Duolingo English Test Listening Section: Complete Guide

The Duolingo English Test comprises four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Today, we will discuss the Listening section of the Duolingo English Test, a crucial component that evaluates your ability to understand spoken English as we use it in real-world and academic contexts. This section assesses how well you can interact with Spoken language, respond accurately, and identify the key points within a limited time period.

This section includes two main tasks that require different listening skills and address essentials for University, work, visa, and immigration purposes.

Types of Questions in the Listening Section

In the Listening section of the Duolingo English Test, there are two question types: Listen & Type and Interactive Listening, which is a new format. 

Type 1: Listen & Type

In this task, you will hear an English sentence and type it exactly as spoken in audio, including proper capitalization and punctuation. For each question, you have 60 seconds to type the sentence. This task appears 6-9 times, and the key feature is the audio control: you can replay the audio twice, giving you a total of 3 listens to catch every word.

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We have a three-step strategy to master the Listen & Type questions.

1. First Listen: Understand the complete sentence first; don’t type anything.
2. Second Listen: Start typing and pay attention to all small connecting words.
3. Third Listen: Check your typed answer while listening, with focus on spelling errors, missing words, punctuation, and capitalization.​

Golden Tips for mastering the Listen & Type task

1. Type exactly what you listen to, no additions or deletions.
2. Pauses between sentences are mandatory.
3. Use correct punctuation ( capital letters, periods )
4. Better to attempt all words. (Submitting a partial, incorrect answer is better than leaving a blank.)

Type 2: Interactive Listening

The Interactive Listening section evaluates your ability to participate in academic conversations. You will interact with two different types of speakers (generally a professor or a classmate) as per the Latest Test Format. In part one, you will have two question types - Listen & Complete and Listen & Respond. In part two, there is only one question type - Summarize the Conversation.

PART 1: Listen & Complete

In this new Interactive Listening Section format, you will participate in a real conversation. You have 6 to 7 minutes to complete the first part of this task. The audio plays only once, and no option for replay, which tests your ability to think quickly and your real-time comprehension.  You will encounter two specific task formats in the first part.  The first is Listen & Complete, where you listen to the short dialogue and type the missing word or phrase into the blank correctly after the audio finishes.

PART 1: Listen & Respond

Where you select the logical, correct response from four to five on-screen options to continue the conversation naturally after hearing a speaker. Here you will listen to two different types of speakers - generally a professor or a classmate.

PART 2: Summarize the Conversation (75 seconds)

After the first part is completed, you must immediately summarize the conversation you had in the first part. You have 75 seconds to write the summary. This task requires discussing the main points, key details, or the outcome of the conversation in a written paragraph.

We have Task Success Tips to master the Interactive Listening Task.

Tip 1: Understand the Scenario first: Before any audio begins, understand the context and identify who you’re speaking with.

Tip 2: Focus on the Core Meaning: Capture only the essential information and understand the main point, rather than memorizing exact words.          

Tip 3: Process of Elimination:  Remove the options with incorrect subjects first, select your answer from the remaining logical choices only.

Tip 4: Tone Adaptation:  Use a formal and respectful tone for professors and casual language for classmates. Adjust your tone accordingly to the speaker's relationship with you.

Tip 5: For Summary Preparation: During the conversation, remember the main topic, key decisions, and important details. Save at least 25-30 seconds to review your conversation and summary.

Tip 6: Error Recovery: Review the correct answer when shown and apply it immediately learning to the next task.

Samples Questions of DET Listening Section

1. Listen & Type

Audio plays: “Despite the heavy rain, they decided to continue their journey.”

Correct typing: “Despite the heavy rain, they decided to continue their journey.”    

2. Listen & Complete

Audio: (you will hear this audio once): “Hi! I heard you were sick last week and missed Professor Marco's Biology lecture. I have detailed notes from that class. The lecture covered photosynthesis. We also discussed the upcoming quiz on Wednesday. You’re welcome to look at my notes whenever you need them.”

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Q1. What department are you studying in?

• I am in the  ________  department.

Answer - Biology

Q2. What lecture did you miss?

• I missed Professor Marco’s  ______.

Answer - Biology lecture.

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Q3. When is the upcoming quiz?

• The quiz is on  ________.

Answer - Wednesday.

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3. Listen & Respond

Audio1 (John): “Hi, I heard you were sick last week. Are you feeling better? Do you need to catch up on anything?”

Options

1. Yes, I’m better now. Could I borrow your Biology notes from last week’s lecture?
2. I was absent from the Chemistry lab.
3. No, I don’t need any help.
4. The quiz is next month.

Answer: Option A (directly answer the health question)

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Audio2 (John): “Of course! I have them right here. The lecture was about the topic of photosynthesis. Do you want to take pictures or should I email them to you?”

Options

1. I don’t need notes for Biology.
2. I already know everything about the topic.
3. I’ll take pictures now if that’s okay. I need to start studying today.
4. Can you take the quiz for me instead?

Answer: Option C (Address both options given by Alex and make the choice clear).

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Audio3 (John): “Sure! Professor Marco said photosynthesis will be heavily tested on Wednesday’s quiz. Did you know about the quiz?”

Options

1. Yes, I know about it. I’ll surely focus on the topic of photosynthesis. Thank you for letting me know!
2. I don’t care about the quiz.
3. There’s no quiz this week.
4. Can we study History instead?

Answer: Option A (Acknowledge the quiz information, show understanding of what’s important to study, and express gratitude as well).

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Audio4 (John): “No problem! If you want, we could meet tomorrow to review together before the quiz. Would that help?”

Options

1. Let’s meet next month.
2. That would be really helpful! What time works for you?
3. I don’t want to study with anyone
4. I’m not taking the quiz.

Answer: Option B (ask for relevant follow-up and planning conversation moving forward).

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Audio5 (John): “How about 2 PM at the library? We can go through the difficult parts together.”

Options

1. Perfect! I’ll see you tomorrow at 2 PM in the library. Thank you so much!
2. The library is too far away.
3. 2 PM doesn’t work for me.
4. I don’t think your notes will be helpful for me.

Answer: Option A (mentioned all meeting details, including time, place, and date).

Pro Tip: The new Listening section has been completely updated, and all these tasks will check your ability to understand the audio and how well you respond. You now have a complete strategy for both listening tasks. For Listen & Type, always use three-step strategies: first, understand the meaning; second, type; and third, edit. Focus on capturing all the words, including small connecting words. For Interactive Listening, focus on choosing the accurate and suitable options that match the subject, frame, and appropriate tone. Use a casual tone with classmates and a formal tone with professors. With regular practice, you’ll develop your listening confidence. 
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