READ 3356 FRY READABILITY EXERCISE
First passage (chapter 2):
The next morning the youth discovered that his tall comrade had been the fast-flying
messenger of a mistake(1). There was much scoffing at the latter by those who had yesterday
been firm adherents of his views, and there was even a little sneering by men who had never
believed the rumor(2). The tall one fought with a man from Chatfield Corners and beat him
severely.(3)
The youth felt, however, that his problem was in no wise lifted from him(4). There was,
on the contrary, an irritating prolongation(5). The tale had created in him a great concern for
himself(6). Now, with [the newborn question in his mind, he was compelled to sink back into his
old place as part of a blue demonstration.] (2/24)
Second Passage (chapter 13):
He had a conviction that he would soon feel in his sore heart the barbed missiles of
Ridicule(1). He had no strength to invent a tale; he would be a soft target(2).
He made vague plans to go off into the deeper darkness and hide, but they were all
destroyed by the voices of exhaustion and pain from his body(3). His ailments, clamoring,
forced him to seek the place of food and rest, at whatever cost(4).
He swung unsteadily toward the fire(5). He could see the forms of men throwing black
shadows in the red light, and as he went [nearer it became known to him in some way that the
ground was strewn with sleeping men. ] (18/35)
Third Passage (chapter 23):
He expected that his companions, weary and stiffened, would have to be driven to this
assault, but as he turned toward them he perceived with a certain surprise that they were
giving quick and unqualified expressions of assent(1). There was an ominous, clanging overture
to the charge when the shafts of the bayonets rattled upon the rifle barrels(2). At the yelled
words of command the soldiers sprang forward in eager leaps(3). There was new and
unexpected force in the movement of the regiment(4). A knowledge of its faded and jaded
condition made the charge appear like a paroxysm, a display [of the strength that comes before a
final feebleness.] (17/26)
Number of Sentences
Number of Syllables
First 100 words
6.1
141
Second 100 words
5.5
128
Third 100 words
4.7
147
16.3
416
Total
Average (and divide by 3)
5.4
138.6
1