How to practice: This set collects only the Read, Then Speak question type from the real DET (Duolingo English Test), covering DET Speaking questions. No grading and no timer, so solve it yourself, then tap each question to reveal the answer or model response.
Q1
Describe a neighborhood you know that has changed recently and explain how these changes have affected the local community.
- Where is this neighborhood located?
- What changes have happened there?
- Who benefited from these changes?
- What was a negative impact?
20s to prepare · 1:30 to speak · 1 take only
Useful Expressions
The neighborhood I'm thinking of is located... · The main changes have been... · The people who benefited most were... · One negative impact was... · Overall, I'd say...
Show Model Response
The neighborhood I'm thinking of is located near the downtown area of the city where I grew up, an area that used to be fairly run-down with a lot of empty storefronts and older, aging buildings that hadn't been renovated in decades.
Over the past several years, the main changes have involved significant redevelopment, with new apartment buildings, trendy cafes, and modern retail spaces replacing a lot of the older structures. The city also invested in better sidewalks, more green spaces, and improved public transportation access, which honestly transformed how the neighborhood looks and feels compared to when I was younger.
The people who benefited most from these changes were probably newer, generally wealthier residents who moved in once the area became more desirable, along with business owners who opened shops catering to that new demographic. Property values in the area increased substantially, which was great for existing homeowners who saw the value of their property rise significantly.
However, one clear negative impact was that many long-time residents, particularly renters and lower-income families who had lived there for generations, were essentially priced out as rents increased dramatically alongside the neighborhood's rising desirability. Several small, family-owned businesses that had served the community for years also couldn't afford the increased commercial rents and were forced to close.
Overall, I'd say the redevelopment brought real improvements in terms of infrastructure and appearance, but it also came with a genuine cost to the community that had originally made the neighborhood what it was.
Over the past several years, the main changes have involved significant redevelopment, with new apartment buildings, trendy cafes, and modern retail spaces replacing a lot of the older structures. The city also invested in better sidewalks, more green spaces, and improved public transportation access, which honestly transformed how the neighborhood looks and feels compared to when I was younger.
The people who benefited most from these changes were probably newer, generally wealthier residents who moved in once the area became more desirable, along with business owners who opened shops catering to that new demographic. Property values in the area increased substantially, which was great for existing homeowners who saw the value of their property rise significantly.
However, one clear negative impact was that many long-time residents, particularly renters and lower-income families who had lived there for generations, were essentially priced out as rents increased dramatically alongside the neighborhood's rising desirability. Several small, family-owned businesses that had served the community for years also couldn't afford the increased commercial rents and were forced to close.
Overall, I'd say the redevelopment brought real improvements in terms of infrastructure and appearance, but it also came with a genuine cost to the community that had originally made the neighborhood what it was.