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini transformed my understanding of Afghanistan beyond news media portrayals of conflict. The novel humanizes Afghan culture through personal stories of friendship, betrayal, and redemption against political upheaval. I understood how ordinary people navigate extraordinary circumstances, developing a nuanced perspective, replacing simplistic stereotypes. Literature's power lies in making abstract concepts personal—historical events become individual stories, cultural differences become relatable human experiences. This emotional connection creates a lasting understanding that factual information alone cannot achieve. Reading diversely cultivates cognitive empathy, essential for navigating our interconnected, multicultural world.
Writing Sample Prompt 38: Discuss the value of preserving cultural traditions in an increasingly globalized world. Should cultures adapt to modern values, or maintain traditional practices?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Preserving cultural traditions provides continuity, identity, and diverse wisdom in our globalized world, yet traditions should evolve rather than remain static. Cultural practices connect people to their heritage, offering belonging and meaning that globalization's homogenizing forces can erode. Traditional knowledge systems contain valuable insights about sustainability, community, and human relationships. However, not all traditional practices deserve preservation—those causing harm or denying rights require change. The question isn't whether to adapt or maintain, but how to evolve thoughtfully, preserving core values while discarding harmful elements. Japanese culture demonstrates this balance, maintaining traditional arts and values while embracing technological advancement. Cultures aren't museums frozen in time but living systems adapting to circumstances. The goal should be preserving cultural diversity and wisdom while ensuring practices align with human rights and wellbeing.
Writing Sample Prompt 39: Analyze the role of public art and monuments in shaping collective memory and identity. Should controversial historical monuments be removed, relocated, or contextualized?
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Public art and monuments powerfully shape collective memory by determining which histories receive prominent celebration and whose stories remain invisible. Monuments don't merely commemorate the past but actively influence present identity and values. Controversial monuments honoring problematic historical figures create ongoing harm, particularly for the communities those figures oppressed. Rather than simple removal or retention, contextualization offers a nuanced approach. Adding plaques explaining the full historical context, including atrocities committed, transforms monuments from uncritical celebration into educational opportunities. Some monuments merit removal to museums where historical context frames them appropriately. Creating new monuments honoring previously excluded voices corrects historical imbalance. The goal isn't erasing history but ensuring public spaces reflect inclusive values and accurate, complete historical narratives rather than perpetuating one-sided glorification of oppressive systems or individuals.
Writing Sample Prompt 40: How can music transcend language barriers and connect people across cultures? Share examples of how music has created unity or sparked social change.
High-Scoring Sample Answer:
Music transcends language barriers by communicating emotion and meaning through universal elements like rhythm, melody, and harmony that humans instinctively respond to, regardless of linguistic or cultural background. Music's emotional resonance creates immediate connections where words might fail. Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" has become a global celebration anthem despite its German lyrics. K-pop's worldwide popularity demonstrates music's ability to cross cultural boundaries, with fans appreciating artistry without understanding Korean. Historically, music has sparked social change—protest songs during America's Civil Rights Movement united activists and conveyed messages powerfully. "We Shall Overcome" transcended racial divisions, becoming a solidarity anthem. Similarly, musicians worldwide use their platforms to address injustice, environmental issues, and peace. Music's unique capacity for emotional communication makes it a powerful tool for building bridges and inspiring collective action across all human divisions.
Useful Resources and Preparation Tips
Recommended Practice Methods
1. Daily writing practice:
Write a 3–5 minute response to a new prompt every day. This consistent habit builds fluency, confidence, and adaptability across a wide range of topics.
2. Timed practice sessions:
Regularly practice under actual test conditions (3–5 minutes) to develop pacing instincts and reduce test-day anxiety.
3. Read high-quality examples:
Analyze well-written essays and sample responses. Notice how skilled writers structure arguments, use transitions, and develop ideas logically.
4. Vocabulary building:
Create topic-based word lists and learn not only meanings but also usage through example sentences.
5. Get feedback:
If possible, have English teachers or proficient speakers review your responses and provide specific suggestions for improvement.
To make your preparation more effective, you can also explore DETPractice for realistic mock tests, AI feedback, and curated practice resources.
Self-Assessment Checklist
After writing practice responses, evaluate yourself using these criteria:
l Task relevance: Does your response directly address the prompt?
l Organization: Are your ideas logically structured with clear transitions?
l Language range: Do you use a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures?
l Accuracy: Is the grammar, punctuation, and spelling correct?
l Development: Are your ideas well-supported with explanations and examples?
Explore More
To strengthen your preparation even further, check out these detailed guides:
· 60 Duolingo Photo Description Samples with High-Scoring Answers – Learn how top scorers describe images effectively using structured and natural English.
· Duolingo English Test Guide to DET Success – A complete preparation roadmap covering all question types, scoring insights, and expert study tips.
