Is it better to live near your family or far away?

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 live close to your family or far away from them? Explain your opinion with reasons and examples.

Write my answer and get scored

Score 160 model answer

I think it is better to live close, though I only reached that view after living far away. For three years I was in another country, and the distance was genuinely useful. Nobody at home knew what I did on a Saturday, and I made decisions without a committee. What I underestimated is how much of family life happens in ordinary moments rather than in visits. My grandmother's health changed slowly, and I only ever saw the version of her that was well enough for a video call. Now I live about twenty minutes away, which I have come to think is the right distance: close enough to arrive the same afternoon, far enough that nobody arrives at my door without warning.

Why this answer earns score 160

Gives a position and the history behind it, which is more convincing than asserting a preference.
The grandmother detail supplies the reason without stating it flatly.
The final sentence defines what close means in practice, turning an opinion into something specific.

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 122 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.