Writing Sample Questions on the Duolingo English Test: How to Answer and Score High

Author

Josh MacPherson

Head Instructor at TST Prep

Introduction

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is now accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide.

Feel confused by all of the DET question types?

You’re not alone, which is why we are going to take you through the Writing Sample question type, which asks you to write for five minutes about a random question.

Keep reading to learn:

How to write a high-scoring essay for the Writing Sample
How to practice for free
What to expect on test day

Or…

If you just want to try some free practice, check out this free example here.

Over 100 Free DET Practice Questions

Here's what you need to know:

Quick Tips

Question Types

How to Practice

Self-Grading Checklist

Additional Tips

Writing Sample - Everything You Need to Know

Writing Sample questions provide a written prompt and ask you to write a response for 3 to 5 minutes. On test day, you will be graded on your grammar, vocabulary, structure, and ability to organize your thoughts coherently.

Details:

Preparation Time

You have 30 seconds to prepare your response after reading the prompt.

Question Frequency and Placement

There is only one Writing Sample question on test day and it is usually the last question on the exam (yay!).

Writing Time

You have between 3 to 5 minutes to write your response. Aim to write continuously for the entire time (the more you write, the better).

Minimum Word Count

You must write at least 100 words, but I recommend a higher count of at least 130 words.

Mini-Essay Structure

Think of your response like a mini-essay. Include an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Check the example below:

INTRODUCTION – BODY – CONCLUSION

Describe your favorite teacher. Which qualities did you respect most?

Over the years, I have attended many classes and had different types of teachers. One teacher who stands out in my mind as the best teacher I have ever had was my high school history teacher. He was extremely compassionate and would hold study sessions before tests to help students who may have been struggling during a unit. His lectures were engaging, and he kept the students gripped with intrigue as he taught. Furthermore, he always made sure that there were hands-on projects to help us further understand the material. I remember one time we were learning about the House of Representatives and the Senate, so he turned the classroom into Congress to help us understand how it worked. I still think about that project every time I hear about politics in America today. He was so dedicated to making sure his students found success.

Writing Sample - Quick Tips

Stay on Topic:
Sounds simple, but going off-topic and answering the wrong question happens more often than you think. Make sure your response directly addresses every aspect of the question.
Target Word Count:
Aim for a word count between 100-200 words.
Proofreading is Essential:
Leave at least 30 seconds at the end to check for typos and spelling errors. There is no spellcheck on test day, so be sure to practice without it.
Structured Response:
As I mentioned before, follow a mini-essay structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion to improve your clarity and coherence.

Writing Sample - Question Types

Opinion - General Topic:

These prompts ask for your opinion on a general issue, requiring you to support your stance with reasons and examples.

EXAMPLE: Artists and scientists both create to benefit society. Compare the contributions of artists and scientists to culture. Which contribution do you think has more value in your culture? Explain why.

Describe - General Topic:

These prompts require you to describe a general topic, providing detailed information and examples.

EXAMPLE: People learn in different ways. Some people learn by doing while others learn by listening to people. Describe the positive and negative aspects of each approach. Give examples.

Describe - Personal Experience:

These prompts ask you to recount a personal experience related to the topic, providing specific details and examples.

EXAMPLE: Describe your favorite teacher. Which qualities did you respect most?

Writing Sample - How to Practice

Try Some Practice Questions: Practice with Writing Sample prompts from the official Duolingo English Test website and other helpful sources like DET Ready.

Time Yourself: You might struggle to write for three minutes straight. Start slow and aim to improve by ten-second intervals. Over time, you will get better at writing quickly and efficiently for up to five minutes, I promise 😉

Self-Evaluation: Use the Writing Sample Checklist below to evaluate your responses and identify areas in need of improvement.

Writing Sample - Self-Grading Checklist

Did I write at least 100 words?
Did my introduction restate the main idea of the question?
Did I expand on my point(s) with additional details or a personal example?
Did I have enough time to include a short conclusion?
Did I include at least ten words at a B1 CEFR level or higher?
Did I have at least 30 seconds to edit my response?
Did I have fewer than three grammar, spelling, or formatting mistakes?
Did I include at least one comma?
What can I do next time to improve my response?

Writing Sample - Additional Tips

Personalization: Include personal examples if it is appropriate. Your essay will sound more interesting and engaging. It will also make it much easier to expand your response and include more words.

Vocabulary Focus: Vary your vocabulary to prove a higher level of English comprehension. Use a CEFR vocabulary checker to check your word choices and try to include at least ten words at a B1 level or higher.

Writing Sample: Free Practice with TST Prep

On the TST Prep platform, the Writing Sample question is displayed in a format that closely resembles the actual Duolingo English Test. The writing box below is where you type your response, with a word counter and a timer to ensure you practice within the exam’s constraints.

Once you submit your written response, the TST Prep system evaluates your grammar. It highlights errors in sentence structure, punctuation, verb usage, and more. Each mistake is clearly pointed out with suggested corrections, helping you to refine your writing and ensure your grammatical accuracy is as strong as possible for the test.

After submitting, you will receive detailed feedback on your performance. This includes evaluations of your content relevance, coherence, and grammar, as well as recommendations for improvement. The comprehensive feedback helps you identify key areas to focus on and ensures you’re well-prepared for the actual Duolingo English Test writing section. Try a free example here.

Over 100 Free DET Practice Questions

Conclusion

The Writing Sample question type is a pain in the neck because you have to write about an unfamiliar topic for up to five minutes, but I hope you now feel more comfortable and confident.

Focus on understanding the prompt, organizing your thoughts, and varying your vocabulary in your essay. Be sure to practice regularly with the checklist and review your grammar and organization.

Following these tips and I am sure you are going to do great on test day!

Do you have any more tips for this question type? Share in the comments below and help us all improve 🙂