Sample speaking-task prompts and fluency scoring criteria for the Duolingo English Test's production speaking section.
30 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is the general format of the DET's speaking tasks?
- Test takers record a short spoken response to a prompt, ranging from describing an image to giving an opinion
- What is fluency in the context of speaking assessment?
- The ability to speak smoothly and continuously without excessive pausing or hesitation
- What is pronunciation as a speaking scoring criterion?
- How clearly and accurately individual sounds and words are spoken so a listener can understand them
- What is grammatical accuracy in a spoken response?
- Correct use of sentence structure and word forms while speaking, similar to what is scored in writing
- What is vocabulary range as a speaking scoring criterion?
- The variety and appropriateness of words used in a spoken response
- Sample prompt: 'Describe your favorite place to visit.' What should a strong spoken response prioritize?
- Specific, concrete details about the place and clear reasons why it is a favorite
- Sample prompt: 'What are the advantages of living in a big city?' What kind of response structure works well here?
- State a clear main point, then give two or three specific supporting reasons or examples
- Why is it acceptable to pause briefly while speaking, as long as pauses are not excessive?
- Brief natural pauses are normal in speech; only frequent or lengthy hesitation significantly hurts fluency scoring
- What is a filler phrase, such as 'you know' or 'like', and how should it be used in a timed response?
- A phrase used to fill a pause in natural speech; light use is normal, but overuse can reduce clarity and fluency
- Why is it helpful to briefly organize your main point mentally before starting to speak?
- A quick plan helps you speak more fluently and avoid rambling or losing track of your point
- Sample prompt: 'Describe what is happening in a photo of people at a market.' What should be avoided in this type of response?
- Vague statements like 'there are some people' without specific, observable details
- Why does speaking at a natural pace matter, rather than speaking too quickly or too slowly?
- A natural pace supports clear pronunciation and fluency, while extremes in either direction can hurt comprehensibility
- What is intonation, and why does it matter in a spoken response?
- The rise and fall of pitch while speaking; natural intonation makes speech sound fluent and helps convey meaning
- Sample prompt: 'Do you prefer reading books or watching movies? Why?' What structure fits this comparative prompt?
- State your preference clearly, then give specific reasons that support that choice over the alternative
- Why is it useful to give specific examples rather than only general statements in a spoken response?
- Specific examples make a response more developed, concrete, and convincing to a listener
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