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Pre-Writing Tips for All Types
1. Planning (1 Minute)
Practice Task Examples & Model Responses Task Types:
Prompt: "Should parents be held responsible if their child causes trouble in public?" Model (150 words): Yes, parents should be accountable for their child’s misbehavior. First, children learn from adults; if parents neglect discipline, kids may act out. For example, my cousin threw tantrums in stores until his parents set clear rules. Second, legal consequences motivate better parenting. In Japan, I read that fines for unruly children reduced public disturbances by 30% . Some argue kids have free will, but young minds lack judgment. If a 7-year-old vandalizes property, it reflects parental oversight. Ultimately, holding parents responsible fosters safer communities. I hope more countries adopt this policy. 16B: Explanation Essay Prompt: "Why do people visit museums when traveling?" Model (130 words): People likely visit museums for three reasons. First, museums offer cultural immersion. For instance, the Louvre showcases French history through art. Second, they provide climate-controlled leisure—a respite from heat or rain. Perhaps that’s why Cairo’s museums are packed in summer. Another theory involves social media. Iconic exhibits, like Van Gogh’s Starry Night, attract visitors seeking photos. However, some may simply follow guidebooks. When I toured Rome, my itinerary listed the Vatican Museums as a ‘must-see.’ In short, museums combine education, comfort, and trendiness—perfect for travelers. 16C: Cause & Effect Essay Prompt: "What were negative effects of online classes during the pandemic?" Model (140 words): Online learning caused three major issues. First, screen fatigue reduced focus. My sister’s grades dropped as she struggled to stare at Zoom for hours. Second, inequality worsened. Poor students without laptops fell behind—a 2021 UNICEF report confirmed this gap. Moreover, socialization suffered. Children lost chances to develop teamwork skills. For example, my nephew became shy after months of isolated learning. Consequently, schools now blend online and in-person classes to balance safety and quality. While online classes were necessary, their effects linger. Hopefully, future systems will address these flaws. Post-Writing Assessment Self-Check for All Types:
Practice Tasks
Key Takeaways
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Pre-Writing Tips
1. Structure Your Response
Task Type: Write 50+ words in 5 minutes responding to a prompt (e.g., inventions, personal experiences). Task Example Prompt: "Choose one invention: the car, telephone, or microwave. Explain how it changed lives." Model Response (165 words) Nowadays, the microwave is as essential as a refrigerator in most homes. I first realized its impact when I moved abroad for university. Unlike traditional ovens, which required tedious preheating, my microwave cooked frozen meals in minutes—a lifesaver during exam weeks! First, it transformed efficiency. My grandmother spent hours baking, but I reheat leftovers instantly. Moreover, it’s safer for children; my niece warms milk without touching the stove. However, some argue it promotes laziness—my cousin only eats microwave noodles, which worries her nutritionist. Personally, it’s a double-edged sword. While I love making steamy popcorn for movie nights, I’ve forgotten how to bake bread from scratch. Still, for time-strapped workers or students, its convenience is unmatched. In the future, microwaves might become even smarter, but nothing will replace their role in democratizing quick meals. Post-Writing Assessment Self-Check Checklist:
Practice Task Prompt: "Describe a time technology helped you solve a problem." Write 50+ words, then ask:
Key Takeaways
Pre-Writing Tips
1. Structure Your Response
Task Type: Write 1-2 sentences (30+ words total) in 1 minute based on a photo. Task Example Photo Description: A group of six young adults (four seated women, two standing men) in a tree-lined park. They wear backpacks, smile, and seem to be discussing something lively. Sunny weather. 
.Model Answers
Option 1 (Inference Focus):
Post-Writing Assessment Self-Check Questions:
Practice Task Photo Description: An elderly man plays chess with a child . Write 2 sentences (1 min). Then ask:
Pre-Speaking Tips
1. Plan During the 20-Second Prep Time
Practice Task Type: Describe a photo in 1.5 minutes after 20 seconds of prep time. Focus: Storytelling, vivid descriptions, and natural fluency. Model Transcript (1.5 Minutes / ~200 Words) 
(Opening: Describe the Scene)
"This is such a fun picture! In the foreground, there’s a striking orange-and-black dog—it looks exactly like a tiny tiger—pressing its paws against a white picket fence. Its tail is even striped! Behind the dog, I can see a young bamboo plant in the yard, which makes me wonder if the owners love exotic things." (Main Action + Speculation) "The dog is staring intensely into the next yard, like it’s desperate to jump over. Maybe there’s another pet there, or food! On the street, two people are walking by, and one seems to be pointing at the dog. I bet this pup is a neighborhood attraction—perhaps the owners painted it for a festival or just for fun. It’s definitely not a real tiger... but from a distance, you might do a double take!" (Story Extension + Closing) "Imagine being those pedestrians! One second you’re chatting, the next you see a ‘tiger’ in someone’s yard. I’d stop to take a photo too. This dog probably gets treats for being so patient with all the attention. What a clever idea—who needs a guard dog when you have a ‘guard tiger’?"
(Opening: Describe the Scene)
"This is such a fun picture! In the foreground, there’s a striking orange-and-black dog—it looks exactly like a tiny tiger—pressing its paws against a white picket fence. Its tail is even striped! Behind the dog, I can see a young bamboo plant in the yard, which makes me wonder if the owners love exotic things." (Main Action + Speculation) "The dog is staring intensely into the next yard, like it’s desperate to jump over. Maybe there’s another pet there, or food! On the street, two people are walking by, and one seems to be pointing at the dog. I bet this pup is a neighborhood attraction—perhaps the owners painted it for a festival or just for fun. It’s definitely not a real tiger... but from a distance, you might do a double take!" (Story Extension + Closing) "Imagine being those pedestrians! One second you’re chatting, the next you see a ‘tiger’ in someone’s yard. I’d stop to take a photo too. This dog probably gets treats for being so patient with all the attention. What a clever idea—who needs a guard dog when you have a ‘guard tiger’?" Post-Speaking Assessment Self-Check Questions:
Key Takeaways
.Pre-Speaking Tips
1. Active Listening & Note-Taking
Practice
Task Type: Listen to a short spoken prompt (can replay 3 times), then respond for 30-90 seconds to 2-3 follow-up questions. Task Example Prompt (Audio): "Describe a food you didn’t like. Where did you eat it? Why didn’t you like it?" Model Answer (350 words / ~90 sec) (Introduction) "Okay, so the food I really didn’t like was natto. It’s basically a fermented soybean dish from Japan. I tried it last year when I was in Tokyo, and honestly? It was an awful experience. (Main Points) So whereabouts was this restaurant? I ate it at a tiny traditional restaurant near Shinjuku, which is a northern area of Tokyo. My friend—who loves natto—ordered it for me, saying, ‘It’s a must-try!’ Why did I dislike it? First, the texture was like sticky glue with beans. Second, the smell was, well how do I describe it... it was like old cheese mixed with wet socks. But the worst part? The aftertaste lingered for HOURS. I drank three teas to get rid of it! (Extension: Anecdote + Opinion) Funny thing—my friend filmed my reaction on his phone. If you see it, you’ll notice my face went from curiosity to horror in seconds! I get why it’s healthy - it’s apparently full of protein, but I’d rather starve than eat this and I don’t know how anyone can like it. (Conclusion: Future Intent) Still, I don’t regret trying it because it makes a good story. But now, I’ll research a dish before letting someone order it for me. Maybe I’ll give natto another chance but way into the future ... like in 10 years." Post-Speaking Assessment Self-Check Questions: Did I answer all parts?
Practice Task Prompt (Audio): "Talk about a time you helped someone. Who was it? How did you help them?" Record yourself and ask:
Key Takeaways
Pre-Speaking Tips
1. Content Preparation
Task Example Prompt: Describe a festival you enjoyed.
Task Type: Describe a topic (person/place/event/object) in 30-90 seconds after reading a prompt. Model Answer (350 words / ~90 sec) (Background) "One of my favorite festivals is Diwali, the Festival of Lights. I celebrated it last year in Delhi with my cousins, and it was unforgettable. (Main Points) First, Diwali is all about lights, sweets, and family. We decorated our house with diyas (small lamps) and colorful rangoli patterns. Then, in the evening, we lit fireworks—my cousin accidentally set off a huge sparkler that scared the neighbors! What made it special was the atmosphere. The whole city was glowing, and everyone shared treats like gulab jamun (my favorite dessert). But the best part was the family reunion. We hadn’t all been together in years, so we stayed up late telling stories. (Extra Detail) I also learned about the meaning behind Diwali—it celebrates good over evil. My grandmother told us the story of Lord Rama, which made the festival feel deeper than just parties. (Conclusion) Now, even if I’m busy, I’ll always make time for Diwali. It’s not just the lights; it’s the feeling of home." Assessment & Reflection Self-Check After Practicing:
Practice Task Prompt: Describe a place you’d like to visit.
Key Takeaway Balance structure (answer all questions) with natural flow (stories, emphasis, pacing). The DET rewards detailed, engaging responses over perfect grammar! |
Duolingo
AuthorNevin Blumer (MA Applied Linguistics, B.Ed., B.Mgmt, TESL Dip) has been teaching DET since it first arrived in 2016 and is the Director of TPS Archives
June 2025
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