DET Writing Sample: How to Answer + 5 Practice Prompts with Model Answers
Learn how the DET Writing Sample works, how it is scored, how to plan in 30 seconds, and 5 practice prompts with model answers for a stronger response.
Why the Writing Sample Deserves Extra Attention
Many Duolingo English Test (DET) questions are short: 5 seconds to pick real words in Read and Select, 1 minute to write about a photo. The Writing Sample is different. It is a single open question with up to 5 minutes of writing, and it is the written answer that admissions officers can actually read.
According to the official DET Question Guide (2026), your Writing Sample is sent to every school you share your results with. So it counts twice: once in your Writing subscore, and once as a real writing example in your application file.
Writing Sample at a Glance
| Detail | What the official guides say |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 1 per test |
| Preparation time | Up to 30 seconds to read and plan |
| Writing time | Up to 5 minutes |
| Prompt type | Describe something, write about a personal experience, or give your opinion |
| Adaptive? | No |
| Subscore | Writing |
| Scoring criteria | Content, discourse coherence, grammar, lexis |
| Shared with schools? | Yes; schools only see the Writing Sample from the test you send them |
Sources: DET Question Guide (2026) and DET Scoring Guide for Teachers (2026).
Because the task is not adaptive, the difficulty does not change based on your earlier answers. There is also no official word count: the guides only describe the time limits.
How the Writing Sample Is Scored
The DET uses AI to grade writing tasks on four criteria. Here is what each one means, based on the official Scoring Guide, and what it means for your answer.
| Criterion | What the scorer looks at | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Content | Do you answer every part of the question, stay on topic, use the right level of formality, and support ideas with details and examples? | Answer the exact question asked, including every part, and give at least one concrete example |
| Discourse coherence | Is the answer clear, connected with linking words, logically ordered, and organized as a whole (introduction, examples, conclusion, written as paragraphs rather than bullet points)? | Use a clear opening, 2 body ideas, and a short conclusion |
| Grammar | Range and accuracy of structures, flexibility, and correct punctuation | Mix simple and complex sentences, keep tenses consistent |
| Lexis | The words and phrases you choose and how well you use them | Use topic-specific words instead of repeating good, bad, thing |
The Scoring Guide also shows real responses at different levels. Three things stand out from those examples:
- A response that scored 150 for Writing moved from general facts to specific consequences, used linking expressions well, and included topic words such as riverine, coastline, and humid. It still had small errors and an unfinished last sentence.
- A response that scored 115 answered the question with a personal example, but it was short, a little repetitive, and had grammar errors such as my father shown me.
- A response that scored 85 responded to the prompt but was only partly developed, with frequent grammar errors and misspellings that made it hard to follow.
The lesson: you do not need a perfect essay. A high score comes from a fully developed, well-organized answer with varied grammar and precise vocabulary. Small slips are not fatal. A short, underdeveloped answer with frequent errors is what holds a score back.
The 30-Second Plan
You have up to 30 seconds before the writing timer starts. Do not waste it rereading the prompt. Use it to decide three things:
- Your answer in one sentence. For opinion questions, pick one side. For experience questions, pick one specific event.
- Two supporting points. Two reasons, two examples, or two stages of your story.
- One concrete detail for each point. A place, a time, a number from your own life, or a short scene.
That is enough to start typing with a clear direction.
A Simple 4-Part Structure for 5 Minutes
| Part | Purpose | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Opening | Restate the question and give your answer clearly | 30-40 seconds |
| 2. Point 1 + example | First reason or event, with a specific detail | 1.5 minutes |
| 3. Point 2 + example | Second reason or a contrast, with a detail | 1.5 minutes |
| 4. Conclusion + check | One or two closing sentences, then fix spelling and punctuation | Remaining time |
The official guide recommends leaving a little time at the end to check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. In practice, 30 seconds of checking is enough to fix the most visible errors, such as a missing capital I or a wrong verb form.
Since there is no official word count, aim for enough text to develop two points properly. For many learners that is roughly 120 to 200 words in 5 minutes (our suggestion, not an official rule).
5 Practice Prompts with Model Answers
The prompts below are written in the style of the DET (description, personal experience, opinion). They are practice prompts, not official test questions. Set a 5-minute timer, write your own answer first, then compare.
Prompt 1: Opinion
Some people think students should choose a university close to home. Others think studying far away is better. Which do you prefer and why?
I believe studying far from home, even in another country, is the better choice for most students, as long as they are ready to be independent.
The first reason is personal growth. When students live away from their families, they have to manage money, cook, and solve problems on their own. My cousin moved from Surabaya to Melbourne for her bachelor's degree, and within one year she had learned to plan a monthly budget and handle her own visa documents. These skills are difficult to learn when parents are always nearby.
The second reason is exposure to different ideas. Studying in a new city means meeting classmates from other backgrounds, which forces you to explain your opinions clearly and listen to people who disagree.
However, distance is not right for everyone. Students who have family responsibilities or limited funding may benefit more from a strong local university. Overall, if the opportunity is available, studying far away offers lessons that go beyond the classroom.
Why it works: clear position in the first sentence, two developed reasons, a specific example, and a balanced conclusion that recognizes the other side.
Prompt 2: Personal experience
Describe a time when you had to learn something difficult. How did you manage it?
Last year I had to learn basic statistics for a research project, even though mathematics had always been my weakest subject.
At first, I tried to read the textbook from the beginning, but I quickly felt lost because the explanations assumed I already knew the basics. After two frustrating weeks, I changed my approach. I found free online lectures, watched one short video each evening, and then solved five practice problems immediately afterward.
The biggest change came when I joined a small study group with three classmates. Explaining a concept out loud showed me which parts I truly understood and which parts I had only memorized.
By the end of the semester, I was able to analyze my own survey data and present the results to my supervisor. This experience taught me that difficult subjects become manageable when you break them into small daily steps.
Why it works: a specific event, a clear sequence (problem, failed approach, new approach, result), and past tenses used consistently.
Prompt 3: Description
Describe a place in your city that visitors should see. Why is it special?
If visitors come to my city, I always recommend the old harbor area early in the morning.
At sunrise, traditional wooden boats arrive with fresh fish, and the market along the waterfront becomes crowded with sellers and buyers bargaining loudly. The colorful boats, the smell of the sea, and the sound of different local languages create an atmosphere that you cannot find in a shopping mall.
What makes this place special is that it shows how the city actually lives. Many families have worked at the harbor for generations, and some of the buildings nearby are more than a hundred years old. Visitors can try grilled fish from a small stall and talk with people who know the history of the area.
For me, the harbor represents the real character of my city: busy, friendly, and connected to the sea.
Why it works: sensory details (sights, smells, sounds), a clear reason why the place is special, and a conclusion that sums up the idea in one sentence.
Prompt 4: Opinion with two sides
Is it better to study alone or in a group? Use examples from your experience.
In my experience, the best choice depends on the stage of learning, but I find that a combination works better than either method alone.
Studying alone is essential when I need to understand new material for the first time. For example, before my English exam, I spent quiet evenings reviewing vocabulary and grammar rules without distractions. Working at my own pace allowed me to stop, take notes, and repeat difficult sections as many times as I needed.
On the other hand, group study is more useful for practice and review. When I prepared for a scholarship interview, practicing questions with two friends helped me notice weak answers that I could not see by myself. They also asked follow-up questions I had not expected, which made me prepare more carefully.
Therefore, I would recommend studying alone to learn and studying in a group to test what you have learned.
Why it works: acknowledges both sides, uses contrast linkers (on the other hand, therefore), and gives a clear final recommendation.
Prompt 5: Personal experience and reflection
Write about a goal you achieved. What did you learn from the process?
One goal I achieved was running a ten-kilometer race even though I had never run more than two kilometers before.
I started with a simple plan: three short runs per week, adding a few minutes each week. The first month was harder than I expected, and I almost gave up after a knee injury. Instead of stopping completely, I rested for a week and changed to slower, shorter runs until I recovered.
On race day I finished in just over an hour. The time was not impressive, but crossing the finish line made me realize that consistency matters more than talent.
I now use the same approach for other goals, including preparing for my English test: a realistic plan, small weekly progress, and flexibility when something goes wrong.
Why it works: a measurable goal, an obstacle and how it was solved, and a reflection that answers the second part of the prompt.
Common Mistakes That Lower Your Score
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Answering only half the question | Content looks at whether all parts are answered | Underline (mentally) each question word before writing |
| Writing in bullet points | Structure in writing includes using paragraphs | Write full sentences in 3-4 short paragraphs |
| Using a memorized essay that does not fit | Content looks at relevance and staying on topic | Memorize linking phrases, not whole answers |
| Repeating the same words | Lexis rewards precise, varied word choice | Prepare synonyms for common topics: study, work, technology, environment |
| No examples | Development depends on details and examples | Add one personal example per main point |
| No time to check | Small, visible errors add up | Stop writing new ideas with about 30 seconds left |
How Wono DET Fits In
The Writing Sample is scored on the same writing criteria as Write About the Photo: content, discourse coherence, grammar, and lexis. Short, timed photo answers are a good way to fix grammar patterns and vocabulary gaps quickly, and those fixes carry over to longer writing.
Wono DET is an independent practice tool (not affiliated with Duolingo) for the photo tasks. Each answer gets AI feedback on content, organization, vocabulary, and grammar, with phrase-level corrections and a stronger sample answer. A practical routine: do two or three timed photo answers on Wono DET, note the grammar correction that appears most often, then write one Writing Sample practice answer focusing on that exact point.
Conclusion
The Writing Sample is only one question, but it affects your Writing subscore and is the writing example your future university will read. Plan for 30 seconds, write in clear paragraphs, support every point with an example, and keep the last 30 seconds for checking.
Start today: write one timed answer to Prompt 1 above, then sharpen your grammar and vocabulary with a few timed photo answers on Wono DET.
Sources
- DET Question Guide (2026): Writing Sample timing, preparation time, scoring criteria, sharing with schools, and official tips
- DET Scoring Guide for Teachers (2026): prompt types, grading criteria definitions, and example responses at different score levels
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