Duolingo English Test 2026: All 13 Question Types Explained with Samples

The Duolingo English Test has four sections: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. Unlike other exams, such as IELTS and TOEFL, the Exam Format is divided into Question Types rather than Sections.  As per the latest 2026 format, the DET has 13 Question Types, namely Read and Select, Fill in the Blanks, Read and Complete, Listen and Type, Write About the Photo, Speak About the Photo, Read and Then Speak, Interactive Reading, Interactive Listening, Writing Sample, Speaking Sample, Interactive Writing and Interactive Speaking. Let’s explore each Question Type in detail and view a sample View on the screen you can expect. We divided the Question Types by Section for better visualisation and easier understanding.

Reading Section

In the Reading module of Duolingo English Test, there are four question types.

Read and Select

The test-taker is presented with a series of words, one at a time, to choose the correct spelling for each. Both words will seem similar, but only one of them will be correct. The task will include 15-18 questions, and you will have 5 seconds per question.

Fill in the Blanks

The test-taker is presented with a sentence and a blank in between. The test-taker will have 20 seconds per question to guess the correct word and fill in the blank. In total, there will be 6 to 9 sentences.

Read and Complete

Similar to Fill in the Blanks, this question will have paragraphs instead of a single sentence and multiple blanks per question. You will be presented with 3-6 passages, and will be allocated 3 minutes per passage.

Interactive Reading

In the Interactive Reading, you will get one passage and about 6 tasks related to the same paragraph. Based on the difficulty level, you will be assigned between 7 and 8 minutes for all 6 tasks.

Listening Section

In the Listening module of Duolingo English Test, there are two question types.

Listen and Type

In this task, you simply have to write about what you hear in the recording. You will be presented with 6 to 9 questions in a row, with 1 minute per question. You will also get an option of 2 recording replays for each question.

Interactive Listening

You'll experience two different conversations during the test — one with a classmate (super casual and friendly) and one with a professor (more polite and formal). Each conversation lasts about 6–7 minutes, and you play the role of the student. Starting July 2025, the Interactive Listening will have Listen and Complete, Listen and Respond, and Summarise the Conversation subtypes.

Writing Section

In the Writing module of Duolingo English Test, there are three question types.

Write About the Photo

In the Write about the photo question, you will be given 60 seconds to describe the image. In total, you will be presented with 3 similar questions, and you have to describe the image in each photo.  

Interactive Writing

In the Interactive Writing task, you will be provided with a paragraph to read and write about in 120-130 words. After you submit your first response, you have to write the follow-up answer for the same question. 

Writing Sample

The 5-minute task at the end of the test will be presented to the test-taker. This question is not scored or affects your DET Score; however, this sample will be shared with Universities on request.

Speaking Section

In the Speaking module of Duolingo English Test, there are four question types.

Speak About the Photo

Similar to Write About the Photo, in this task, you have to speak about the photo. You will have 90 seconds to describe the photo and submit your response. Don’t worry, you will have 20 seconds to prepare for the task before the recording starts.

Read, Then Speak

In this task, you will be presented with paragraphs instead of photographs. Similarly, you will be given 20 seconds to prepare, followed by a 90-second recording period.

Speaking Sample

Similar to the Writing Sample, you have to submit your Speaking sample. This section will be unscored and does not affect your DET Result, but the recording may be verified by Universities for admission purposes in some cases.

Interactive Speaking

The section will include a series of 6 to 8 questions, for which you must submit an answer in Spoken format. You will be given 35 seconds for each question.

The above Content is verified by our Duolingo English Test Experts using Trusted Sources, such as the official website of the Duolingo English Test, on 19th January 2026.