Is it better to have a few close friends or many acquaintances?

A score 160 model answer to a real Duolingo English Test writing question in the official format, with notes on why it scores. Write your own version below it and get an instant rater-style score.

The question

Is it better to have a few close friends or a large circle of acquaintances? Explain your opinion with reasons and examples.

Write my answer and get scored

Score 160 model answer

I would choose a few close friends, though I have learned not to treat the two as opposites. Three people know the version of me that exists at two in the morning after bad news, and that kind of knowing takes years rather than introductions. A wide circle cannot do that job, because you cannot tell forty people the same difficult thing forty times. What acquaintances give you is different and still valuable, which is range: my last job came from a person I had met exactly twice. So my answer is a small centre and a wide edge. I spend my time on the few, stay open to the many, and never confuse the number of names in my phone with the number of people I could call.

Why this answer earns score 160

Takes a side in the first sentence, then refuses the false choice, which shows maturity of thought.
The two in the morning detail makes an abstract point concrete instantly.
The closing line reframes the question memorably, which is what lifts a competent answer to a strong one.

Do not memorise model answers; raters recognise recycled essays instantly. Study the moves, then make them with your own ideas, and check where you stand with a scored practice.

Questions about this answer

What score is this model answer?

It is written to score 160, and the notes under it quote the answer's own words to show why.

How long should my answer be?

This model answer is 129 words, and the task asks for at least 50.

What is the most common mistake with a model answer?

Memorising it. Raters recognise recycled answers instantly, so study the moves, then make them with your own ideas.