Typing lesson 10 of 17
Typing lesson 10: Q and Z
Q and Z are the last two letters, both typed by your left pinky: Q up from A, Z down from it. After this lesson every letter is in, so any of the 5,547 words in the word bank can come up; 104 of them have a Q or a Z.
Keys and fingers
- Pinky
- Ring finger
- Middle finger
- Index finger
- Thumbs (space bar)
- Pale: keys from earlier lessons
- Outlined: home keys
| Key | Finger | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Q | Left pinky | Up from A |
| Z | Left pinky | Down from A |
How to practice
- Reach with the pinky alone. The ring finger stays on S while the pinky goes up to Q or down to Z.
- Come back to A after each reach.
- Expect a U after Q. In all 59 words with a Q in the word bank, U comes next. That’s your right index finger, so the hands take turns.
Practice words
5,547 words in the word bank use only the letters so far, and 104 of them have Q or Z. The 40 most common:
- question
- quite
- questions
- size
- quality
- amazing
- crazy
- required
- quickly
- quick
- organization
- equipment
- queen
- square
- realize
- require
- request
- unique
- magazine
- citizens
- quarter
- zone
- organizations
- requires
- squad
- equal
- quiet
- requirements
- zero
- prize
- realized
- frequently
- quit
- recognize
- recognized
- organized
- quote
- techniques
- equivalent
- consequences
A round of this lesson, as the trainer writes it for a new typist. Each round draws new words, most of them with the new keys:
consequence country qualified amazing bad zinc puzzle actually zero quoted dozens acquire inquiry equipment zinc sized made fizz squad require
Common mistakes
- A for Q or Z. The pinky didn’t reach far enough: Q and Z are a full row up and down.
- W for Q, or X for Z. The ring finger reaching for the pinky’s keys.
- Losing the home row after a pinky reach. The pinky is the shortest finger, so its reaches can pull the hand along. Check the bump on F.
Frequently asked questions
Which finger types Q and Z?
Your left pinky, for both: Q up from A, and Z down from it.
What can I type after lesson 10?
Every letter is in by now, so any of the 5,547 words in the word bank can come up. Lessons 11 and 12 add the punctuation that turns words into sentences: periods and commas, then capitals and question marks.
How do I pass lesson 10?
Type a round at 95% accuracy or better in which both Q and Z were typed right at least once. A lesson round is at most 30 words, and you can try again as often as you like: start lesson 10.
What comes after lesson 10?
Lesson 11 adds periods and commas. Once you pass lesson 10, the next round starts it, and you can go back to any lesson whenever you like.
