Video summary

Writing & Speaking Template: What is your opinion? (Duolingo English Test)

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas and lesson concepts

  • The video teaches a writing and speaking template for “State your opinion” questions on the Duolingo English Test (DET).
  • The template is designed to help you produce a high-scoring response by:
    • clearly stating your opinion first,
    • giving 2–3 reasons,
    • supporting each reason with examples/evidence,
    • using formula-like introduction and paragraph structure,
    • and (optionally) adding a conclusion if time allows.

Example question types the template applies to

  • School subjects: “Some people believe Sports should be a required subject… others think it should be optional. What is your opinion?”
  • Technology: “Many people believe technology has made life easier… others argue it has made life more complicated. What is your opinion?”
  • Well-being: “Is it more important to focus on individual happiness or societal well-being?”
  • News sources:
    • “Is it important to get your news from multiple different sources? Why/why not?”
    • “How do you determine whether a source is trustworthy?”

Core methodology (templates and structure)

1) Planning during the test

  • In the initial planning time (about 20–30 seconds):
    • Identify your opinion (the key first step).
    • Then think of 2–3 reasons you can explain.

2) How many reasons to use (writing vs speaking)

  • Writing questions: usually 2 supporting ideas/reasons.
  • Speaking questions: recommend 3 supporting ideas/reasons to fill the time and speak long enough for a higher score.

Full response structure

A) Introduction (2 sentences)

Goal: clearly frame the debate and state your stance.

Sentence 1 (complex “concession + stance” formula)

Two main introduction options (same idea, different wording):

  1. “Although/Despite [other side], in my view [your opinion overall].”

    • Example provided:
      • “Although technology has made our lives more complicated in some ways, in my view it has made our lives easier on balance.”

  2. “While [other side], I am of the opinion that overall [your opinion].”

    • Example provided:
      • “While technology has made our lives more complicated in some ways, I am of the opinion that overall it has made our lives easier.”

Sentence 2 (signposting your reasons—choose one best option)

  • The “highest scoring” option:
    • “One and in my opinion …” (as stated by the video)
  • Other alternatives also work:
    • You can say there are three primary reasons, three main reasons, or the following three reasons.

Combined example outcome:

  • “Although technology has made our lives more complicated in some ways, in my view it has made our lives easier on balance.”
  • “There are three primary reasons for which I hold this view.”

B) Body paragraphs (each reason + explanation + example)

For each body paragraph, follow this pattern:

  • Topic sentence introducing the reason (use a template)
  • Transition into evidence
  • Example/evidence
  • Explain how it supports your opinion

Topic sentence templates (Reason paragraph #1)

Choose from:

  1. “The primary reason is that …”
  2. “The most notable reason is that …”
  3. “Most significantly …”
  4. “First …”

Example/evidence transition phrases

Use one of:

  • “for example”
  • “an illustrative example is that”
  • “for instance”
  • “finally—for instance” (video treats these as usable example-introducers)

Body paragraph #1 example (technology makes communication easier)

  • Topic sentence (template used):
    • “The primary reason is that technology has made it easier to communicate with people …”
  • Example:
    • “I have friends that live in Europe and Asia and we can video chat anytime…”
  • Evidence → link:
    • “…we don’t have to spend the time or money to travel to see one another in person in order to maintain our close friendship.”

Body paragraph #2 (same structure; second reason)

Topic sentence templates for paragraph #2:

  • “The second reason is that …”
  • “Another notable reason is that …”
  • “Second most significantly …”
  • “Second …”

Example (longer, healthier lives):

  • “Second most significantly technology allows us to enjoy longer healthier lives…”
  • Illustrative example:
    • “Technological breakthroughs like MRI machines provide more detailed scans…”
  • Link:
    • “This allows us to receive better medical care which contributes to our longevity and life satisfaction.”

Body paragraph #3 (same structure; third reason)

Topic sentence templates for paragraph #3:

  • “The third reason is that …”
  • “Yet another notable reason is that …”
  • “Finally …”
  • “Third …”

Example (learning skills/topics more easily):

  • “Yet another notable reason is that technology allows us to more easily learn about new topics and gain valuable skills…”
  • Example:
    • “Sites like Khan Academy provide free access… in subjects like mathematics, physics, biology, or economics/finance.”
  • Link:
    • “The speaker used Khan Academy to master material, improve grades, and succeed professionally.”

C) Conclusion (optional)

  • The video claims a conclusion is not required for a high score.
  • The speaker states personal results: 160/160 twice, with no conclusions.
  • If you do include one, it follows simple templates:
    • “In conclusion / To conclude / To sum up / In sum …”
  • The video argues conclusions usually don’t add new points, so it’s better to add new ideas/vocabulary within body paragraphs instead.

Recap checklist (what to remember)

  • 1) State your opinion clearly first.
  • 2) List 2–3 reasons (2 for writing; 3 for speaking is recommended).
  • 3) Each body paragraph should include:
    • a strong topic sentence,
    • connecting words at the start,
    • an example/evidence,
    • and a clear connection back to why it supports your main opinion.
  • Consider a conclusion only if you have time, but it’s optional.

Speakers / sources featured

Speaker

  • Arno (mentioned as a product/tool brand: “In Arno, you get unlimited practice questions…”). (No individual human narrator is explicitly named in the subtitles.)

Tool / platform sources mentioned

  • Arno (Duolingo English Test practice + AI feedback, mock tests, vocabulary builder, grammar exercises)
  • Khan Academy (example source used for learning)
  • MRI machines (example technology referenced for medical detection)

Original video