Speak About the Photo

According to the official exam guide, the "Speak About the Photo" section is an open-ended question type within the Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following instructions:

1. Instructions: This question type requires candidates to speak for a specified amount of time (usually 30 seconds to 90 seconds) about an image presented on the screen. The candidate must describe the photo and may also be asked to answer related questions or provide their opinion based on the photo.

2. Subscores: The skills assessed in this question type include Conversation and Production, as it involves speaking and the ability to articulate thoughts clearly.

3. Duration: The speaking time varies by the level of the test but is typically either 30 seconds minimum, 1.5 minutes maximum for lower levels, or 1 minute minimum, 3 minutes maximum for higher levels.

4. Interactive Operations:

- Candidates are given a short time (usually 20 seconds) to observe the photo before the recording starts.

- The recording will begin automatically after the observation time, but candidates can also manually start the recording by clicking "NEXT."

5. Answering the Question:

- Candidates should speak clearly and naturally, ensuring their pronunciation is clear and their responses are relevant to the photo.

- It is important to use the full time allowed for the response, as the "NEXT" button will only become available after the minimum speaking time has been met.

6. Suggestions:

- Candidates are advised to think about the photo and organize their thoughts before starting to speak.

- If the candidate is unsure of what to say, they should continue speaking and try to describe the photo in as much detail as possible.

7. Scoring: The response to this question is evaluated based on the clarity, detail, and relevance of the description, as well as the candidate's use of English grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

The "Speak About the Photo" question type is designed to assess a candidate's ability to understand and respond to visual stimuli through spoken expression. It tests the candidate's descriptive speaking skills and their capacity to convey information and ideas in English in a clear and coherent manner.