Three original national parks paragraphs, 126 words in total, at an average US reading grade of 9.0. Each takes about 69 seconds at 40 WPM.
About these paragraphs
These paragraphs about Yellowstone, Yosemite and America's public lands were written by the Typeri team for typing practice. They use real sentences with capital letters, commas and numbers, so they train the same skills as everyday writing. Facts were checked against standard references.
The paragraphs
Paragraph 1
Yellowstone became the first national park in the world in 1872. It sits on top of a huge volcanic hot spot, which powers more than half of the geysers on Earth. Old Faithful is the most famous, erupting many times a day.
Paragraph 2
Yosemite National Park in California is known for its granite cliffs, giant sequoias and tall waterfalls. Climbers come from around the world to scale El Capitan, a sheer wall of rock that rises about three thousand feet above the valley floor.
Paragraph 3
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is about 277 river miles long and more than a mile deep in places. The Colorado River carved it over millions of years, exposing layers of rock that tell a long story about the history of our planet.
Length and reading level
| Paragraph | Words | Characters | Reading grade | Time at 40 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42 | 221 | 5.9 | 66 sec |
| 2 | 41 | 244 | 10.2 | 73 sec |
| 3 | 43 | 227 | 10.9 | 68 sec |
Reading grade is the Flesch-Kincaid grade level, an estimate of the US school grade that can read the text comfortably. Time assumes the average adult copy speed of about 40 WPM. At the 52 WPM study average, each paragraph takes about a quarter less time.
How to practice with paragraphs
- Type one paragraph without stopping. Fix mistakes with Backspace, but keep going.
- Check accuracy first. Aim for 95% or higher before chasing speed.
- Repeat the same paragraph two or three times. Familiar text lets you focus on rhythm and finger movement.
- Switch to a new topic once you can finish a paragraph comfortably above your normal speed.
For teachers and parents
Every paragraph here is free to use in class. Students can take the test above on any device, and results stay private on their own device. Pair paragraphs with the typing lessons for structured practice, and use the typing certificate as a reward for a personal best.
More paragraph topics
Frequently asked questions
Can I print these national parks typing paragraphs?
Yes. They are free for personal and classroom use. Use your browser's print option, and the test and ads are hidden on the printed page.
What reading level are they?
The average Flesch-Kincaid grade level is 9.0, which suits most middle school, high school and adult typists.