A1–C2 · Duolingo English Test
Duolingo English Test Practice Test 38
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.amateur
2.drampory
3.thundal
4.brotity
5.nirate
6.mivub
7.network
8.appeal
9.sandwich
10.mention
11.bopible
12.graceful
13.beneath
14.ratio
15.brunar
Fill in the Blanks
Type the missing letters to complete the word in each sentence.
As a child I was afraid of swimming, but my coach patiently showed me how to flo on my back.
Never leave a candle burning in an empty room, even for a few minutes, since a single spark can start a fi.
Economists warn that a sudden rise in interest rates could push heavily indebted households toward bankr within a single year.
Once a week, volunteers from the retirement home visit the primary school to read stories to the chil.
So many people were waiting for the last bus that the driver simply smi and shook his head at the crowd.
Rain drummed against the tin roof so loudly that the two travellers could barely hear each oth speak.
Read and Complete
Type the missing letters to complete the text below.
Unlike sunshine or wind, ocean tides rise and fall with almost perfect predictability, which makes them an appealing source of renewable energy. Underwater turb, anchored firmly to the sea, spin as fast-moving tidal curr pass through narrow chan between islands or along a coastline. Because seawater is far denser than air, even a mod current can generate a surprising amount of electricity compared with a similarly sized wind turbine. Engin still face the challenge of protecting these machines from corro and the sheer for of storms in such a har, salty environment.
Interactive Reading
Read the passage and complete each step.
Today an umbrella is a cheap object that we lose on buses and forget in cafés, but its history is surprisingly long. The first umbrellas appeared in ancient China, Egypt and Greece more than three thousand years ago. They were not made to keep off the rain. Instead, they gave shade from the sun. In many places, only people or rulers were allowed to carry one. Servants held the umbrella over the head of an important person, which showed everyone his or her high position. Chinese craftsmen later covered their umbrellas with waxed paper so that they could be used in the rain. Europeans took much longer to accept the idea. In eighteenth-century London, men who umbrellas in the street were often laughed at, because people thought umbrellas were only for women. One traveller, Jonas Hanway, is said to have carried one through the streets from the 1750s, and slowly the habit spread. By the nineteenth century, cheaper steel frames made umbrellas to almost everyone. Since then, the basic design hardly changed.
16. The passage stops before its final sentence. Which sentence best completes it?
17. Highlight the answer: Which sentence explains what the first umbrellas were used for?
18. Highlight the answer: Which sentence tells us how Chinese makers made umbrellas useful in wet weather?
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)
Carla: I just got a message saying our flight to Lisbon was canceled.
David: Oh no, did they say why, or offer us another flight?
Carla: They mentioned bad weather and offered a flight tomorrow morning instead.
David: That works for me, let's accept it before the seats fill up.
7. What is the best reply to the last speaker?
8. Why was the flight canceled?
Summarize the conversation in one or two sentences.
Show sample answer
Model answer: Carla and David learn their flight to Lisbon was canceled due to bad weather, so they quickly accept an offered flight for the next morning.
Transcript (available after checking)
David: Our washing machine stopped working halfway through the cycle this morning.
Emma: That's frustrating. Did you check if the drain hose might be blocked?
David: I did, and it looks clear, so I'm not sure what the problem is.
Emma: Let's call a repair technician then, since we clearly can't fix it ourselves.
9. What is the best reply to the last speaker?
10. What did David check on the washing machine?
Summarize the conversation in one or two sentences.
Show sample answer
Model answer: David and Emma try to figure out why their washing machine stopped working and decide to call a repair technician for help.
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 rabbit with two long ears sitting quietly. Rabbits are usually shy, and they love eating carrots and fresh grass in the garden.
Describe this picture in one or two sentences.
Show sample answer
Model answer: I can see a round clock with two hands. It tells us the time, and I have a similar one on my kitchen wall so that I am never late for work.
Describe this picture in one or two sentences.
Show sample answer
Model answer: This is a simple wooden chair with four legs. You might find one at a dining table or in a classroom, and a comfortable chair is really important when you study for hours.
Interactive Writing
Answer the question.
Is it better to spend your money on experiences, like trips and concerts, or on things you can keep, like clothes and gadgets? Explain your choice.
Show sample answer
Model answer: I prefer to spend on experiences. A new jacket is exciting for a week, but I still talk about the mountain trip I took five years ago. Memories do not break or go out of fashion. Still, it is sensible to buy a few good things that you use every day, such as comfortable shoes.
Writing Sample
Write about the topic for up to three minutes.
What makes a good neighbour? Describe someone who lives near you or has lived near you.
Show sample answer
Model answer: A good neighbour is friendly, respectful and willing to help without becoming too curious about your private life. The best neighbour I ever had was an elderly man called Mr Ali, who lived on the floor below me. He watered my plants when I was away and never complained about my footsteps. Sometimes he left vegetables from his garden at my door. We were not close friends, but I always knew I could knock on his door in an emergency, and that gave me a sense of security.
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 is a picture of a fish. It looks like it is moving through the water. Fish live in oceans, lakes and rivers, and some people also keep them at home in a tank. I think watching fish is very calming, and it is also a popular thing to do in an aquarium.
Read, Then Speak
Read the prompt, then speak about it.
Imagine that you are given the chance to start your own business. What kind of business would you open, and what would be the biggest challenge?
Show sample answer
Model answer: I would open a small bookshop with a cafe, where people can read and have coffee together. I love books, and I think that many people are looking for calm places to spend time. The biggest challenge would be money, because rent is expensive and online shops sell books at low prices. To succeed, I would organise events such as poetry evenings and book clubs, so that customers feel part of a community, not just buyers.
Interactive Speaking
Answer each question in turn.
Have you decorated your home recently?
Show sample answer
Model answer: Yes, I repainted my living room and bought some new curtains a few months ago.
What style do you usually prefer for your home?
Show sample answer
Model answer: I prefer a simple, bright style with plenty of plants and natural light.
Do you prefer decorating a home yourself or hiring someone to do it?
Show sample answer
Model answer: I prefer doing small things myself, like painting, but I would hire someone for anything electrical or complicated.
Tell me about a decorating project that took longer than expected.
Show sample answer
Model answer: Assembling a bookshelf took me an entire weekend, mostly because the instructions were confusing and I had to redo one part twice.
Why do you think the way our home looks can affect our mood?
Show sample answer
Model answer: A cluttered or dark space can make you feel tired and stressed, while a tidy, bright home tends to help you feel calmer and more organised.
Do you think people spend too much money on home decoration these days? Discuss.
Show sample answer
Model answer: I think some people do overspend, often influenced by social media trends, but a comfortable home is where we spend most of our lives, so a reasonable investment does not seem unreasonable to me.
Speaking Sample
Speak about the topic for up to three minutes.
Describe a small everyday pleasure that makes your day better. Explain why it matters to you.
Show sample answer
Model answer: One small pleasure in my day is the first cup of tea in the morning, which I drink standing at the window before anyone else is awake. It lasts only ten minutes, but it gives me time to think and watch the street slowly waking up. Sometimes I see a neighbour walking a dog, or the baker opening his shop. It matters to me because the rest of my day is usually busy and noisy. When I skip this moment, I feel rushed until the evening. So I have learned that a tiny ritual can affect my mood more than I expected.
Keep your streak going
Up next: Duolingo English Test Practice Test 39