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DET High-Difficulty Question Answers: 'Listen and Type' (2024.10.19)

This blog post provides high-scoring tips and sample answers for the DET "Listen and Type" section. Learn effective strategies to improve your listening comprehension, enhance your accuracy in transcribing, and boost your performance on the Duolingo English Test.

The "Listen and Type" question type requires candidates to listen to an audio clip and accurately type what they hear. You will have 6-9 questions in this section, and each question must be completed within one minute. Candidates can listen to the audio three times: once initially, and two additional times using the replay option.

A screenshot of the "Listen and Type" question type from the official Duolingo test.

DET High-Scoring Tips for 'Listen and Type'

Make the Most of All Three Plays:

Listen to the audio clip once to grasp the general sentence structure and overall meaning. During your second and third listens, concentrate on identifying specific words or phrases that you may have overlooked the first time. Don’t waste these replay opportunities; use them strategically to refine your understanding and confirm your answers.

Recognize Familiar Structures:

The audio clips often include frequently used English phrases and common sentence structures. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the rhythm and flow of natural English speech. This understanding will enhance your ability to anticipate upcoming words.

Be Mindful of Spelling and Punctuation:

Pay close attention to spelling and punctuation, as accuracy is crucial. Homophones, such as “their” versus “there,” can easily lead to mistakes, so be vigilant about the context in which they are used. Double-check your work to ensure that everything is correct before submission.

Manage Your Time Wisely:

You have only one minute to answer each question, so it's important to work efficiently without rushing. Use the full minute to ensure that you've typed your response completely and accurately. Take a moment to review your answer before submitting, ensuring that it meets all the requirements.

Vocabulary and Listening Preparation

The "Listen and Type" section heavily tests your ability to comprehend spoken English, so regular listening practice is crucial. Engage in active listening exercises, such as watching English-language videos or podcasts, and practice transcribing spoken content. Familiarity with natural speech, idiomatic expressions, and different accents will greatly improve your performance.

Candidates can explore resources on the DetPractice website to simulate real test conditions with mock questions and listening exercises.

High-Scoring Sample Answer on Duolingo English Test

"Listen and Type" is an objective question type, unlike subjective ones such as the "Writing Sample." To enhance your listening skills, we've compiled it into a video. You can watch the video to get practice.