Duolingo English Test Question Type Intro 14："Speak About the Photo"

In the 2024 Duolingo English Test, the "Speak About the Photo" task requires candidates to describe a given photo orally within 90 seconds. This blog post offers a comprehensive overview of the types of questions associated with "Speak About the Photo," as well as effective answering strategies and helpful practice resources.

Understanding the "Speak About the Photo" Question Type

The "Speak About the Photo" section is a question type in the Duolingo English Test (DET) designed to evaluate examinees' ability to describe and discuss images. In this section, examinees are shown a photograph and must talk about it within a 90-second timeframe. This question type appears only once per test session, lasting approximately 2 minutes in total. It assesses not only the examinee's vocabulary and grammar but also their ability for spontaneous thinking and self-expression.

Strategies for Answering

Start Strong with Effective Introductory Sentences

The beginning of your response is crucial. To avoid hesitation, prepare a set of introductory phrases that can be applied to any image. For example, you might say, "This picture captures..." or "In this scene, one can observe...". Starting with these phrases helps you set the tone and smoothly transition into your detailed description.

Example: "This image captures a serene park where people are enjoying a sunny afternoon."

Enhance Your Descriptions with Adjectives and Adverbs

To make your descriptions stand out, enrich them with adjectives and adverbs. Instead of saying "This is a building," say "This is an impressive, tall building with intricate architectural details." Adjectives add color to your description, while adverbs can provide additional context to actions.

Example: "This is a picturesque coastal town with brightly colored houses lining the shore."

Provide Detailed Descriptions, Not Just Labels

Simply listing objects in the image will not earn you a high score. Instead, provide a detailed description that conveys the essence of the scene. For instance, rather than saying "There are cars on the street," you could say, "A line of sleek cars is parked along a bustling city street, with pedestrians hurrying by."

Example: "A group of children is playing soccer on a grassy field, with trees swaying gently in the background."

Accurately Describe Object Locations Within the Scene

Describing where things are located in the image adds clarity and depth to your answer. Use specific prepositions and phrases like "in the background," "to the left," or "near the center" to give a clear sense of placement. This technique helps to create a well-rounded, structured response.

Example: "In the foreground, a cyclist is riding down a cobblestone path, while in the background, a historic church stands tall under a clear blue sky."

Focus on Actions and Movements to Bring the Image to Life

When describing an image, emphasizing the actions taking place helps to create a dynamic and engaging narrative. Use the present continuous tense to describe ongoing activities, such as "The man is reading a book under a tree," or if no action is visible, use the present simple tense with descriptive language, like "The mountain towers majestically over the valley."

Example: "A woman is carefully arranging flowers in a vase on the table, while her friend watches with a smile."

How to Practice "Speak About the Photo"

In fact, the "Speak About the Photo" section encompasses more than a dozen different topics. Regardless of the topic you encounter, you can apply the strategies mentioned earlier. The key is to practice diligently by utilizing regular training and mock exams to enhance your understanding of this question type. You can choose official practice materials from the Duolingo English Test or engage in practice and mock exams on the DET Practice website. Additionally, if you want to explore strategies for Duolingo's questions in more depth, consider visiting specialized learning websites for further insights.