A1–C2 · Duolingo English Test
Duolingo English Test Practice Test 20
AI-generated practice paper in the style of Duolingo English Test — original material, not a reproduction of any real exam paper, following the official task types. Listening audio is read aloud by your browser's voice. For Speaking you can record yourself and compare with a model answer, and Writing tasks include a model answer — neither is scored automatically, since that needs real speech and writing evaluation this site does not offer for this exam.
Reading
Read and Select
Look at each word. Is it a real English word?
1.gloson
2.geevot
3.knight
4.dolphin
5.foortish
6.hilib
7.trumpet
8.choondel
9.thuskible
10.conceal
11.resign
12.lucid
13.outweigh
14.anecdote
15.thabot
Fill in the Blanks
Type the missing letters to complete the word in each sentence.
Nobody wants to hear this, but skipping breakfast and then eating a huge lunch is rarely a heal habit.
Provided that the applicant submits every required document before Friday, the visa should be processed without any further del.
Slowly stirring the risotto for twenty minutes is tiring, but the cre texture makes every minute worthwhile.
Sleeping badly for several nights makes it hard to concen at work, and it can even change your mood.
Although most people prefer speaking to typing, many customers actually find messaging a company less stre than phoning.
I usually drink a big glass of milk before I go to sle because it helps me relax.
Read and Complete
Type the missing letters to complete the text below.
Beyond books and films, some public libraries now let members borrow practical tools instead of buying them outright. A resi who needs a drill for one weekend project can simply return it afterwards rather than leaving it unused in a cupb for years. Libraries stoc these tool collections report that sew machines, ladd, and garden equipment are consis among the most popular items borrowed each month. Suppo argue that sharing expensive equipment this way redu household waste and gives lower-inc families access to tools they would otherwise never be able to aff.
Interactive Reading
Read the passage and complete each step.
For most of human history, the question of whether other stars had planets of their own remained pure speculation, since no instrument could detect a world so distant and faint. That changed in 1995, when Swiss astronomers Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz the discovery of a planet orbiting a sun-like star roughly fifty light years away. Rather than photographing the planet directly, which remains extremely difficult even today, the astronomers detected it indirectly, by measuring a tiny, regular wobble in the star's light caused by the planet's gravity as it orbited. The discovery triggered an explosion of interest, and astronomers soon developed additional techniques, including watching for the faint dimming that occurs when a planet passes directly in front of its star. Space telescopes purpose-built for this second method have since thousands of confirmed exoplanets, ranging from scorched worlds orbiting perilously close to their stars to icy giants on distant, slow orbits. A small but growing number of these worlds orbit within their star's so-called habitable zone, the range of distances where liquid water could theoretically exist on a rocky surface. Amateur astronomers now confirmed sightings using backyard telescopes. None of this proves that life exists elsewhere, and confirming the atmosphere of a distant, rocky planet remains an technical challenge. Even so, astronomers now believe planets vastly outnumber stars in our galaxy, a conclusion unimaginable only thirty years ago.
16. The passage stops before its final sentence. Which sentence best completes it?
17. Highlight the answer: Which sentence describes how Mayor and Queloz detected their planet?
18. Highlight the answer: Which sentence explains what the habitable zone is?
19. What is the main idea of the passage?
20. What is the best title for the passage?
Listening
Listen and Type
Listen and type the sentence you hear. You can play the audio as many times as you like.
1. Type what you hear.
2. Type what you hear.
3. Type what you hear.
4. Type what you hear.
5. Type what you hear.
6. Type what you hear.
Interactive Listening
Listen to each conversation, then answer.
Transcript (available after checking)
Grace: Should we take the highway home, or the back roads like last time?
Henry: My phone shows heavy traffic on the highway right now because of an accident.
Grace: In that case, let's take the back roads even though they're a bit longer.
Henry: Agreed, better a longer drive than sitting still in traffic for an hour.
7. What is the best reply to the last speaker?
8. Why is there heavy traffic on the highway?
Summarize the conversation in one or two sentences.
Show sample answer
Model answer: Grace and Henry decide to take the longer back roads home after learning the highway has heavy traffic because of an accident.
Transcript (available after checking)
Carla: Are we still planning to repaint the fence this weekend?
David: Yes, as long as the weather stays dry on Saturday morning.
Carla: Good, I already bought the paint, so we just need brushes and rollers.
David: I have those in the shed, so we should be all set.
9. What is the best reply to the last speaker?
10. What has Carla already bought for the project?
Summarize the conversation in one or two sentences.
Show sample answer
Model answer: Carla and David plan to repaint their fence on Saturday, with Carla providing the paint and David supplying the brushes and rollers.
Writing
Write About the Photo
Look at each picture and write one or two sentences describing it.
Describe this picture in one or two sentences.
Show sample answer
Model answer: I can see a yellow duck with a flat beak. Ducks usually swim on ponds, and children like feeding them bread, although it is better to give them seeds.
Describe this picture in one or two sentences.
Show sample answer
Model answer: The picture shows a monkey with a long tail. Monkeys are clever and playful animals, and they usually live in trees where they can find fruit to eat.
Describe this picture in one or two sentences.
Show sample answer
Model answer: This is a cat with pointed ears and a long tail. Cats like to sleep on sofas or sit by a sunny window, so it probably belongs in someone's home.
Interactive Writing
Answer the question.
You are planning a birthday surprise for a close friend who loves being outdoors. What would you organise, and how would you make sure it stays a secret until the day?
Show sample answer
Model answer: I would organise a picnic at the lake where she likes to walk. I would ask her sister to invite her for a normal walk and then meet us there with food and a cake. To keep it secret, I would only talk about the plan with people who are coming, using a private group chat that she cannot see.
Writing Sample
Write about the topic for up to three minutes.
What are the benefits of volunteering, both for the volunteer and for the community?
Show sample answer
Model answer: Volunteering benefits everyone involved. The community gets extra help with things such as feeding homeless people or teaching children to read, often at no cost. The volunteers gain new skills, meet interesting people and feel that their time is meaningful. When I helped at an animal shelter for six months, I learned how to work in a team, and I also became more patient. It is also a good way to add experience to your CV. I would encourage anyone with a few free hours a week to try it.
Speaking
Speak About the Photo
Look at the picture and speak about it for 30 seconds.
Speak about the picture. Say as much as you can.
Show sample answer
Model answer: This picture shows a mobile phone. It has a screen, and I imagine someone is using it to make a call or send a message. Phones are very useful because we can take photos, find information and stay in touch with people. However, I think we should not use them all the time, especially when we are with friends.
Read, Then Speak
Read the prompt, then speak about it.
Your best friend is moving to another city next month. Talk about how you feel and what you will do to stay in touch.
Show sample answer
Model answer: I feel sad, because we have spent almost every weekend together for ten years. At the same time, I am happy for her, since the new job is a big opportunity. To stay in touch, we plan to have a video call every Sunday evening and send each other photos during the week. I will also visit her in the spring, and she has promised to show me her favourite places. Real friendship should survive the distance.
Interactive Speaking
Answer each question in turn.
Do you recycle at home?
Show sample answer
Model answer: Yes, we sort paper, plastic and glass into separate bins every week.
What other things do you do to help the environment?
Show sample answer
Model answer: I try to use a reusable bottle and bag, and I avoid buying things with too much plastic packaging.
How easy or difficult is it to recycle where you live?
Show sample answer
Model answer: It is fairly easy, since there are clearly labelled bins on almost every street corner.
Tell me about a moment that made you think more about environmental problems.
Show sample answer
Model answer: A documentary about plastic in the ocean shocked me, and I started paying much closer attention to my own waste after watching it.
Why do you think some people still do not bother to recycle?
Show sample answer
Model answer: Some people find it inconvenient or believe that their small effort will not make a real difference, especially if they think large companies pollute far more.
Do you think individual actions like recycling really matter, or should the focus be on big companies and governments? Discuss.
Show sample answer
Model answer: I think both matter, because individual habits build a culture of caring about the environment, but the biggest changes will only happen when companies and governments change their policies too.
Speaking Sample
Speak about the topic for up to three minutes.
What role should art and music play in schools? Discuss whether they are as important as subjects like maths and science.
Show sample answer
Model answer: I believe art and music deserve a serious place in schools, although I would not say they are more important than maths or science. They help children express feelings, develop creativity and work in a team, for example in a choir or a band. Studies also suggest that music can improve memory and concentration. Unfortunately, when schools have limited budgets, art and music are often the first subjects to be cut. I think this is a mistake, because not every child is strong in academic subjects, and creative lessons may be the only place where they feel confident. A balanced education should include both.
Keep your streak going
Up next: Duolingo English Test Practice Test 21