Do you prefer planned trips or travelling without a fixed plan?

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

Some people prefer to plan every detail of a trip in advance, while others prefer to travel without a fixed plan. Which do you prefer, and why? Explain your reasons with examples.

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Score 160 model answer

I prefer travelling without a fixed plan, and one afternoon in Ghana convinced me permanently. I had booked only my first night in Accra, and a taxi driver mentioned a fishing village that appeared in no guidebook. I spent the whole day there watching boats being painted and eating fish whose name I never learned. A planned trip protects you from problems, but it also protects you from surprises, and surprises are the reason I travel at all. That said, I am not reckless: I always plan my budget and my journey home, because freedom works best inside a small frame of safety. Everything between those two fixed points, I leave open on purpose.

Why this answer earns score 160

Answers the question in the first sentence, which matters on a timed test.
One specific story does the work of ten general claims.
The closing contrast (freedom inside a frame) adds a thoughtful nuance in few words.

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 114 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.