Family is one the most common topics in the Duolingo English Test, so it’s time to learn some idioms and collocations to help you get a higher score in the face of Writing and Speaking questions.
This is your Idioms and Collocations series, No. 5, Family topic.
1. Blood is thicker than water (idiom)
Meaning: family relationships are stronger than any others
Example: You know, people always say “Blood is thicker than water”.
2. Be cut from the same cloth (idiom)
Meaning: To have very similar qualities to someone or something else
Example: He is quiet and thoughtful, and you are cut from the same cloth.
3. Like father, like son (idiom)
Meaning: Used to say that a son’s character or behaviour is similar to that of his father
Example: Like father, like son. His father also likes jogging early in the morning.
4. Close-knit family (phrases)
Meaning: Members of the family have strong relationships with each other and take a close, friendly interest in each other’s activities and problems
Example: We are a close-knit family, always go out together on weekends.
5. A chip off the old block (idiom)
Meaning: A person who is very similar to their mother or father in the way that they look or behave
Example: Janice is a chip off the old block, she looks like a princess just like her mother.
6. A nuclear family (phrases)
Meaning: A family that consists of a father, mother and children, when it is thought of as a unit in society
Example: Not everybody nowadays lives in the conventional nuclear family.
7. An extended family (phrases)
Meaning: A family group with a close relationship among the members that includes not only parents and children but also uncles, aunts, grandparents, etc.
Example: He grew up surrounded by a large extended family.
Note: We refer to Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries and Cambridge Dictionary to share meanings and some examples.
Here is our first sample question: Interactive Writing (the main question), Level 3, question number 25 on the DET Practice Website.
It is better for children if the whole family including aunts, uncles and grandparents are involved in a child’s upbringing, rather than just their parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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Sample answer:
I firmly believe that raising children with the involvement of an extended family, including aunts, uncles, and grandparents, can have a significant positive impact. After all, blood is thicker than water, and the influence of family members outside the nuclear family should not be underestimated.
In a close-knit family, children can benefit from the wisdom and experiences of older generations. Grandparents often see their grandchildren as a chip off the old block, recognizing traits they saw in their own children. Similarly, children may take after their aunts or uncles, proving the saying like father, like son. Since relatives are often cut from the same cloth, they are more likely to provide consistent values and support, enriching a child's environment.
Therefore, I agree that it takes more than just parents to raise well-rounded children. The support of extended family fosters a stronger bond and a richer upbringing.
If you write your answer to our DET Practice Website, you will receive the following detailed feedback including all the grading elements that the Duolingo English Test uses to assess your skills.
cre: TADE Hub
Here is our second sample answer: Listen then Speak, Level 1, Question number 2 on the DET Practice Website.
Describe a family member you are closest to.
Who this person is;
What you have done together;
And explain why you like this person.
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Sample answer:
The family member I am closest to is my older brother. Being part of a close-knit family, we’ve always shared a strong bond, proving the saying blood is thicker than water. Throughout our lives, my brother and I have done many things together, from playing sports as kids to travelling as adults. We are cut from the same cloth, sharing similar interests and a sense of humour. Whether it's a family vacation or a quiet evening at home, we’ve always enjoyed each other's company. People often say he’s a chip off the old block, as he carries many of our father’s traits, and I’ve always admired that about him. I like my brother because he’s supportive, fun to be around, and always has my back. In our nuclear family, he has been my greatest companion, and I know I can always rely on him.
Similar to the first sample question, here is your detailed feedback after submitting your practising answer to the DET Practice Website.
cre: TADE Hub
This is video sample feedback, let's take a look for a better understanding of our instantly detailed feedback for Writing and Speaking questions.
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