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A horse and cart on a wet road under bare trees beside a stone wall at night, A Wet Moon, Putney Road, John Atkinson Grimshaw, 1886.
Jo was the first to wake in the gray dawn of Christmas morning. No stockings hung at the fireplace, and for a moment she felt as much disappointed as she did long ago, when her little sock fell down because it…
0 Words per minute 100% Accuracy
Little Women, the gray dawn of ChristmasLouisa May Alcott, published 1868
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Short, one sitting

Cover tile for Paradise Lost, vernal airs in Eden by John Milton, 1667 PoetryParadise Lost, vernal airs in EdenJohn Milton, published 1667Birds, breezes, and dancing figures in the garden of Eden.hard209 characters People in wide dresses and a horse carriage pass a brick hall with a clock tower, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Ferdinand Richardt, 1858. Law and constitutionsDeclaration of Independence: unalienable rightsSecond Continental Congress, published 1776The single sentence on equality and unalienable rights that the whole document rests on.hard212 characters Cover tile for Cranford, whatever becomes of the gentlemen by Elizabeth Gaskell, 1853 ProseCranford, whatever becomes of the gentlemenElizabeth Gaskell, published 1853The narrator notes, with a straight face, that the little town is run by its women.easy215 characters Cover tile for There was a child went forth every day by Walt Whitman, 1855 PoetryThere was a child went forth every dayWalt Whitman, published 1855A child becomes whatever he looks at, day after day.easy225 characters Tall-masted ships along a wet quay lit by street lamps under a pale green sky, Shipping on the Clyde, John Atkinson Grimshaw, 1881. Fables and talesAlice in Wonderland: the little doorLewis Carroll, published 1865Alice finds a low curtain, a little door behind it, and a key that fits at last.easy230 characters Cover tile for Washington’s Farewell Address: on knowledge by George Washington, 1796 Speeches and historyWashington’s Farewell Address: on knowledgeGeorge Washington, published 1796Washington asks the country to build institutions for the general spread of knowledge.medium240 characters A white domed capitol on a rise above a town of small houses and a wide river, Capitol Hill, George Cooke, 1833. Law and constitutionsMagna Carta: the liberties of the citiesKing John of England, published 1215The clause granting London and every other town and port their ancient liberties and free customs.medium242 characters
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Cover tile for A Christmas Carol, the shop windows by Charles Dickens, 1843 ProseA Christmas Carol, the shop windowsCharles Dickens, published 1843The grocer’s window in the Christmas market, seen through the eyes of a delighted narrator.hard246 characters

Prose

A horse and cart on a wet road under bare trees beside a stone wall at night, A Wet Moon, Putney Road, John Atkinson Grimshaw, 1886. ProseLittle Women, the gray dawn of ChristmasLouisa May Alcott, published 1868Jo wakes early on Christmas morning and finds the gift her mother promised.easy363 characters A sandy track winds past oak trees, a pool and a thatched cottage under piled clouds, Landscape in Suffolk, Thomas Gainsborough, 1747. ProseEmma, the view from Donwell AbbeyJane Austen, published 1815A summer view of English fields and gardens from the grounds of Donwell Abbey.hard340 characters A woman in a blue dress sits on a bench beside a standing man under an oak, with a wheat field behind, Mr and Mrs Andrews, Thomas Gainsborough, 1748. ProseEmma, the village of HighburyJane Austen, published 1815A short portrait of Highbury and of the place the Woodhouse family holds in it.medium428 characters A sandy track winds past oak trees, a pool and a thatched cottage under piled clouds, Landscape in Suffolk, Thomas Gainsborough, 1747. ProsePersuasion, the walk down to the sea at LymeJane Austen, published 1818The party from Uppercross settles at an inn in Lyme and goes straight down to the shore.easy260 characters Cattle stand at a stream among trees, with a valley and distant hills in warm evening light, Landscape with Cattle, Thomas Gainsborough, 1773. ProsePride and Prejudice, the park at PemberleyJane Austen, published 1813Elizabeth drives into the grounds of Pemberley and sees the wood and the rising ground.easy301 characters A horse and cart on a wet road under bare trees beside a stone wall at night, A Wet Moon, Putney Road, John Atkinson Grimshaw, 1886. ProseJane Eyre, morning at ThornfieldCharlotte Brontë, published 1847Jane wakes in her new room at Thornfield and finds the light and the furniture cheerful.easy434 characters An oil sketch of a low riverbank with yellow trees, a small house and tall white clouds, Low Tide, Shirehampton, by Philip Wilson Steer. ProseThe Secret Garden, inside the high wallsFrances Hodgson Burnett, published 1911Mary looks at the matted rose stems on the walls of the garden she has just found.easy468 characters
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A stone arch bridge over a river below a hillside town with a church tower, The Bridge, Bridgnorth, Philip Wilson Steer, 1901. ProseThe Secret Garden, a week of sunshineFrances Hodgson Burnett, published 1911Mary gives the garden its name and enjoys the feeling of being hidden in it.easy454 characters

Poetry

A hay wagon drawn by horses crosses a shallow river by a cottage under bright clouds, The Hay Wain, John Constable, 1821. PoetryThe Echoing Green, the sun does ariseWilliam Blake, published 1789Bells and birds welcome the spring while the old folk watch the children play.medium483 characters A close view of the wagon in the river, with the cottage on the left and elms above, The Hay Wain in detail, John Constable, 1821. PoetryLaughing Song, when the green woods laughWilliam Blake, published 1789Woods, stream, and meadows laugh while Mary, Susan, and Emily sing.easy350 characters Two figures on a sandy path above a wide river with sailing boats and low hills, a landscape by John Constable. PoetrySpring, sound the fluteWilliam Blake, published 1789A short song of flutes, birds, and children welcoming in the new year.medium288 characters A horse-drawn wagon stands in a shallow river beside a cottage and tall elms, The Hay Wain, John Constable, 1821. PoetryThe Lamb, from Songs of InnocenceWilliam Blake, published 1789The lamb is asked who made it, fed it, and gave it its tender voice.medium307 characters A hay wagon drawn by horses crosses a shallow river by a cottage under bright clouds, The Hay Wain, John Constable, 1821. PoetryHome-Thoughts, from Abroad, April in EnglandRobert Browning, published 1845A traveler abroad pictures the first leaves and the chaffinch at home in April.hard251 characters A close view of the wagon in the river, with the cottage on the left and elms above, The Hay Wain in detail, John Constable, 1821. PoetryHome-Thoughts, from Abroad, the wise thrushRobert Browning, published 1845May brings the whitethroat, the swallows, and a thrush that sings each song twice.hard360 characters Two figures on a sandy path above a wide river with sailing boats and low hills, a landscape by John Constable. PoetryShe walks in beauty, like the nightGeorge Gordon Byron, published 1815A woman whose beauty gathers all that is best of dark and bright, like a cloudless starry night.medium437 characters A horse-drawn wagon stands in a shallow river beside a cottage and tall elms, The Hay Wain, John Constable, 1821. PoetryKubla Khan, in XanaduSamuel Taylor Coleridge, published 1816Kubla Khan decrees a pleasure dome where the sacred river Alph runs down to a sunless sea.hard404 characters

Fables and tales

Tall-masted ships along a wet quay lit by street lamps under a pale green sky, Shipping on the Clyde, John Atkinson Grimshaw, 1881. Fables and talesThe Fox and the GrapesAesop, published 1867A famished fox tries every trick to reach the grapes, then calls them sour.medium303 characters A horse and cart on a wet road under bare trees beside a stone wall at night, A Wet Moon, Putney Road, John Atkinson Grimshaw, 1886. Fables and talesThe Hare and the TortoiseAesop, published 1867The hare mocks the tortoise, agrees to a race, and the tortoise keeps a steady pace.easy488 characters A pastel sketch of farm buildings between autumn trees above a pale yellow field, Autumn landscape, George Clausen, 1920. Fables and talesThe Milkmaid and Her PailAesop, published 1867The milkmaid counts eggs, chickens, a gown, and suitors before she has any of them.easy492 characters Tall-masted ships along a wet quay lit by street lamps under a pale green sky, Shipping on the Clyde, John Atkinson Grimshaw, 1881. Fables and talesThe North Wind and the SunAesop, published 1867The wind and the sun compete over a traveler’s cloak, and warmth wins.easy468 characters
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A pastel sketch of farm buildings between autumn trees above a pale yellow field, Autumn landscape, George Clausen, 1920. Fables and talesAlice in Wonderland: down the rabbit holeLewis Carroll, published 1865Alice follows the rabbit into its hole and finds herself falling down a very deep well.easy329 characters Tall-masted ships along a wet quay lit by street lamps under a pale green sky, Shipping on the Clyde, John Atkinson Grimshaw, 1881. Fables and talesAlice in Wonderland: the little doorLewis Carroll, published 1865Alice finds a low curtain, a little door behind it, and a key that fits at last.easy230 characters A horse-drawn wagon stands in a shallow river beside a cottage and tall elms, The Hay Wain, John Constable, 1821. Fables and talesThe Emperor’s New ClothesHans Christian Andersen, published 1837Two impostors arrive in the city and claim they can weave the most beautiful cloth imaginable.medium264 characters A man in a dark, broad-brimmed hat and jacket painted in thick strokes against a shadowed wall, The Juvenile Lead, Walter Sickert, 1908. Fables and talesThe Wind in the Willows: on the riverKenneth Grahame, published 1908Mole drifts in the boat while the Water Rat rows on without disturbing him.easy431 characters

Exercises

A man in a dark, broad-brimmed hat and jacket painted in thick strokes against a shadowed wall, The Juvenile Lead, Walter Sickert, 1908. ExercisesBritannica 1911: old English standardsEncyclopaedia Britannica, published 1911A list of old English and Scottish measuring standards with the year of each.hard315 characters A sandy track winds past oak trees, a pool and a thatched cottage under piled clouds, Landscape in Suffolk, Thomas Gainsborough, 1747. ExercisesNotes on Virginia: the Great Miami in figuresThomas Jefferson, published 1785Widths, distances, and portages of the Great Miami and the Salt River.easy496 characters A woman in a blue dress sits on a bench beside a standing man under an oak, with a wheat field behind, Mr and Mrs Andrews, Thomas Gainsborough, 1748. ExercisesNotes on Virginia: the Illinois and a portageThomas Jefferson, published 1785Jefferson describes the Illinois and the two-mile portage to the Chicago river.hard462 characters A sandy track winds past oak trees, a pool and a thatched cottage under piled clouds, Landscape in Suffolk, Thomas Gainsborough, 1747. ExercisesNotes on Virginia: the MississippiThomas Jefferson, published 1785A description of the great river below the mouth of the Missouri, with depths and widths.easy424 characters A hand-colored map showing green England and Wales across the sea from Flanders and Holland, England and the Low Countries, Christian Sgrooten, 1550. ExercisesHuman Rights Declaration, Article 23 on workUnited Nations General Assembly, published 1948The three opening clauses of the article on work, equal pay, and fair remuneration.hard456 characters A white domed capitol on a rise above a town of small houses and a wide river, Capitol Hill, George Cooke, 1833. ExercisesHuman Rights Declaration, Articles 19 and 20United Nations General Assembly, published 1948Articles 19 and 20 of the declaration cover opinion, expression, assembly, and association.hard380 characters People in wide dresses and a horse carriage pass a brick hall with a clock tower, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Ferdinand Richardt, 1858. ExercisesHuman Rights Declaration: care and schoolingUnited Nations General Assembly, published 1948The end of article twenty-five and the opening of the right to education.hard477 characters Cover tile for US Constitution: how a bill becomes law by Constitutional Convention, 1787 ExercisesUS Constitution: how a bill becomes lawConstitutional Convention, published 1787The clause describing what happens to a bill once both chambers have passed it.easy382 characters

Law and constitutions

A dense web of railway lines drawn across the outline of England and Wales, Airey Railway Map England & Wales, John Airey, 1881. Law and constitutionsBill of Rights: the First AmendmentUnited States Congress, published 1791The article that covers religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition in a single sentence.medium272 characters A white domed capitol on a rise above a town of small houses and a wide river, Capitol Hill, George Cooke, 1833. Law and constitutionsBill of Rights: the Fourth AmendmentUnited States Congress, published 1791The rule that searches need probable cause and a warrant naming the place and the things.hard332 characters People in wide dresses and a horse carriage pass a brick hall with a clock tower, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Ferdinand Richardt, 1858. Law and constitutionsDeclaration of Independence: unalienable rightsSecond Continental Congress, published 1776The single sentence on equality and unalienable rights that the whole document rests on.hard212 characters A white domed capitol on a rise above a town of small houses and a wide river, Capitol Hill, George Cooke, 1833. Law and constitutionsMagna Carta: the liberties of the citiesKing John of England, published 1215The clause granting London and every other town and port their ancient liberties and free customs.medium242 characters A dense web of railway lines drawn across the outline of England and Wales, Airey Railway Map England & Wales, John Airey, 1881. Law and constitutionsHuman Rights Declaration, Articles 1 and 2United Nations General Assembly, published 1948The two opening articles, on dignity and reason and on rights without distinction.hard431 characters Cover tile for US Constitution, Article III: the courts by Constitutional Convention, 1787 Law and constitutionsUS Constitution, Article III: the courtsConstitutional Convention, published 1787The clause that creates the Supreme Court and protects the standing of judges.hard405 characters Cover tile for US Constitution, Article VI: the supreme law by Constitutional Convention, 1787 Law and constitutionsUS Constitution, Article VI: the supreme lawConstitutional Convention, published 1787The supremacy clause, binding judges in every state to the Constitution, federal law, and treaties.medium359 characters
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Cover tile for The Preamble to the United States Constitution by Constitutional Convention, 1787 Law and constitutionsThe Preamble to the United States ConstitutionConstitutional Convention, published 1787The opening sentence of the Constitution, naming the people as the source of the new government.hard327 characters

Speeches and history

A hand-colored map showing green England and Wales across the sea from Flanders and Holland, England and the Low Countries, Christian Sgrooten, 1550. Speeches and historySusan B. Anthony: it was we, the peopleSusan B. Anthony, published 1873Anthony reads the preamble back to her audience and asks who the words we the people cover.easy318 characters Cover tile for Faraday: the open door of natural philosophy by Michael Faraday, 1861 Speeches and historyFaraday: the open door of natural philosophyMichael Faraday, published 1861Faraday tells his young audience why a candle is the best way into natural philosophy.easy460 characters A hand-colored map showing green England and Wales across the sea from Flanders and Holland, England and the Low Countries, Christian Sgrooten, 1550. Speeches and historyJefferson’s First Inaugural: a civic creedThomas Jefferson, published 1801Jefferson calls his principles the creed of political faith and the text of civic instruction.easy313 characters A dense web of railway lines drawn across the outline of England and Wales, Airey Railway Map England & Wales, John Airey, 1881. Speeches and historyJefferson’s First Inaugural: frugal governmentThomas Jefferson, published 1801Jefferson’s short definition of a government that restrains harm and then leaves people alone.medium377 characters People in wide dresses and a horse carriage pass a brick hall with a clock tower, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Ferdinand Richardt, 1858. Speeches and historyDeclaration of Sentiments, Seneca FallsElizabeth Cady Stanton, published 1848The opening claim of the Seneca Falls declaration, that men and women are created equal.medium337 characters Cover tile for Washington’s Farewell Address: good faith by George Washington, 1796 Speeches and historyWashington’s Farewell Address: good faithGeorge Washington, published 1796A call to keep good faith and justice toward every nation and to set that example.medium399 characters Cover tile for Washington’s Farewell Address: on knowledge by George Washington, 1796 Speeches and historyWashington’s Farewell Address: on knowledgeGeorge Washington, published 1796Washington asks the country to build institutions for the general spread of knowledge.medium240 characters

Drama

Three children in lace ruffs and embroidered doublets, the middle one holding a small animal, Three Unknown Elizabethan Children, 1580. DramaAs You Like It, all the world’s a stageWilliam Shakespeare, published 1599Jaques calls the world a stage and gets as far as the infant, the schoolboy, and the lover.medium447 characters A curly-haired young man in a white pleated ruff, painted in an oval frame of pearls, Self-Portrait in Elizabethan Costume, Richard Cosway, 1790. DramaA Midsummer Night’s Dream, a bank of wild thymeWilliam Shakespeare, published 1600Oberon describes the bank of wild thyme where Titania sleeps, and the charm he plans there.hard437 characters Three children in lace ruffs and embroidered doublets, the middle one holding a small animal, Three Unknown Elizabethan Children, 1580. DramaA Midsummer Night’s Dream, the seasons alterWilliam Shakespeare, published 1600Titania describes a year in which frost falls on roses and the seasons trade places.hard491 characters
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Three children in lace ruffs and embroidered doublets, the middle one holding a small animal, Three Unknown Elizabethan Children, 1580. DramaThe Tempest, our revels now are endedWilliam Shakespeare, published 1611Prospero says the show is over and compares it to the world itself.hard454 characters Cover tile for The Importance of Being Earnest, on the home by Oscar Wilde, 1895 DramaThe Importance of Being Earnest, on the homeOscar Wilde, published 1895Gwendolen explains, with a straight face, why the home is the proper sphere for a man.easy333 characters

Science

Cover tile for On the Origin of Species, the slowest breeder by Charles Darwin, 1859 ScienceOn the Origin of Species, the slowest breederCharles Darwin, published 1859Darwin works out how many elephants would be alive after five centuries of slow breeding.easy456 characters Cover tile for A candle lecture, fifteen pounds to the inch by Michael Faraday, 1861 ScienceA candle lecture, fifteen pounds to the inchMichael Faraday, published 1861Faraday explains how much the air presses on every square inch of a vessel.easy257 characters Cover tile for The candle: the shadow of the flame by Michael Faraday, 1861 ScienceThe candle: the shadow of the flameMichael Faraday, published 1861Faraday shows that the darkest part of the shadow answers to the brightest part of the flame.easy460 characters Cover tile for The candle: where the oxygen comes from by Michael Faraday, 1861 ScienceThe candle: where the oxygen comes fromMichael Faraday, published 1861Faraday turns from water to the air, where the oxygen in the flame comes from.easy253 characters Cover tile for The candle: why the wick does not burn away by Michael Faraday, 1861 ScienceThe candle: why the wick does not burn awayMichael Faraday, published 1861Faraday explains that melted fuel running down the wick puts the flame out.easy451 characters
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Typing test Type texts worth knowing A hundred short passages, from Lewis Carroll to the US Constitution. You type one and find out where it comes from and what it is about. Pick a text Keyboard test Keyboard test Press a key and watch it light up. It shows keys that stay silent, keys that fire twice, and how many keys your board reads at once. Check your keyboard Blog Blog Articles about the texts you type and the keyboards you type them on. Read the blog

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ENEnglishIn English you type a Shakespeare sonnet, the opening of Alice in Wonderland, and Wordsworth on a field of daffodils. DEDeutschAuf Deutsch tippen Sie Schiller, einen Abschnitt aus dem Grundgesetz und die Brüder Grimm, samt Umlauten und Eszett. FRFrançaisEn français, vous recopiez les fables de La Fontaine, un conte de Perrault et l’incipit de Jules Verne, accents et cédille compris. PLPolskiPo polsku przepiszesz Inwokację z Pana Tadeusza, Wstęp do bajek Krasickiego i początek Lalki, razem z ogonkami.

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The QWERTZ Keyboard Explained, Key by KeyQWERTZ changes 24 of 48 character keys. Where ß, ä, ö, ü, @, and the brackets sit, why Y and Z swapped, and why Swiss keyboards have no ß at all.Read the article The AZERTY Keyboard Explained, Key by KeyAZERTY moves 28 of 48 character keys. Where every digit, accent and bracket sits, how Belgian AZERTY differs, and when you need the physical board at all.Read the article Why the QWERTY Layout Exists, and Why It StayedQWERTY reached its modern letter order in an 1878 patent. Typebar jams, telegraph operators, and why ISO/IEC 9995 standardizes positions only.Read the article

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