Introduction
The Write About the Photo question type on the Duolingo English Test catches many students by surprise.
Why?
Because it goes by fast, real fast.
You have an image appear and 60 seconds to write. And then another image and another 60 seconds. Followed by a final image and a fresh 60-second timer counting down.
While shorter questions may sound like a test-taker’s dream, it can turn into a nightmare if you do not know exactly what you plan to write before the test.
Which is why in this short article we are going to cover everything you need to know about the Write About the Photo question type so you can write well and score high on test day.
But if you are just in the market for some free practice questions and would like to skip the article, check out the free question sample.
Over 100 Free DET Practice Questions
Here’s what you will learn:
Write About the Photo Questions - Everything You Need to Know
The Write About the Photo question type will appear three times in a row on test day and contribute to your Literacy and Production score (Writing).
Details:
Time Constraint
There is no preparation time for this question. You have 60 seconds to write about the photo as soon as it appears.
Question Frequency
On each Duolingo English test you will have 3 Write About the Photo questions in consecutive order. They will show up around the midpoint of your exam, after the Interactive Listening.
Minimum Response Length
The directions only ask for one complete sentence but aim to write at least two. In terms of word count, write at least 35 words.
Sentence Structure
Be sure to write in complete sentences. Some students feel rushed and end up using incomplete sentences. Avoid this mistake since it will hurt your score.
Standard Writing Conventions
Use American English and avoid casual written speech that may be commonly used on social media or text messaging (e.g. brb).
Write About the Photo - How to Start, Expand, and End Your Response
- Foreground Focus: Start by looking at the foreground, which is usually the first thing you notice in the picture.
- Actions Description: If you haven’t already, describe the actions you see taking place. You will most likely use the present progressive tense when describing actions in an image.
- Inferences and Additional Details: Take a guess about anything you are unsure about. This could be about the people, the place, or the actions being taken.
- People: Describe the people in the image. What are they wearing? What are they doing? How are they interacting with others? You can even make an inference about how they might feel.
- Location: Describe the location. Is it indoors or outdoors? What are some items in that location? Be descriptive and make inferences if you are unsure.
Key Tips and Tricks for Write About the Photo Questions
Practice Tips and Tricks
- Blind Person Analogy: Imagine you’re describing the photo to someone who cannot see it. This helps you focus on providing clear and detailed information.
- Word Count: Generally speaking, the more words you write the better, as long as the sentences are not sloppy, incomplete, or filled with typos. At least 40 words should be enough, but don’t worry as long as you have more than 30.
- Editing Time: Plan on leaving a few seconds at the end for a quick review of your writing so you can correct any obvious typos.
- Descriptive Language: Use a rich variety of descriptive adjectives and adverbs to paint a vivid picture with your words.
- Specific Vocabulary: Avoid words like “thing”, “woman” and “place.” These words are not specific. Say words like “piano”, “pharmacist” and “opera house” to prove you know a wide range of English vocabulary.
Write About the Photo: Grading Criteria
All the writing questions on the Duolingo English Test follow the same grading criteria. Here is a summary based on the DET Test Readiness Guide.
- Accurate Grammar: Use correct grammar and sentence structure in your response. An easy way to do this well is to stick to the simple present or present progressive as much as possible. Use other verb tenses and grammatical forms if time permits.
- Complex Grammar: If your response is just a bunch of simple sentences you will not perform well, for example, “This is a picture of a boy. The boy is running. He is wearing a blue shirt.” Vary your sentence structure.
- High-level Vocabulary: Aim to be specific. Instead of saying “tool” say what kind of tool, like “hammer.” Instead of saying “shirt,” describe it, “a tight-fitting turtleneck.” Descriptive and specific vocabulary will help improve your score.
- A Wide Range of Vocabulary: Same advice as I just mentioned, be specific and descriptive to show a rich vocabulary.
- Task Relevance: Be sure to describe the image. Do not include your personal opinion or experience in this question.
- Fluency: Aim for a word count of 30-50 words. Be sure to use complete and accurate sentences.
Over 100 Free DET Practice Questions
Conclusion
The Write About the Photo questions are deceptively simple. They show you an image and you have to write about it for 60 seconds.
However, it is easy to fall into the simple sentence trap. Do not just list out things you see:
“There is a girl. She is jumping. She is in school.”
Not only is it boring to read, but it also shows little to no mastery of the English language. Be descriptive and use multiple tenses to display a wide range of both grammatical and lexical knowledge.
Leave yourself a few precious seconds at the end to check for typos or sentence fragments.
Keep these tips in mind and I’m sure you will do great!
What do you think? Did that help?
Do you have any more tips for this question type?
Share in the comments below and help us all improve.
