(Tips) Duolingo English Test Summarize The Conversation
Most people lose focus after just 8 seconds!
That’s why the Summarize the Conversation task in the Duolingo English test is such a challenge.
But LUME got your back!
Follow our 3 simple steps so you can better concentrate, remember the main points, and write a clear summary under the time limit.
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The ‘Summarize the Conversation’ task shows up at the end of each Interactive Listening section.
You’ll hear a short conversation, and after listening, you need to write a clear, accurate summary of what was discussed.
You have 75 seconds to do this.
As there are two Interactive Listening sets in the test, you will be asked to summarize two conversations in total.
This task is all about showing that you understood the main points and can express them well in writing.
When starting your summary, just think about how you’d quickly explain the conversation to a friend.
You can begin by saying who was talking and what it was about.
You don’t need to be fancy, but just clear and to the point.
For example, you could say:
These simple openings help the reader understand the context right away.
It’s best to keep it natural and stick to the main topic of the conversation.
When you’ve done the opening, the next step is to add the important details from the conversation.
This is where you explain what the discussion was really about.
You should ask yourself:
You should try to include around 2 to 3 key ideas that give a full picture of the conversation.
It’s also essential to pay attention to dates, events, advice, or any decisions made during the chat.
You can use phrases like:
Finally, end with a quick sentence that wraps it all up.
It could be what you plan to do next, how the conversation helped you, or what you understood from it.
You can refer to samples like:
Before you hit ‘Next,’ take around 15 to 20 seconds to go over what you’ve written.
You should look out for missing articles, subject-verb agreement, or words that don’t look right.
It might feel like you’re out of time, but even a quick scan can help you catch small grammar or spelling mistakes that could lower your points.
Sample 1
I had a talk with my classmate about the biology class I missed last week.
During our talk, she mentioned that the teacher went over the digestive system and gave out a worksheet to complete.
She also reminded me that there will be a quiz next Friday covering the topic.
That helped me know what to study so I could catch up.
Sample 2
The conversation is between me and my professor discussing my final essay.
She explained that my topic was strong but needed more supporting evidence.
One important thing she told me was to use at least three academic sources and follow the correct citation style.
Thanks to her advice, now I know how to improve my work before the deadline.
Sample 3
In this conversation, I asked my friend for help with the group project in our history class.
He explained what the group had decided so far and said I’d be in charge of the introduction.
We also talked about when we would meet to rehearse the presentation.
Now, I’m clear on my task and ready to contribute.
Listening really matters in the Duolingo English test, especially when you need to summarize a conversation.
Even small details can make a big difference, so try to stay fully focused from the beginning to the end.
You should picture the situation in your mind, like who’s talking, what they’re saying, and why it matters.
A good way to get better is by listening to short conversations or videos and then putting what you heard into your own words.
You can start with subtitles if you need to, and then try without them.
As you don’t have much time, it’s best to go straight to the point.
You can begin your summary by saying who was involved in the conversation and what they were talking about.
Then, add any decisions or important points they discussed.
Keeping it simple and clear helps you stay on track and gives readers a quick understanding of what the conversation was all about.
Practicing writing for the Duolingo English test takes more than just learning grammar.
It’s about getting used to the test format and knowing what a good response looks like.
One of the best ways to improve is by writing regularly and reviewing your answer critically.
You should focus on writing clear, organized responses.
Also, time yourself as you practice so you can get used to thinking and writing quickly.
A great tool to help you with this is LUME.
We support your preparation with a question bank and mock tests that simulate the real exam.
Besides, LUME offers AI scoring for immediate results and feedback on your writing so you can see what needs to improve.
It doesn’t matter if you make a mistake or two while practicing.
It’s all part of the process!
The main goal here is to focus on summarizing the conversation.
You don’t need to capture every detail perfectly, but pay attention to the main idea and express it clearly.
Make sure you use the entire 75 seconds to write a thorough summary of the conversation.
If you find yourself with a few seconds left, take a moment to quickly review your writing.
It’s always necessary to check for spelling or grammar mistakes and ensure everything makes sense.
In short, doing well on the Summarize the Conversation in Duolingo English test comes down to careful listening, clear thinking, and confident writing.
As long as you stay focused during the conversation and organize your thoughts clearly, you’ll be able to write a strong summary.
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