Duolingo English Test: Speaking & Writing

The words

Every word in this set, with what it means. Tap a word to hear it.

anecdote

a short story about a real event or person

“She used a brief anecdote to introduce her opinion about travel.”

attitude

the way someone thinks or feels about something

“The writer's attitude toward the proposal is cautiously positive.”

background

the experiences, information, or setting that helps explain a person or situation

“A little background makes the research question easier to understand.”

belief

a feeling of certainty that something is true

“His belief in practical experience shaped his choice of course.”

cause

a person, thing, or event that makes something happen

“The report identifies cost as the main cause of the change.”

circumstance

a fact or condition that affects a situation

“Under these circumstances, a flexible schedule is useful.”

consequence

a result that follows from an action or situation

“One consequence of the decision was a longer commute.”

develop

to grow, change, or create something over time

“Students develop confidence when they receive useful feedback.”

drawback

a disadvantage or problem with something

“The main drawback of the plan is its high initial cost.”

essential

completely necessary or extremely important

“Clear instructions are essential when people work remotely.”

factor

one of the facts or conditions that influence a result

“Distance was an important factor in choosing the campus.”

goal

something that you hope to achieve

“My main goal is to communicate more confidently at work.”

impact

a strong effect on a person, place, or situation

“The new bus route had a positive impact on the neighborhood.”

increasingly

more and more as time passes

“People are increasingly using digital tools to study.”

independent

not controlled by another person or organization; able to act alone

“Independent study requires a realistic plan.”

inspire

to make someone want to do or create something

“The teacher inspired students to explore the topic further.”

likely

having a high chance of happening or being true

“It is likely that the project will need more time.”

majority

more than half of a group or amount

“The majority of participants preferred the second option.”

minority

a smaller part of a group or population

“A minority of respondents reported difficulty using the service.”

participate

to take part in an activity or event

“Students learn more when they participate in discussion.”

priority

something treated as more important than other things

“Safety should be the first priority during the change.”

reflect

to think carefully about something that happened or was learned

“The final paragraph reflects on what the experience taught her.”

relationship

the way in which two or more people or things are connected

“The study explores the relationship between sleep and memory.”

responsibility

a duty to deal with something or take care of someone

“Everyone has a responsibility to protect shared resources.”

specific

clearly identified or exact rather than general

“Give one specific example to support your point.”

tradition

a belief or way of behaving that has existed for a long time

“The festival combines local tradition with modern music.”

trend

a general direction in which something is changing

“The trend toward remote work has changed many routines.”

unique

being the only one of its kind or unlike anything else

“The museum gives the town a unique cultural identity.”

viewpoint

a particular opinion or way of considering a subject

“The discussion included viewpoints from students and teachers.”

voluntary

done by choice rather than because it is required

“The survey was voluntary, so participants could leave at any time.”