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Public Speaking Worksheet: Speech Timing

Public speaking lesson 15: Timing a speech (words per minute) · Set 207 · 40 questions
TalentJR

Speaker's tip (Words = rate × minutes): Words = words per minute × minutes. Minutes = words ÷ words per minute. Words per minute = words ÷ minutes. Half a minute = half the rate: at 120 words a minute, 2 and a half minutes = 240 + 60 = 300 words. Seconds = words × 60 ÷ rate. Too long? Words to cut = words written − (rate × minutes). Stay a little under the limit for pauses and applause.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  1. 1.⏱️ How many words can Saanvi say in 2 and a half minutes at 140 words a minute?
  2. 2.⏱️ Rohan reads a 150-word assembly talk at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  3. 3.🐢 Which is a comfortable speaking pace for most speeches? (a) 300–400 words a minute (b) 20–30 words a minute (c) 120–150 words a minute
  4. 4.⏱️ How many words can Tara say in 2 and a half minutes at 140 words a minute?
  5. 5.🎙️ In a practice run, Nisha said 520 words in 4 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  6. 6.⏱️ Ishaan reads a 450-word debate speech at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  7. 7.⏱️ Ishaan reads a 50-word class presentation at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  8. 8.⏱️ How many words can Arjun say in 1 and a half minutes at 100 words a minute?
  9. 9.✂️ Saanvi’s welcome speech must fit in 3 minutes. Saanvi speaks at 140 words a minute and has written 500 words. How many words must be cut?
  10. 10.⏱️ Vihaan reads a 450-word class presentation at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  11. 11.⏱️ Nisha speaks at 120 words a minute. How many words fit in a 1-minute science fair talk?
  12. 12.⏱️ Kabir speaks at 100 words a minute. How many words fit in a 4-minute debate speech?
  13. 13.⏱️ Diya speaks at 120 words a minute. How many words fit in a 5-minute debate speech?
  14. 14.⏱️ Why should you time your speech when you practise? (a) to speak faster (b) to skip the ending (c) to fit the time limit (d) to tire yourself
  15. 15.🎙️ In a practice run, Ananya said 390 words in 3 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  16. 16.✂️ Meera’s competition speech must fit in 1 minute. Meera speaks at 100 words a minute and has written 110 words. How many words must be cut?
  17. 17.🎙️ In a practice run, Arjun said 300 words in 3 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  18. 18.⏱️ Tara’s science fair talk has 600 words. At 120 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  19. 19.🎙️ In a practice run, Ishaan said 420 words in 3 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  20. 20.✂️ Your speech is too long for the time limit. What should you do? (a) ignore the limit (b) cut the weakest part (c) speak super fast (d) skip the ending
  21. 21.⏱️ Vihaan’s welcome speech has 420 words. At 140 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  22. 22.⏱️ Ishaan speaks at 110 words a minute. How many words fit in a 1-minute class presentation?
  23. 23.⏱️ Arjun’s science fair talk has 260 words. At 130 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  24. 24.⏱️ Saanvi speaks at 120 words a minute. How many words fit in a 5-minute assembly talk?
  25. 25.🎙️ In a practice run, Meera said 260 words in 2 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  26. 26.⏱️ Nisha reads a 60-word competition speech at 120 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  27. 27.⏱️ Ananya’s welcome speech has 720 words. At 120 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  28. 28.⏱️ Meera speaks at 110 words a minute. How many words fit in a 3-minute debate speech?
  29. 29.✂️ Nisha’s welcome speech must fit in 3 minutes. Nisha speaks at 110 words a minute and has written 350 words. How many words must be cut?
  30. 30.⏱️ Kabir reads a 50-word debate speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  31. 31.⏱️ How many words can Nisha say in 1 and a half minutes at 120 words a minute?
  32. 32.✂️ Meera’s competition speech must fit in 4 minutes. Meera speaks at 140 words a minute and has written 620 words. How many words must be cut?
  33. 33.🎙️ In a practice run, Tara said 390 words in 3 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  34. 34.⏱️ Tara reads a 50-word class presentation at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  35. 35.⏱️ Aarav’s competition speech has 330 words. At 110 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  36. 36.⏱️ Tara speaks at 140 words a minute. How many words fit in a 2-minute competition speech?
  37. 37.⏱️ Diya reads a 300-word competition speech at 120 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  38. 38.✂️ Rohan’s science fair talk must fit in 1 minute. Rohan speaks at 130 words a minute and has written 190 words. How many words must be cut?
  39. 39.✂️ Tara’s assembly talk must fit in 1 minute. Tara speaks at 110 words a minute and has written 120 words. How many words must be cut?
  40. 40.⏸️ Pauses and audience laughter take time too. So your speech should be… (a) exactly at the limit (b) far over the limit (c) a little under the limit

Answer key

  1. 350
  2. 60
  3. 120–150 words a minute
  4. 350
  5. 130
  6. 180
  7. 30
  8. 150
  9. 80
  10. 180
  11. 120
  12. 400
  13. 600
  14. to fit the time limit
  15. 130
  16. 10
  17. 100
  18. 5
  19. 140
  20. cut the weakest part
  21. 3
  22. 110
  23. 2
  24. 600
  25. 130
  26. 30
  27. 6
  28. 330
  29. 20
  30. 30
  31. 180
  32. 60
  33. 130
  34. 30
  35. 3
  36. 280
  37. 150
  38. 60
  39. 10
  40. a little under the limit

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