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Duolingo Read then Speak Guide 2025

Rina Rathod
Rina Rathod

07 Aug 2024

Hello Dear Students!

The Duolingo English Test includes a variety of question types designed to assess different aspects of your language proficiency. One particularly important question type is the "Read then Speak" task. 

This blog will guide you through the essential details and provide tips to excel in this section of the test.

Understanding the "Read then Speak" Task

Instruction: You will be instructed to "speak about the topic below for 90 seconds."

Frequency: This question type appears once in the exam.

Preparation Time: You have 20 seconds to prepare before you start speaking.

Speaking Time:

  • Minimum: 30 seconds
  • Maximum: 90 seconds

Subscores: This task contributes to the Conversation and Production subscores.

Skill Tested: Speaking

Important Points to Note

In the Examination booklet you will find a written instruction on a specific task. You will be required to orally give a response on the given task that cannot be less than 30 seconds. Understand the question and try to prepare an answer before the test begins.

Preparation Time: This is the 20 seconds of preparation time allotted before the commencement of speaking practice. Here, you can organize your responses, read and analyze the task, and think about the content.

Visual Aid: You will also see the instruction while responding. Intermediate writing may assist you in keeping on track and meeting the requirements of the instruction.

Natural Speaking: Communicate naturally and clearly to speak in front of an audience. Vary the vocabulary and use multifarious sentence structures to produce non-repetitive language performance. Do not speak in a boring, robotic manner.

Complete Response: Make certain that you have addressed every part of the question. The prompt may contain several parts, and attending to the parts can enable you to elaborate the response more adequately.

Sample Practice Question and Answer:

Talk about your favorite restaurant.

  • Where is it?
  • What type of food does it serve?
  • How often do you go there?
  • Why is it your favorite?

“In the town where I reside, one of my all-time best restaurants is this small but nice-edited bistro called ‘The Gourmet Bistro.’ It is conveniently placed in the central business district, a few blocks away from my workplace. The restaurant also provides other forms of food, but particularly Mediterranean cuisine their fame is focused on. There are mouthwatering dishes such as falafel, hummus, lamb kebabs and an array of fresh vegetables. I admire the fact that their ingredients are fresh and the dishes have rich flavors.

Usually, Gourmet Bistro is a restaurant that I like to visit at least once every week, particularly on Fridays whereby I indulge myself with a sumptuous dinner after a stressful week in the office. Simple warm and welcoming atmosphere characterized by dim lights and cozy seats. The staff members are courteous and ready to help which makes the meal much enjoyable.

What makes this restaurant my favorite is not only the food but also the ambiance and the large amounts of service. I feel at ease and at home every time I visit that place. The food is generally good and seasonal features are always something to look forward to. Thus, good food, great service combined with the conducive environment found in The Gourmet Bistro is why the place is my restaurant of choice.”

Describe a memorable trip you have taken.

  • Where did you go?
  • What did you do there?
  • Who did you go with?
  • Why was it memorable?

“Kyoto, Japan has been one of the most unforgettable places I have ever visited. Everything was introduced to me in cherry blossoms and that’s why I went to Kyoto. I do not think there are breathtaking sights anywhere in the world other than in this city during the year when cherries blossom.

During my time there, I visited numerous tourist attractions like Kinkaku-ji – the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari Shrine famous for its thousands of torii gates and many more. I engaged in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies and sampled delicious Kyoto cuisine that was simply superb.

I went accompanied by my best friend who shares my love for culture and history. It made the journey more significant since we had a lot of fun filled memories and experiences during this period.

This trip to Japan was exceptional, as it involved viewing the cherry blossoms in bloom, the deep historical background, as well as how we spent our time. It was an ideal combination of rest, thrill, and culture, hence it was a vacation I will keep with me for the rest of my life.’”

Discuss a skill you would like to learn and why.

  • What is the skill?
  • Why do you want to learn it?
  • How would it benefit you?
  • What steps will you take to learn it?

"Playing the guitar is something that I have always imagined doing one day. Such an instrument is one of the most expressive and diverse forms, and I think it is a great ability to possess. The main reason why I want to learn how to play the guitar is that I have always loved music, and I have wanted to be able to compose and play songs for a long time.

There are several advantages I would gain from learning to play the guitar. For instance, it would serve as a good medium of relieving stress especially after a busy day. Above all, it would offer an avenue of creative expression. It might also give opportunities for interaction with other people, as I would be able to play for my relatives and friends or even club with other musicians.

As a beginner, my first step towards learning the guitar is likely to be attending lessons, such as online classes or even getting a physical tutor. Thereafter, I would make it a point to practice in order to perfect my newly acquired skills. Further, I would make it upon myself to compliment such sessions by learning different songs through the use of available online resources.

Tremendously, the fact that I would love to learn to play the guitar sets me a target that I want to achieve. I believe it would be fulfilling and enjoyable, and I cannot wait for the moment when I can sit down with my guitar, and upon striking it, beautiful sounds will be music from my fingers."

Tips for Success

Preparing for the “Read then Speak” part of the Duolingo English Test involves serious training and effective speaking skills. In this article, we are going to discuss every tip in detail to aid you conquer this task.

Understand the Prompt

Go through the prompt with a lot of concentration and highlight the most important issues that should be responded to. Analyzing the question might require breaking the question down to smaller divisions.

Identify Keywords: The questions are usually asked in a few sentences and therefore these few sentences will contain only main keywords but able to give the entire topic and what is required.

Highlight Key Points: In case the questions have multiple parts, underline or mentally note them to make sure you do not leave out any part.

Rephrase the Prompt in its own words: Attempt to put the question into your own words. This might help since one might guarantee themselves that they have got it and will be able to tackle it.

Plan Your Response

Make sure you take advantage of the preparation time and organize yourself mentally before you even speak. Concerning the arguments you want to make, think about the order in which you wish to put them forward.

Create a Mental Outline –  Construct a rough skeleton of your work comprising the introduction, body, and conclusion of the paper.

Prioritize Information: Choosing which of the points will take precedence and will be stressed.

Logical Flow: When making a presentation, ensure that your points follow each other without abrupt changes. This makes the presentation clearer and more natural.

Stay Focused

While animating, look on the prompt, so that any key issues are not missed throughout the addressing.

Look in the Prompt: Occasionally look through the prompt in order to address every part of the question.

Do not Deviate: Do not get distracted by side issues. Remain focused on the issues that you had in mind.

Watch the Clock: Keep track of the time so that you do not give your answer in a hurry or chance time limit lapsing.

Articulate

Gain good understanding below about clarity in speech. Do not be in a hurry when talking, pronounce the words clearly and do not speak with too low a voice.

Moderate Speech: Do not speak very fast and do not speak very slow. A moderate speech helps one enunciate well and listeners are able to follow the speech.

Pronunciation: Speak the words correctly. If words are mispronounced, understanding of the response will be hampered.

Do not use unnecessary conversations: It is advisable to reduce the use of filler speech such as “um”, “uh,” “you know”. They water down confidence and the message is not clear.

Vocabulary Must be Utilized

Use different words, and phrases, and easily score better in Conversation skills and Production. Simple as it sounds, such is the reality.

Antonyms: Use pairs of words with opposite or related meanings in the same context and show that you have a rich vocabulary.

Descriptors: You can use adjectives. Adverbs besides nouns help in elaborating the answer.

Sentence Variety: Use a combination of simple sentences, compound sentences and even incorporate some complex sentences in order to show ranges of grammar.

Practice 

Know specific topics and most importantly do them at the appropriate time limit speaking. This will help in easing one’s self with the format and one’s fluency. Practice Familiar Topics: Get used to different topics including; travel, schooling, personal stories, technological aspects, and everything newsworthy.

Practicing Speaking Within a Limited Time. Use a clock and try to talk for one minute thirty seconds. This helps in getting used to the size of response and controlling oneself in answering. 

Record Progress: Recording one’s responses is useful in spotting the areas they need to improve with regards to the clarity, fluency, and even the vocabulary. 

Get Help: Speaking to a language swipe (skype etc) partner will help enhance speaking as it provides a task and feedback. 

More Suggestions 

Think of the Topic: Make an attempt to take a mental picture of the prompt or a scenario in which such a picture is likely to fit. Such aids in constructing a more interesting and fleshed out answer. 

Don’t Hold Tension: Inhibitive tendencies may ruin your chances of speaking. In order to protect your ability to speak clearly without any other intrusions or obstructions, take in air and hold it with poise.

Illustrate: Otherwise, give examples where needed to demonstrate your point. This will help in capturing the interest of the audience into your response. 

Correction by the speaker: In case you err in speech, make a self-correction with a seamless transition. This indicates that you are conscious of the flow of your speech and can change it when it is necessary to do so.

Conclusion

The "Read then Speak" activity is a key component of the Duolingo English Test and measures the skills of reading, comprehension, and speech using English. 

This means that with proper preparation, consistent practice, and adherence to the guidance included in this article you can enhance in this component and increase your score. 

Thus, for extensive help concerning the Duolingo Exam, please keep in touch with D Vivid Consultant! 

We wish you all the best in preparing for your Duolingo English test.

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Important Resources

Duolingo Listen and Speak Guide 2025Duolingo Listen and Type Guide 2025Duolingo Read and Select Guide 2025How to get high score in duolingo exam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Duolingo Read then Speak question?

The Duolingo Read then Speak question requires you to read a written prompt and speak about the topic for 90 seconds. This task evaluates your ability to respond to a given topic using clear and coherent speech.

How often does this question appear in the exam?

This question type appears once in the Duolingo English Test.

How much preparation time do I get?

You have 20 seconds to prepare before you start speaking. Use this time to gather your thoughts and plan your response.

What is the minimum and maximum speaking time for this task?

You must speak for a minimum of 30 seconds and a maximum of 90 seconds.

Which subscores does this task contribute to?

This task contributes to the Conversation and Production subscores.

What skill is being tested with this question?

The primary skill tested is speaking.

How should I use the preparation time effectively?

Use the 20 seconds of preparation time to carefully read the prompt, understand its components, and plan the key points you want to cover in your response.

Can I see the question while I'm speaking?

Yes, you will still be able to see the question while you are speaking. This can help you stay on track and ensure you address all parts of the prompt.

How can I ensure my response is clear and natural?

  • Speak naturally and clearly, using varied vocabulary and sentence structures. Avoid sounding monotonous or robotic. Aim for a conversational tone and enunciate your words properly.

What should I focus on to provide a complete response?

Make sure you've addressed all components of the question. The prompt may have multiple parts, and responding to each part can help you provide a comprehensive and well-rounded answer.