Onterra Tutor

Duolingo English Test Read, Then Speak: practice prompt 7

One real-format Read, Then Speak prompt with a model spoken answer and notes on why it scores. You get 20 seconds to prepare, then speak about the prompt for at least 30 seconds and up to 90. Keep going until the time is nearly up.

The prompt

Talk about a piece of advice you were given that you did not follow. Why did you ignore it, and do you still think you were right?

20 seconds to prepare, up to 90 seconds to speak.

Hear a strong answer

One way this question can be answered well, spoken at the pace and length the task expects. Listen for where the pauses fall, then try it again in your own words and with your own examples.

When I finished school, an uncle told me very firmly to study medicine, because in his words nobody ever regrets a profession that people always need. I ignored it and studied engineering. I ignored it because his argument was about security and it contained nothing at all about what I would be doing for forty years, and I could already tell that I liked taking things apart more than I liked hospitals. Do I still think I was right? Yes, though less smugly than I would have at eighteen. He was correct that the security is real, and there have been lean months where I thought about that. But I'd rather be uncertain doing work I find interesting than safe doing work I don't.

Why this earns score 160

  1. Both parts of the prompt are answered, and the second is answered with a genuine concession.
  2. The concession is what turns an opinion into a developed argument.
  3. Reported speech, past tenses and a conditional appear naturally in a short answer.

Questions about this answer

What score is this model answer?

It is written to earn the top of the Duolingo English Test scale, score 160, and the notes under it say why.

How long do I get for this prompt?

20 seconds to prepare and up to 90 seconds to speak.

What should I watch for in my own answer?

Both parts of the prompt are answered, and the second is answered with a genuine concession.

Answer it yourself, then see your score

Record your own answer and get a score with your transcript in about a minute. Your first test is free, no sign-up.

Record my answer

More Duolingo English Test Read, Then Speak prompts

Talk about something you own that would be difficult to replace. Describe it and explain w... Some people say the best way to know a city is to walk it. Do you agree? Describe how you ... Describe a meal that means something to you. Who made it, when do you eat it, and what mak... Talk about a time you helped someone with something you were good at. What did you do, and... Duolingo English Test writing questions with model answers →

Onterra Tutor is an independent practice tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Duolingo, which owns the Duolingo English Test trademark.