Duolingo English Test Speak About the Photo Practice #10 — Upper Level

This photo shows... · I think this reflects... · The glass walls suggest... · Meetings like this...

This photo shows a business meeting taking place in a modern glass-walled conference room. Six professionals are seated around a table, and the group appears diverse in terms of age and background, which I think reflects the increasingly global and cross-cultural nature of contemporary business environments. One person is standing and presenting slides on a large screen, while the others are actively engaged — some taking notes, some working on laptops. The glass walls suggest this is likely part of a larger open-plan office, which is consistent with the modern, transparent working culture many companies try to project. Meetings like this one are central to corporate decision-making, whether they involve strategic planning, reviewing financial performance, or coordinating cross-departmental projects. The body language of the participants appears focused and engaged, suggesting a productive discussion.

This photo captures... · Which suggests... · I think the long-term... · High-street retail...

This photo captures a lively high-street shopping area. The street is lined with retail chain stores, and I can see a prominent sale sign in one of the shop windows, which suggests this may be a seasonal promotional period. Many shoppers are walking past the stores, and several of them are already carrying bags, indicating they have made purchases. The street is well-lit with commercial signage, creating the kind of visually stimulating retail environment that is deliberately designed to attract foot traffic and encourage spending. High-street retail districts like this one are significant economic ecosystems — they employ large numbers of people, generate substantial tax revenue, and serve as indicators of consumer confidence. However, the rise of e-commerce has put considerable pressure on physical retail, and I think the long-term viability of high-street shopping is something many urban planners and business analysts are actively rethinking.

In this photo... · What appears to be... · Projects like this one are... · At the same time...

In this photo, I can see an active construction site located in what appears to be a dense urban environment. Several tall cranes are visible against the skyline, and workers wearing hard hats and high-visibility safety vests are engaged in various tasks — operating heavy machinery and moving construction materials. The framework of what appears to be a large commercial or residential building is partially complete, with structural steel clearly visible. Construction projects like this one are significant indicators of economic activity: they reflect investment confidence, create jobs across multiple skilled trades, and signal demand for office, retail, or residential space. At the same time, large-scale urban construction raises questions about affordability, community displacement, and environmental impact, particularly in cities where housing costs and inequality are already major concerns.