Top 15 common writing topics in the DET

English writing skill is never easy to most test-takers. We need day-to-day practice continuously if we want to aim for high scores. In the Duolingo English Test, Writing skill contributes to Literacy and Production sub-scores that students find Production is one of the most challenging sub-scores to improve. 

In the DET, there are several question types contributing to both Literacy and Production, including Write About the Photo, Read then Write, and Writing Sample. 

Read then Write and Write Sample has lots of things in common: a maximum of five minutes for each question, they evaluate the same grading elements, and so on. Besides consistent practicing on a daily basis, to boost students’ scores, it’s better to know some common topics that will likely appear in the Duolingo English Test. Our Academic team and test-takers had taken dozens of tests, and here we share 15 common topics. 

One point to note, we share common topics, one sample question and answer that are useful for test-takers to learn from. 

1. Government

Question: 

The government should lower the budget on the arts in order to allocate more money to education. To what extent do you agree? 

Sample answer:

Arts and education have unique values and benefits to offer to people all over the country. Hence, I utterly suggest the government should invest in both equally.   

On the one hand, Sir Ken Robinson once said: "Creativity is as important now in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status." And it is a fact that art is one of the best subjects to help students enhance their innovation nowadays. Consequently, instead of reducing the budget for the arts, the government should consider increasing it for better development.   

On the other hand, education is a passport to future opportunities. In detail, if a person immerses themselves ineducation and studies a wide range of subjects, they will stand a better chance to compete with others in the years to come. Therefore, the investment in education would be tremendously beneficial for every resident to thrive in their academic career. 

To conclude, I strongly reckon that every single government should allocate more money to both the arts and education for the good of the whole nation generally.

2. Food

Question: 

Many people argue that eating junk food has led to an unhealthy lifestyle. This problem has become more common among young people these days. Do you agree or disagree that junk food is the cause of the issue?

Sample answer: 

A sea of young people is living an unhealthy lifestyle due to a bunch of causes. Junk food is only one of tons of problems that I will be discussing another point in this essay.   

On the one hand, we live in a modern world, which requires a fast and proactive reaction to whatever we are doing presently. Therefore, possessing junk food is one of the best options to help us save time and cope with these current issues. However, junk food is usually packed with harmful ingredients such as fat, sugar, salt that will definitely harm our health in the years to come.   

On the other hand, because of the rapid growth of technology, tons of young people hinge on them heavily; therefore, they rarely go outside to work out or even do not exercise at home. Obviously, the issues of not doing exercise on a daily basis are tremendous to our health, which also leads to an unhealthy lifestyle.   

All in all, I utterly acknowledge an unhealthy lifestyle is down to junk food. Nevertheless, there are still other causes owing to the presented point above.

3. Society

Question: 

Some people think that in order to produce a happy society, it is necessary to ensure that there is only a tiny difference between the earnings of the richest and poorest. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

 Sample answer: 

A happy society is what we want to experience in our lives. However, it is still a long way to achieve it due to several problems. The financial gap between the rich and the poor and other causes are the issues that we need to tackle for good.   

On the one hand, the financial aspect plays an essential role in delivering a fulfilling society, where nobody has to worry about making money for themselves and their loved ones. Nonetheless, a financial foundation only solves the problem of necessities, but not all.   

On the other hand, good mental health is critical to having a happy society. In detail, people will not feel satisfied even with a large amount of money in their accounts if they often have problems at work or with their family. Thus, mental life is genuinely critical to maintaining a cheerful society.   

In conclusion, ensuring a difference between the earnings of the richest and the poorest will not help us achieve our goal effectively. But, we need to have a closer look to figure out all causes and solve them once and for all.

4. School

Question: 

Some people think that it is a waste of time for high school students to study literature, such as novels or poems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample answer: 

In the age of competitive society nowadays, literature such as nowels and poems have their values to offer to high school students. Therefore, I am utterly opposed to the statement that some people think it is a waste of time to study.   

To commence with, a wide range of subjects offers students many opportunities to get the job they want because students stand a better chance to compete with other candidates in this dog-eat-dog world thanks to their variety of knowledge and skills. By studying novels and poems, students gain excellent knowledge to develop comprehensively.   

Furthermore, novels and poems are most known for their benefits for mental health and emotional intelligence, which are incredibly critical at the moment. Across the globe, scientists prove that those with high emotional intelligence levels are better at managing people in their workplace. In other words, they will likely generate more revenue and benefits for their organization.   

To encapsulate, I can't entirely agree with those who reckon there is no point in studying literature because every subject has unique benefits in specific fields.

5. Organisation

Question: 

Large companies should pay higher salaries to CEOs and executives compared to other workers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample answer:

Pay disparity happens in every single organization worldwide because of their organizational structure and hierarchy, which depend on the contribution of each position in the whole company. Therefore, I uphold the notion of paying higher salaries to CEOs and executives.   

The first and foremost reason is that CEOs and executives predominantly work their tails off at school or at their early ages to have the position at the time being. Everything has a price. They have committed and dedicated to their profession for years; hence, a high salary is somehow a great reflection of their contribution to the firm.   

Moreover, based on the experience of CEOs and executives, they more often than not have innovative and creative notions or strategies to boost organizations' revenue significantly because they are acquainted with all the terms and challenges so far in their career path. Thus, we embolden their expertise and skills by paying higher salaries to achieve something more extraordinary.   

To recapitulate, I wholly acknowledge the value and benefits of every type of worker. Nevertheless, I still support that CEOs or executives should earn higher stipends than other workers. 

6. Entertainment

Question:

Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers about important social issues. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statements? 

Sample answer: 

Besides the crucial social issues that entertainment programs should aim to educate people, there are different diverse purposes. Therefore, I am utterly opposed to the statement for a number of vital reasons.   

The first and foremost point is that every program is specifically designed for a group of audiences, and it has a unique purpose. A great example is that some of them only focus on helping people relax and enjoy their lives besides their working hours.   

Additionally, there are a sea of other concerns that inhabitants should pay close attention to, such as politics, economics, education, and so on. Hence, social issues are only parts of the whole that people are responsible for tackling   

All in all, I wholeheartedly reckon that it is definitely not necessary to educate people about social matters on every entertainment program. Instead, we should consider educating others on a wide range of subjects. 

7. Sustainable Development

Question: 

Some people say it is more important to plant trees in the open spaces in towns and cities than to build more housing. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample answer: 

In my humble position, I utterly concur with the notion that we should be planting trees in the available spaces instead of building more buildings for the good of all residents. 

First of all, it is a well-known fact that megacities more often than not lack green trees to produce enough oxygen, which could be enormously detrimental to all residents’ health. In the age of industrialization, more and more manufacturers are being built, while trees are being cut off. Therefore, we more than ever need trees in big cities to keep the air in good condition. 

Moreover, people predominantly do not show affection to their beloved ones because they are frequently hectic with their jobs. Thus, parks full of trees could be an excellent choice for them and their family members. They can pay a visit to enjoy the fresh atmosphere but still show affection to their loved ones. 

To encapsulate, I wholeheartedly recommend planting more trees instead of building up buildings owing to the presented points earlier.

8. Science

Question: 

Some scientists think that computers will soon become more intelligent than humans. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Sample answer:

In the age of modern and technological society, I am utterly opposed to the perspective that one-day computers will become more intelligent than humans for a myriad of critical reasons. 

The first and foremost point is that computers are designed and developed by human beings. I mean that no matter what happens, people still have the capability and strength to tackle any computer-related issues. In other words, if we are able to build them from scratch, we will absolutely re-program them in case of revolution from computers. 

Furthermore, people have been through billions of development and faced tons of severe issues, but we still ended up successful. As a result, even one day, computers exceed the intelligence of human beings, and we will soon enough get rid of them for good. 

All in all, I do not see any sign that computers will become more intelligent than people as I raised my points earlier. 

9. Sports

Question: 

Some people think that dangerous extreme sports such as rock climbing and sky-diving should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

Sample answer: 

Everybody on earth has the right to choose any kinds of sports they want to play. Therefore, I'm utterly hostile towards the statement for several core reasons. 

To commence with, everything here is about human rights; hence, every single soul has all their right to make their decision even though it is so hazardous to them. Nonetheless, as long as it does not harm others, it would be completely okay. The ball is in their court, so we should not be involved in personal stuff. 

Additionally, it is a well-known fact that there is no accounting for taste because we only live once in our lives. Specifically, perhaps to us that these kinds of sports are awful in our eyes, but to them, it is the opposite picture. In other words, people who love dangerous sports take it as something to relax and recharge energy after working their tails off on a daily basis. 

All in all, I am opposed to the statement, so everyone should do whatever they prefer.

10. Climate Change

Question: 

Some people think that instead of preventing climate change, we need to find a way to live with it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample answer: 

Climate change has severely impacted our lives for the last few decades, so I am utterly hostile towards the idea that we should find a way to live with it for several critical reasons. 

First of all, apparently that we all know how hazardous and dreadful climate change is, far less live with it because it is having more dangerous impacts on our lives day in day out. Specifically, climate change seemingly causes air pollution in most megacities, which leads to terminal illnesses in the years to come. 

Additionally, it is a well-known fact that we will not be able to make a living on the planet if climate change continuously keeps getting worse, which is literally proved and analyzed by scientists so far. If worst comes to worst, we need to make our hard decision, that we need to relocate and live on other planets as a last resort. 

In conclusion, I wholly believe that we should create strategies to deal with it beforehand, rather than put up and live with it." 

11. Innovation

Question:

Some people believe that smart phones are destroying social interaction today. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample answer:

Speaking of smartphones, I hold an impartial opinion to the notion that they gradually destroy social interaction nowadays because it depends on particular situations. 

On the one hand, we can conveniently chat with whoever we prefer through social media platforms. It apparently offers us great opportunities to interact with others by using smartphones. A close friend of mine grew up in the same alley when we were a child, and she devotes her precious time to using Facebook and Twitter on a regular basis in order to update news around the globe. Besides, she also fully exploits her phone to make calls and send messages to her family members, who live in another city. 

On the other hand, most people overuse them unnecessarily because they just like using them. Even when they hang out with their friends or colleagues, they still cannot hold themselves back from checking their phones very regularly, and sometimes, it annoys others pretty much. In such a case, smartphones absolutely destroy social interaction. 

In summary, I firmly reckon that smartphones have been helping us out slightly in day-to-day life instead of destroying us. 

12. Technology

Question:

Many people think technological devices such as smart phones, tablets and mobile phones bring more disadvantages than advantages. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample answer:

Speaking of technological devices, we need them more than ever to support our professional careers and make our lives easier. Hence, I am utterly opposed to the statement for a myriad of essential points. 

To initiate with, we are currently living in a modern and technological world, in which every single soul needs smartphones, tablets, or mobile phones to living and working better. In detail. they help us stay in touch with our friends and families on the planet. Besides, they also support us keep abreast of up-to-date news concerning every field or industry. And if someone wants to study online, it will be wholly convenient to use tablets or even smartphones to learn something from scratch. 

Furthermore, the world is constantly changing on a daily basis, and some of us need to work our tails off to pursue our dreams or put food on the table for our families. Consequently, technological devices become irreplaceable stuff to help us relax and recharge energies after a long working day at the office. 

All in all, I wholly believe that advantages outweigh disadvantages in terms of the value of smartphones, tablets, or mobile phones."

13. Family

Question: 

It is better for children if the whole family including aunts, uncles and grandparents are involved in a child’s upbringing, rather than just their parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample answer: 

As far as I can tell, nuclear and extended families have unique values and benefits for a child's upbringing. Thus, I will be discussing both types of families. 

To initiate with, it is a well-known fact that grandparents have more experiences and knowledge compared to parents. Besides, aunts and uncles can also share their skills with children to help them develop fully. As a result, children will have opportunities to learn a lot from their relatives in the extended family. 

On the other hand, if grandparents, aunts, or uncles do not possess appropriate behaviors towards all aspects of life, children may probably be affected negatively. In this case, living only with parents is a much better option for children to grow up stronger and healthier. 

All in all, I utterly reckon that it wholly hinges on the characteristics of a child's relatives to decide whether they should live with their parents only or with more relatives." 

14. Art

Question:

Some think that quality art can be made by anyone, while others believe it requires exceptional talent and ability. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sample answer:

As far as I am concerned, I strongly reckon that there is equal opportunity in this dog-eat-dog world in any industry, and art is no exception. 

To begin with, it is a well-known fact that talent and capability are highly essential nowadays in any field because they ensure our success in developing products or services. Hence, people with high skill and ability in creating art content stand a better chance to give birth to a higher art quality at the time being. 

On the contrary, we also have seen many exceptional cases, born and raised with no relations to art of any kind. However, because of their ambitions and passion for art, they devote their spare time to learning new concepts and gaining experience through practicing. As a result, they have innovated and developed extraordinarily spectacular content all over the world. 

To encapsulate, from all the above points, I wholly acknowledge why two sets of people have entirely different notions concerning making quality art nowadays. 

15. Clothes

Question: 

More and more people are finding it increasingly important to wear fashionable clothes. Is this attitude to wearing clothes a positive development or negative?

Sample answer:

From my point of view, in terms of wearing fashionable clothes, there are both upsides and downsides about it. So I will discuss them in detail in the following paragraphs. 

Regarding the positive sides, fashionable clothes offer a better outlook to those who wear them, especially those who work in the business world go out often and meet their clients. Besides, if you treat yourself to certain deluxe brands, you will definitely lend credibility to your appearance. And I can certainly tell that your work will likely be smoother. 

On the other hand, in order to cover yourself with fashionable clothes on a daily basis, there is no way but to spend an enormous amount of money on that, which could make you end up in a financial crisis in this tough time because of Covid-19. 

To wrap up, I firmly reckon that there are both merits and demerits to wearing fashionable clothes. But the ball is in your court to decide; however, you need to make the call wisely to avoid financial problems.

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Why are most questions “agree or disagree type”? In Read then Write, we have three categories, including Describe, Recount, and Make argument types. And Writing Sample has Describe, Recount, and Share opinion types. Both of them have similar question categories, so we pick lots of Making-Argument-type questions as it’s the most challenging one. 

Test-takers can share their writing questions in our Facebook or Telegram communities, ab=nd our Academic team will be delivering sample answers to support their Duolingo English Test preparation journey. 

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Additionally, if test-takers need detailed feedback for Speaking and Writing questions, the DET Practice Platform will help. We evaluate test-takers answers based on Fluency, Lexical Sophistication, Lexical Diversity, Grammatical Accuracy, and Acoustic Features (Pronunciation). Feel free to check our video sample feedback. 

The DET Practice Platform currently has thousands of similar questions to the real DET questions, so test-takers can practice as much as they want and it will never end as we keep updating new questions on a weekly basis.