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Public Speaking Worksheet: Speech Timing

Public speaking lesson 15: Timing a speech (words per minute) · Set 34 · 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 Meera say in 3 and a half minutes at 140 words a minute?
  2. 2.⏱️ Nisha’s debate speech has 440 words. At 110 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  3. 3.⏱️ Diya’s debate speech has 200 words. At 100 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  4. 4.⏱️ Tara’s class presentation has 780 words. At 130 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  5. 5.⏱️ Aarav reads a 200-word competition speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  6. 6.🎙️ In a practice run, Aarav said 400 words in 4 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  7. 7.⏸️ Pauses and audience laughter take time too. So your speech should be… (a) exactly at the limit (b) a little under the limit (c) far over the limit
  8. 8.⏱️ Why should you time your speech when you practise? (a) to fit the time limit (b) to tire yourself (c) to speak faster (d) to skip the ending
  9. 9.⏱️ Kabir’s assembly talk has 560 words. At 140 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  10. 10.⏱️ How many words can Kabir say in 2 and a half minutes at 120 words a minute?
  11. 11.🎙️ In a practice run, Kabir said 300 words in 3 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  12. 12.⏱️ Meera reads a 360-word debate speech at 120 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  13. 13.✂️ Saanvi’s competition speech must fit in 3 minutes. Saanvi speaks at 110 words a minute and has written 340 words. How many words must be cut?
  14. 14.⏱️ Arjun speaks at 130 words a minute. How many words fit in a 4-minute assembly talk?
  15. 15.🐢 Which is a comfortable speaking pace for most speeches? (a) 120–150 words a minute (b) 20–30 words a minute (c) 300–400 words a minute
  16. 16.⏱️ Tara’s competition speech has 220 words. At 110 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  17. 17.⏱️ Ishaan reads a 60-word assembly talk at 120 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  18. 18.⏱️ How many words can Rohan say in 2 and a half minutes at 120 words a minute?
  19. 19.✂️ Arjun’s debate speech must fit in 3 minutes. Arjun speaks at 110 words a minute and has written 360 words. How many words must be cut?
  20. 20.⏱️ How many words can Aarav say in 1 and a half minutes at 100 words a minute?
  21. 21.🎙️ In a practice run, Diya said 200 words in 2 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  22. 22.✂️ Rohan’s assembly talk must fit in 3 minutes. Rohan speaks at 150 words a minute and has written 500 words. How many words must be cut?
  23. 23.⏱️ How many words can Tara say in 1 and a half minutes at 100 words a minute?
  24. 24.✂️ Your speech is too long for the time limit. What should you do? (a) ignore the limit (b) speak super fast (c) cut the weakest part (d) skip the ending
  25. 25.🎙️ In a practice run, Saanvi said 480 words in 4 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  26. 26.✂️ Meera’s welcome speech must fit in 1 minute. Meera speaks at 120 words a minute and has written 170 words. How many words must be cut?
  27. 27.⏱️ Meera reads a 375-word assembly talk at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  28. 28.⏱️ Nisha speaks at 130 words a minute. How many words fit in a 5-minute welcome speech?
  29. 29.⏱️ Diya reads a 150-word science fair talk at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  30. 30.⏱️ How many words can Ananya say in 1 and a half minutes at 100 words a minute?
  31. 31.🎙️ In a practice run, Arjun said 280 words in 2 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  32. 32.⏱️ How many words can Meera say in 1 and a half minutes at 100 words a minute?
  33. 33.⏱️ How many words can Ishaan say in 1 and a half minutes at 120 words a minute?
  34. 34.⏱️ Ishaan’s assembly talk has 660 words. At 110 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  35. 35.⏱️ Nisha reads a 200-word competition speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  36. 36.✂️ Saanvi’s science fair talk must fit in 1 minute. Saanvi speaks at 100 words a minute and has written 110 words. How many words must be cut?
  37. 37.⏱️ Aarav’s assembly talk has 400 words. At 100 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  38. 38.🎙️ In a practice run, Arjun said 360 words in 3 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  39. 39.✂️ Kabir’s welcome speech must fit in 4 minutes. Kabir speaks at 100 words a minute and has written 470 words. How many words must be cut?
  40. 40.⏱️ How many words can Nisha say in 2 and a half minutes at 100 words a minute?

Answer key

  1. 490
  2. 4
  3. 2
  4. 6
  5. 120
  6. 100
  7. a little under the limit
  8. to fit the time limit
  9. 4
  10. 300
  11. 100
  12. 180
  13. 10
  14. 520
  15. 120–150 words a minute
  16. 2
  17. 30
  18. 300
  19. 30
  20. 150
  21. 100
  22. 50
  23. 150
  24. cut the weakest part
  25. 120
  26. 50
  27. 150
  28. 650
  29. 60
  30. 150
  31. 140
  32. 150
  33. 180
  34. 6
  35. 120
  36. 10
  37. 4
  38. 120
  39. 70
  40. 250

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