Duolingo English Vocabulary and Context Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the 'Read and Select' task of the Duolingo English Test, what must the test taker identify?
- The definition of a given word
- Real English words from a mix of real and fake words (Correct answer)
- Synonyms for highlighted vocabulary
- The correct pronunciation of displayed words
Correct answer: Real English words from a mix of real and fake words
The 'Read and Select' task presents a list of words, some real English words and some invented non-words. Test takers must identify which ones are actual English words, testing vocabulary breadth and word recognition ability.
Question 2: A test taker encounters the fake word 'glimption' in a 'Read and Select' task. What makes it a convincing non-word?
- It uses random letter combinations
- It follows English morphological patterns with a recognizable prefix and suffix (Correct answer)
- It is a word from another language
- It is simply a misspelling of a common word
Correct answer: It follows English morphological patterns with a recognizable prefix and suffix
Convincing non-words like 'glimption' follow English word formation rules, combining familiar elements (like 'glimp-' resembling 'glimpse' and '-tion' being a common suffix). This makes the task a genuine test of vocabulary knowledge.
Question 3: Which strategy is most effective for the vocabulary identification tasks on the Duolingo English Test?
- Select every word that looks somewhat familiar
- Only select words you can define precisely
- Trust your instinct about word familiarity while being cautious about plausible-looking non-words (Correct answer)
- Select the minimum number of words possible
Correct answer: Trust your instinct about word familiarity while being cautious about plausible-looking non-words
The optimal strategy balances confidence with caution. Selecting words you genuinely recognize while being skeptical of plausible-looking non-words maximizes accuracy. Both false positives and false negatives affect the score.
Question 4: In a vocabulary-in-context question, the sentence reads: 'The diplomat showed remarkable poise during the tense negotiations.' What does 'poise' most likely mean here?
- Physical balance
- Composure and self-assurance under pressure (Correct answer)
- Poisonous intent
- Readiness to strike
Correct answer: Composure and self-assurance under pressure
In the context of diplomatic negotiations, 'poise' refers to composure, calmness, and self-assurance under pressure. While 'poise' can mean physical balance in other contexts, the diplomatic setting makes composure the most appropriate meaning.
Question 5: How does the Duolingo English Test assess vocabulary depth versus vocabulary breadth?
- It only tests breadth through word recognition
- It tests breadth through 'Read and Select' and depth through contextual usage in other sections (Correct answer)
- It only tests depth through essay writing
- Vocabulary is not assessed separately on the test
Correct answer: It tests breadth through 'Read and Select' and depth through contextual usage in other sections
The test assesses both dimensions: vocabulary breadth through 'Read and Select' (recognizing many words) and vocabulary depth through tasks requiring contextual usage, sentence completion, and productive language use in writing and speaking sections.
Question 6: A test taker selects 'flaunter' as a real word in the 'Read and Select' task. Is this correct?
- No, 'flaunter' is not a real English word
- Yes, 'flaunter' is a real word meaning one who flaunts (Correct answer)
- It depends on the context
- Only in British English
Correct answer: Yes, 'flaunter' is a real word meaning one who flaunts
'Flaunter' is a legitimate English word derived from 'flaunt' with the agentive suffix '-er,' meaning one who flaunts. Recognizing derived forms of known words is an important vocabulary skill tested in this section.
Duolingo English Vocabulary and Context Questions and Answers 2
In the 'Read and Select' task of the Duolingo English Test, what must the test taker identify?