100+ One-Minute Speed Reading Drills
Build English reading fluency with short, levelled texts on science, history, people, inventions and the natural world. Most readings are around a minute or two for learners, depending on your level and reading speed.
How to use them: read for meaning, time yourself, answer the comprehension questions, then try another text. Aim to improve speed without losing understanding.
Open the full Speed Reading Library →Choose your level
That is 130 levelled readings, plus the main speed-reading practice page.
Popular topics to start with
The Egyptian Pyramids
A2 · Ancient Egypt · 112 words
Shackleton and the Endurance Crew
B1 · Exploration · 120 words
How Blue Whales Communicate
Science & nature
Earthquakes
Science · Earth processes
Ada Lovelace
Computing · Famous people
Penicillin
Science · Discovery
The Great Wall of China
History
Dinosaurs and the Asteroid
Science & nature
Neil Armstrong
Space · Famous people
How Octopuses Change Colour
Science & nature
The Northern Lights
Science & nature
The Steam Engine
History · Inventions
A simple fluency routine
- Choose a text at your level.
- Start the timer and read once without stopping.
- Answer the questions without looking back if you can.
- Check your comprehension and words per minute.
- Try another short reading tomorrow.