Summarize the Conversation - Guide to Duolingo English Test Question (2025)

The Summarize the Conversation on the DET seems difficult. However, if you learn a simple template, it is actually easy to do well on!

Table of Contents

• What is the Summarize the Conversation question type?
• Simple template for the Summarize the Conversation question type
• Example high-scoring Summarize the Conversation responses
• How to practice Summarize the Conversation questions

What is the Summarize the Conversation question type?

The Summarize the Conversation question comes at the end of an Interactive Listening set of questions. Interactive Listening simulate a conversation with another person in an academic setting. In the Summarize the Conversation question, you have 75 seconds to write a summary of that conversation.

There are 2 sets of Interactive Listening questions on the test, so you will have to answer 2 Summarize the Conversation questions.

Simple template for the Summarize the Conversation question type

We also have a video lesson that teaches this template!

Here is how to do well on this question type.

The first thing you need to do is re-listen to the scenario and review the conversation. You should save at least 30 seconds to do this at the end of the first part of Interactive Listening. (While you are answering the Interactive Listening questions, you can scroll up and re-read any part of the conversation at any time, which makes it easier to remember key details.)

While you are reviewing the scenario and the conversation, you should aim to answer these questions in your head:

1. Who was in the conversation?
2. Why did we talk?
3. What did we talk about?
4. What are 2 new pieces of information revealed during the conversation?

Once you have that key info fresh in your mind, you can then use this template to craft your response:

• Sentence #1: In this conversation, I talked with _____ about ____.
• Sentence #2: Describe something that was revealed during the conversation
• Sentence #3: Describe a second thing that was revealed during the conversation

💡 Tips

• Save at least 30 seconds to review the scenario and the conversation. This is essential. While reviewing, mentally answer the questions listed above 👆
• Use the past tense. The conversation is over, so you need to use the past tense when talking about it.
• Save approximately 20 seconds to proofread your response. Look for obvious errors like typos and misspellings that are easy to fix but will lose you points.

Useful Vocabulary for Summarize the Conversation

You should use precise, advanced vocabulary in your summary. Below is a list of vocab that you can memorize. We also created a PDF with this vocab so that you can download it and more easily use it in your preparation for the DET! Feel free to share the PDF with friends 😁

1. Talked with…about (I talked with my professor about how to prepare for job interviews.)
2. Asked (I asked my classmate for advice on how to study.)
3. Recommended (My professor recommended that I study my lecture notes.)
4. Advise (My professor advised me to look into the strengths and weaknesses of different graduate programs.)
5. Shared (My professor shared some ideas with me.)
6. Made a plan (My labmate and I made a plan to meet up later in the week to create our report.)
7. Debated (My partner and I debated how we should divide up the work.)
8. Decided (I decided to apply for both graduate school and jobs.)
9. Considered (My classmate and I considered creating a slideshow but instead we decided to create a podcast.)
10. Explained (My professor explained that I should wear business casual attire to the interviews.)
11. For example (My professor recommended several things, for example, going to a review session.)
12. Because (I went to my professor because I wanted advice on how to prepare for the exam.)
13. So that (My labmate and I decided to meet later in the week so that we could have time to do research.)
14. Advice (My professor shared several helpful pieces of advice.)

Example high-scoring Summarize the Conversation responses

Let's look at a few examples of high-scoring responses so that you can see how to use the template.

Example 1

In this conversation, I talked with my professor about whether I should attend graduate school or start working after graduating. He asked whether I knew what I wanted to focus on in graduate school. Because I didn't have a specific focus in mind, he advised me to apply to both graduate school and jobs.

Example 2

In this conversation, I talked with a classmate about our upcoming group project. We discussed how to divide up the work and what each person should focus on. We agreed to meet up later in the week to keep planning.

Example 3

In this conversation, I talked with a classmate about which classes we are planning to take next semester. We debated whether to take biology or economics. We made a plan to talk to our other classmates to get their recommendations.

How to practice Summarize the Conversation questions

In Arno, you get unlimited practice questions for every question type, for free! If you purchase credits, then you can get personalized feedback on your grammar and vocabulary.

As soon as you answer a practice question, you will get an instant estimated score and you can see how much advanced vocabulary you are using.

Then, you can get grammar and vocabulary feedback. Arno will even rewrite your response to make it sound like a native speaker wrote it!

You can also view other people's answers.

To create your free account, just click below!