At what grade level does this report sound? (not letter grades... like grades 1-12)?

Question

Philip Livingston Jr. was a prominent merchant and a strong political leader from New York City. He was a delegate for New York to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
On January 15th 1716, Philip was born into the wealthy and well-known Livingston family. He was the fourth of ten children born to Catharina Van Brugh and Philip Livingston. Young Livingston lived a comfortable childhood in his father’s brick townhouse in Albany on the tree-shaded and accordingly named, Elm Tree Corner.
Philip’s precociousness and the Livingston family’s wealth enabled him to attend Yale University. He enrolled in 1736 and graduated later that year, eager to begin his career. Soon after graduation, he settled in New York City and established a prosperous import business. Gradually, Philip earned a large fortune of his own.
The youthful merchant married Christina Ten Broeck, the daughter of Albany civic leader, Dirck Ten Broeck. Philip and Christina had nine children. The happy couple resided in Manhattan, occasionally visiting their vast farm in Brooklyn.
Livingston was a philanthropic young man, frequently donating money to various societies and causes. He helped found the New York Society Library, the Saint Andrew’s Society, the city’s Chamber of Commerce, and Columbia University. He, a Presbyterian, also promoted the concept of religious freedom.
Sometime after his fortieth birthday in 1754, Livingston had his first taste of politics as a member of the board of Aldermen, the local governing committee. He was a highly respected Alderman; thus, he was reelected each year for the following nine years. In addition, that year, Livingston also went as a delegate to the Albany Congress. The congress discussed ways to ameliorate the common plans for dealing with the French and Indian War.
In 1759, Livingston was elected onto New York’s House of Representatives. He held that important position for ten years. In opposition of the Stamp Act, Livingston attended the Stamp Act Congress. The Stamp Act Congress held the first formal protests against Britain. He later joined the Committee of Correspondence to maintain communication with leaders of other colonies.
Philip Livingston was chosen as one of New York’s delegates to the Continental Congress in 1775. He wholly supported the colonies’ separation from Great Britain. Livingston proudly signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Livingston passed away on June 12, 1778, at age sixty-two. He collapsed at a congress session in York, Pennsylvania. He was the third signer of the Declaration to die, after only Button Gwinnett and John Morton.
Philip Livingston is considered a Founding Father of the United States of America. His leadership and contributions to our country have not since been forgotten. Livingston Avenue and Philip Livingston Magnet Academy have been named to honor this great man. The accomplishments and bravery of Philip Livingston should always be recognized as steps leading to where the United States is today.

I'm really in the 7th grade. I noticed some said that if it was turned in by a student under the tenth grade, they would accuse me of plagarism. I swear I didn't. Do you think my teacher will accuse me of this?

Answer 1

The Flesch-Kincade readability index grades it at 11.7. It is grammatically sound and both sentence and paragraph structure are within the boundaries of standard written English.

If I were teaching a class below the 10th grade in an American High School, I would be suspicious that perhaps this report had been "heavily borrowed" from either another source or a college educated writer. It would receive a "pass" grade in any undergraduate American History course provided proper credit was given to research sources.

TEACHME

Answer 2

In Word, click on Tools -> Options. Click on the "Spelling & Grammar" tab, check the box that says "Show readability statistics". Every time you check the spelling and grammar it will tell you a grade level. Your sample was 10.6 - midway between a high school sophomore (10) and a junior (11), if the decimal point is hard to see. The grade level scoring isn't perfect. It doesn't go higher than 12. Our church has a smart guy - he actually is a rocket scientist - who talks about world issues. When I post his lectures on the church web site I test them. (Even people with high foreheads make typos.) I KNOW he's writing at higher than 12th grade, but Word always ranks them 12.

Answer 3

I found your report very informative. It, as does most of history in my opinion, wasn't exciting. However I learned things about Philip Livingston and can see the point behind your report.
Thank you, I enjoyed reading it.

Answer 4

I'd say about 9th or 10th grade

Answer 5

definitely 9 or 10...the vocab is pretty sophisticated and the sentence structure and grammar are pretty good.

Answer 6

9-10th

Answer 7

like 9th or 10th