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
Explain your perspective on whether increasing the minimum wage is an effective strategy to reduce income inequality.
- How serious is income inequality in your country?
- Should governments increase the minimum wage?
- What are the primary benefits and drawbacks?
- What other measures could reduce wealth inequality?
20s to prepare · 1:30 to speak · 1 take only
Useful Expressions
Income inequality in my country is... · I believe governments should... · One major benefit is... while one drawback is... · Other measures that could help include... · Taking everything into account...
Show Model Response
Income inequality in my country has become a fairly serious and increasingly visible issue over the past decade, with wage growth for lower-income workers lagging significantly behind both inflation and the income gains seen by higher earners.
I believe governments should generally increase the minimum wage, though the specific approach matters quite a lot. A well-calibrated increase, implemented gradually and adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences, can meaningfully improve living standards for low-wage workers without causing the severe job losses that critics often predict.
One major benefit is that it directly puts more money in the hands of workers who are most likely to immediately spend it, which can actually stimulate local economic activity. However, one legitimate drawback is that if the increase is too aggressive or poorly timed relative to economic conditions, it could genuinely strain small businesses that operate on particularly thin profit margins, potentially leading to reduced hiring or automation in labor-intensive industries.
Beyond minimum wage increases, other measures that could help reduce wealth inequality include expanding access to affordable education and job training, strengthening social safety nets like healthcare and unemployment support, and reforming tax policy to ensure wealthier individuals and corporations contribute a fairer proportional share.
Taking everything into account, I don't think minimum wage increases alone would solve income inequality, but as part of a broader, well-designed policy package, I do believe it represents a genuinely important and reasonably effective piece of the overall solution.
I believe governments should generally increase the minimum wage, though the specific approach matters quite a lot. A well-calibrated increase, implemented gradually and adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences, can meaningfully improve living standards for low-wage workers without causing the severe job losses that critics often predict.
One major benefit is that it directly puts more money in the hands of workers who are most likely to immediately spend it, which can actually stimulate local economic activity. However, one legitimate drawback is that if the increase is too aggressive or poorly timed relative to economic conditions, it could genuinely strain small businesses that operate on particularly thin profit margins, potentially leading to reduced hiring or automation in labor-intensive industries.
Beyond minimum wage increases, other measures that could help reduce wealth inequality include expanding access to affordable education and job training, strengthening social safety nets like healthcare and unemployment support, and reforming tax policy to ensure wealthier individuals and corporations contribute a fairer proportional share.
Taking everything into account, I don't think minimum wage increases alone would solve income inequality, but as part of a broader, well-designed policy package, I do believe it represents a genuinely important and reasonably effective piece of the overall solution.