DET Speak About the Photo: Scoring, Strategies & DET Practice Tips

The Duolingo English Test (DET) officially states that “Speak about the photo” is one of its most representative tasks. After 20 seconds of preparation, candidates must describe a real photo orally within 90 seconds. This guide highlights the official scoring criteria, the importance of content and precise vocabulary, and offers practical strategies along with DETPractice resources to help candidates improve fluency, grammar, and confidence.

6 Scoring Dimensions in the Duolingo English Test

According to the official guidelines of the Duolingo English Test, the scoring criteria for this task are consistent with the overall exam and include the following six aspects:

1. Content Completeness

Describe the environment, people, actions, and possible relationships without missing key details.

Special Note: The Duolingo English Test emphasizes that among all scoring criteria, content is the top priority.

2. Discourse Coherence

Sentences connect naturally, with smooth transitions from general to specific.

3. Fluency

Speech is fluent, pauses are natural, and comprehension is not affected.

4. Grammar Accuracy

Use varied grammar such as the present continuous, relative clauses, and passive voice.

5. Vocabulary Use

Use precise, image-related vocabulary, avoiding awkward or inappropriate expressions.

Special Note: Vocabulary is not about difficulty but about precision and relevance, as officially stated by the Duolingo English Test.

6. Pronunciation Clarity

Pronunciation is clear with natural intonation, and minor flaws do not hinder understanding.

Features of a High-Scoring Spoken Response in the DET

The Duolingo English Test officially indicates that high-scoring responses usually demonstrate the following features:

· Comprehensive content combining details with inferences

· Clear discourse structure with natural logic

· High fluency with reasonable pauses

· Varied and accurate grammar usage

· Rich and appropriate vocabulary

· Clear pronunciation with natural intonation

Common Challenges and Solutions in the Duolingo English Test

In the “Speak about the photo” task, many candidates face the problem of “having nothing to say” or “missing the key points.” The official guidance suggests the following methods:

· Spot the Difference

Compare similar pictures to train detailed observation and paraphrasing.

· Vocabulary Master

Quickly brainstorm key vocabulary during preparation to improve accuracy.

· Same or Different

Describe carefully to judge similarities or differences, strengthening expression skills.

· Three Ways to Extend Responses

Comparative analysis: compare elements in the picture

Perspective shift: moving from the whole to the details

Time dimension: speculating on causes and consequences

DETPractice Supportive Practices for the Duolingo English Test

To better prepare for the Duolingo English Test, candidates can use the specialized exercises provided by DETPractice:

· Online Simulations: DETPractice offers mock tests, helping candidates get familiar with the task.

· Video Tutorials: The official TikTok account of DETPractice updates practice videos related to “Speak about the photo,” showing strategies and high-scoring responses.

· Targeted Training: With DETPractice exercises, candidates can make specific improvements in vocabulary, grammar, and fluency.

· DET Speak About the Photo – Template and Strategies: A structured guide that provides ready-to-use templates and proven strategies to organize responses effectively and maximize scores.

Conclusion

The “Speak about the photo” task in the Duolingo English Test is a key section to showcase language ability. Candidates should focus on content completeness and logical flow, use grammar and vocabulary appropriately, and maintain natural fluency. It is especially important to remember that content is the most important scoring criterion, and vocabulary should be precise and relevant. At the same time, by using DETPractice exercises and DETPractice official TikTok video resources, candidates can improve their performance more effectively and achieve excellent results in the Duolingo English Test.