Master the Duolingo English Test - +120 Success

Fill in the Blanks on Duolingo English Test (current format after the 2025 update)

You see one short sentence or paragraph with missing letters in some words.
Your job is to complete each word correctly by typing the missing letters.

Example

The sc__ __ __ntist recorded the results carefully.
Answer: scientist

Time

• Usually you get about 20 seconds total for the item

• Some questions have several blanks, so work fast

How to do it

1. Read the whole sentence first to understand meaning

2. Use grammar + context to predict the word

3. Type only the missing letters, not the whole word

4. Check spelling quickly before moving on

Fast strategy

• Look at word shape first

• Use articles / verb tense / plural clues

• If stuck, guess the most common word that fits

Example thinking

She was ex__ __ __sted after the trip.

• adjective after “was”

• likely exhausted

• type: hau

Common trap

Two words may fit spelling pattern, but only one fits grammar:

• They are pla__ing football → playing, not placing

Read and Complete on Duolingo English Test (current format after the 2025 update)

You see a short paragraph with several words missing letter
Your job is to type the missing letters so every word becomes correct English.

Example

Many st__ __ents pre__ __re carefully before important exams.
Answer: students, prepare

⏱ Time

• You usually get 3 minutes for the whole passage

• There are usually multiple blanks in one paragraph

How to do it

1. Read the full paragraph first before filling blanks

2. Use meaning + grammar to predict each word

3. Complete easy words first

4. Return to difficult blanks after context becomes clearer

5. Check spelling quickly at the end

Fast strategy

• Look at prefixes / suffixes (un-, re-, -tion, -ing, -ed)

• Use verb tense clues

• Watch plural endings (s / es)

Example thinking

The re__ __ __rch showed new res__ __ts.

• first word likely research

• second word likely results

Common trap

A word may fit spelling but fail grammar:
She has st__ __ __ __ __ every day
→ study ❌ grammar wrong
→ studied ✅ if past context requires it

Listen and Type on Duolingo English Test (current format after the 2025 update)

You hear one spoken sentence and must type exactly what you hear.

Example

Audio: “The meeting starts at eight tomorrow morning.”
Answer: The meeting starts at eight tomorrow morning.

⏱ Time

• You can usually listen up to 3 times

• You have about 1 minute total to finish the item

How to do it

1. First listen: understand the whole sentence

2. Second listen: catch difficult words

3. Third listen only if needed

4. Type immediately — don’t wait too long

5. Check spelling, plurals, verb endings, punctuation

Fast strategy

• Focus on content words first (nouns, verbs, numbers)

• Then add small grammar words (a, the, is, of)

• Watch endings: -s, -ed, -ing

Example thinking

Audio: “Students often review notes before exams.”
Catch main words first: Students / review / notes / exams
Then complete grammar: often / before

Common trap

People hear:

• their vs there

• to vs too

• an vs and

Important rule

Spelling matters a lot:

• enviroment ❌

• environment ✅

Interactive Reading on Duolingo English Test (current format after the 2025 update)

You read one academic-style passage and complete 5 linked question parts in sequence.
The passage stays connected across all parts, so each answer helps build understanding for the next part.

1️⃣ Complete the Sentences

You see a paragraph with missing words and choose the best word for each blank.

Example

Text:

Climate change has affected agricultural ______ in many regions.

Answer:

production

⏱ Time

• Usually the first task in the reading set

• About 2–3 minutes

• Several blanks appear in one passage

How to do it

• Read the full paragraph before choosing blanks

• Check grammar before meaning

• Use nearby words as clues

• Test each option inside the sentence

• Watch singular/plural agreement

Fast strategy

• Fill easy blanks first

• Leave hard blanks and return

• Use article clues (a / an / the)

• Check verb tense consistency

Example thinking

Blank:

Scientists have ______ several new methods.

Think:

• plural subject = scientists

• present perfect = have + past participle
  Answer:

developed

Common trap

People choose a word that fits meaning but not grammar:

have develop ❌
have developed ✅

Important rule

Every blank must fit:

• grammar

• meaning

• passage logic

2️⃣ Complete the Passage

One sentence is missing; choose which full sentence fits best.

Example

Before gap:

Many cities now invest heavily in public transportation.

After gap:

As a result, traffic congestion has decreased.

Correct inserted sentence:

These investments encourage more people to avoid private cars.

⏱ Time

• Usually 1 minute

• One missing sentence only

How to do it

• Read sentence before and after gap

• Match logical connection

• Check pronouns carefully

• Watch cause/effect links

Fast strategy

Look for connectors:

• however

• therefore

• for example

• in addition

Example thinking

If next sentence begins:

This change has improved...

Then missing sentence must introduce the change.

Common trap

Choosing a sentence that is true but belongs elsewhere.

Important rule

The correct answer must connect both sides of the gap smoothly.

3️⃣ Highlight the Answer

You highlight the exact words in the passage that answer a question.

Example

Question:

Why did researchers repeat the experiment?

Correct highlight:

to confirm the reliability of the results

⏱ Time

• Usually appears twice

• About 30–45 seconds each

How to do it

• Read question first

• Scan passage for exact evidence

• Highlight only necessary words

• Avoid extra words

Fast strategy

Find key nouns from the question and locate them in text.

Example thinking

Question asks:

When did migration begin?

Find date phrase only:

in the early twentieth century

Common trap

Highlighting full sentence when only phrase is needed.

Important rule

Highlight only the shortest exact answer.

4️⃣ Identify the Idea

Choose the main idea of the passage.

Example

Passage about renewable energy development.

Correct answer:

How renewable energy is reshaping national energy systems

⏱ Time

• About 45 seconds to 1 minute

How to do it

• Ignore minor details

• Find repeated theme

• Compare all answer choices globally

Fast strategy

Ask:

What is the whole passage mostly about?

Example thinking

If passage mentions:

• solar power

• wind power

• energy policy

Main idea = broad energy transformation

Common trap

Choosing one supporting detail instead of central idea.

Important rule

Correct answer must cover the full passage, not one paragraph.

5️⃣ Title the Passage

Choose the best title for the entire reading.

Example

Correct title:

Urban Farming in Modern Cities

⏱ Time

• Usually 30 seconds

How to do it

• Think broad but specific

• Match title to full topic

• Eliminate dramatic or narrow titles

Fast strategy

Ask:

If this were an article, what headline fits all paragraphs?

Example thinking

If passage discusses:

• causes

• examples

• effects

Title must include overall subject only.

Common trap

Choosing a title based on one example only.

Important rule

Best title = whole passage summary in one line