Updated 2026-08-28upper

Duolingo English Test Interactive Writing Practice #9 — Upper Level

Free DET (Duolingo English Test) Interactive Writing practice #9 — Upper level. Just DET Writing questions, no grading — solve it yourself and check the answer or model response.

How to practice: This set collects only the Interactive Writing question type from the real DET (Duolingo English Test) — DET Writing questions. No grading, no timer — solve it yourself, then tap each question to reveal the answer or model response.

In recent years, an increasing number of national governments and major corporations have made public pledges to achieve carbon neutrality — a state in which the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is balanced by the amount removed or offset. The European Union, for example, has enshrined a target of net-zero emissions by 2050 into law, while companies across the technology and energy sectors have announced their own carbon reduction roadmaps.

However, the credibility of these pledges varies considerably. Critics point to a phenomenon known as 'greenwashing,' in which organizations make sweeping environmental commitments for reputational benefit without implementing substantive changes to their core operations. A 2022 analysis of corporate carbon offset programs found that a significant proportion of purchased offsets failed to deliver the emissions reductions they claimed, either because the underlying projects were poorly monitored or because they would have occurred anyway in the absence of funding.

At the same time, defenders of carbon markets argue that no single mechanism will be sufficient on its own, and that offset programs, when properly designed and audited, can fund genuine conservation and renewable energy projects in regions that would otherwise lack capital. The debate reflects a broader tension between the urgency of climate action and the difficulty of verifying whether promised reductions are real, permanent, and additional.

Part 1
Based on the reading passage, discuss what you think governments should do to ensure that carbon neutrality pledges are credible and effective. Use evidence from the passage and your own reasoning to support your argument. (5 minutes)
Useful Expressions
As the passage notes, · In order for... · Furthermore, · On the question of...
Show Model Answer
The reading passage highlights a critical gap between carbon neutrality pledges and their actual implementation. In order for such commitments to be credible, governments must move beyond voluntary declarations and establish legally binding frameworks with independent verification mechanisms.

First, governments should mandate third-party auditing of all carbon offset programs. As the passage notes, a significant share of existing offsets have failed to deliver their promised reductions, often due to inadequate monitoring. Requiring transparent, verifiable reporting would eliminate or significantly reduce greenwashing. Second, governments should set sector-specific targets with clear annual milestones rather than distant, aggregate goals. Vague long-term pledges create little short-term accountability.

Furthermore, financial penalties for non-compliance would incentivize genuine action. The EU's approach of enshrining net-zero targets into law represents a promising model precisely because it creates legal obligations rather than mere aspirational statements. Without enforcement, pledges remain symbolic.
Part 2
Now consider the relationship between individual responsibility and corporate accountability in addressing climate change. In your opinion, who bears the greater obligation to act, and why? Add your thoughts to your previous response. (3 minutes)
Show Model Answer
On the question of individual versus corporate responsibility, I believe the two are inseparable but not equally weighted. Corporations, as the passage implies, are responsible for a disproportionate share of global emissions and have far greater capacity to implement systemic changes than any individual consumer.

However, individual choices are not irrelevant. Consumer demand shapes market incentives, and widespread behavioral change — such as reduced air travel, plant-based diets, and energy conservation — can amplify the pressure on corporations and policymakers to act more decisively. The most effective approach combines ambitious corporate regulation with strong public education that empowers individuals to make informed environmental choices. Framing this as an either-or debate risks allowing both actors to defer responsibility to the other.

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