How to practice: This set collects only the Interactive Speaking question type from the real DET (Duolingo English Test) — DET Speaking questions. No grading, no timer — solve it yourself, then tap each question to reveal the answer or model response.
Jordan — Jordan is curious about your values, work preferences, and views on career success.
Turn 1
“Hello! Let's start with something fundamental. What do you think the purpose of work is beyond just earning money?”
Useful Expressions
For me, · It's also a source of... · And ideally, · When those three things align...
Show Model Response
That's a question I find genuinely interesting. For me, work serves at least three purposes beyond income. It provides structure and routine, which most people need psychologically. It's also a source of identity and social connection — the people you work with and the mission you work toward shape who you become over time. And ideally, it's a channel for contribution: the sense that what you do each day creates something of value for others. When those three things align with adequate compensation, I think that's what most people would call a fulfilling career.
Turn 2
“Interesting. Do you prefer a structured, traditional work environment or something more flexible and entrepreneurial?”
Useful Expressions
Honestly, · Earlier in my career... · Increasingly, I find... · I think the ideal for me...
Show Model Response
Honestly, my preference has shifted over time. Earlier in my career, I valued the structure and mentorship that a more traditional organization provided — having experienced colleagues around me and clear processes to learn from was genuinely valuable. But increasingly, I find that I'm drawn to environments where I have more autonomy over how and when I work, and where the link between my effort and the outcome is more direct and visible. I think the ideal for me is something in between: a structured enough environment to provide accountability, but with enough autonomy to feel ownership over my work.
Turn 3
“How do you define career success? Is it primarily about income, status, or something else?”
Useful Expressions
I think the conventional definitions... · For me, career success is... · Income matters because... · Beyond a threshold...
Show Model Response
I think the conventional definitions of success — income level, job title, the prestige of the organization you work for — are not useless, but they're insufficient. For me, career success is fundamentally about whether the work I'm doing is developing my capabilities, whether it's creating value that I can point to with some pride, and whether it leaves me with enough time and energy to invest in the relationships and interests that give my life meaning outside of work. Income matters because financial security removes a significant source of stress and opens options, but beyond a threshold, more income has diminishing returns on well-being.
Turn 4
“What do you think are the most important qualities for succeeding in business or in your career?”
Useful Expressions
The quality I'd put at the top... · The ability to learn continuously... · Beyond that, I'd highlight... · In the long run...
Show Model Response
The quality I'd put at the top of the list is adaptability. The pace of change in most industries is accelerating, and the specific technical skills that make someone valuable today may be partially obsolete in five years. The ability to learn continuously — to recognize gaps in your knowledge and address them proactively — is what separates people who have long, evolving careers from those who plateau. Beyond that, I'd highlight communication: the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, to listen genuinely, and to navigate disagreement constructively. And integrity: in the long run, reputation is a form of capital, and it's extraordinarily difficult to rebuild once lost.
Turn 5
“Do you think the gig economy and remote work are changing the nature of careers in a positive or negative way?”
Useful Expressions
Both trends have... · Remote work has expanded... · As for the gig economy... · The challenge for policymakers...
Show Model Response
Both trends have genuinely positive and negative dimensions, and I think it's a mistake to romanticize either. Remote work has expanded geographic access to opportunity — people in smaller cities or rural areas can now compete for roles at companies headquartered anywhere in the world. That's a significant democratization of opportunity. But it also creates real challenges around mentorship, collaboration, and the kind of serendipitous learning that happens in shared physical spaces. As for the gig economy, it offers flexibility but often at the cost of security and social protection. The challenge for policymakers and businesses is to preserve what's genuinely valuable in these models while addressing the harms they can create.
Turn 6
“Finally, what advice would you give to someone just starting their career?”
Useful Expressions
The advice I'd most want to give... · The compounding effect of... · A strong professional network... · The careers that look the most linear...
Show Model Response
The advice I'd most want to give is to optimize for learning rather than compensation in the early years. The compounding effect of being in environments that push you to grow — even if they don't pay the most — tends to dominate over the long run. I'd also say: invest deliberately in building relationships with people whose judgment you respect. A strong professional network is not about collecting contacts; it's about developing genuine mutual trust with a smaller number of people over time. And perhaps most importantly: get comfortable with uncertainty. The careers that look the most linear in retrospect were almost always far more unpredictable in real time.
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