Onterra TutorIs it better to have a few close friends or many acquaintances?
Duolingo English Test writing question in the official format, with a full model answer and 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.
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 scores
- 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.
📚 All Duolingo English Test questions with model answers →
📖 About the Duolingo English Test →
Onterra Tutor is an independent practice tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Duolingo, which owns the Duolingo English Test trademark.