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Public Speaking Worksheet: Speech Timing

Public speaking lesson 15: Timing a speech (words per minute) · Set 382 · 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.🐢 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
  2. 2.⏱️ Arjun’s welcome speech has 650 words. At 130 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  3. 3.🎙️ In a practice run, Vihaan said 330 words in 3 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  4. 4.🎙️ In a practice run, Vihaan said 440 words in 4 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  5. 5.⏱️ Kabir reads a 100-word debate speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  6. 6.⏱️ Nisha reads a 75-word competition speech at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  7. 7.⏱️ Arjun reads a 250-word class presentation at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  8. 8.⏱️ Arjun speaks at 150 words a minute. How many words fit in a 1-minute competition speech?
  9. 9.🎙️ In a practice run, Arjun said 560 words in 4 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  10. 10.⏱️ Rohan speaks at 140 words a minute. How many words fit in a 4-minute debate speech?
  11. 11.⏱️ Rohan’s class presentation has 600 words. At 100 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  12. 12.🎙️ In a practice run, Ishaan said 480 words in 4 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  13. 13.⏱️ Vihaan reads a 60-word competition speech at 120 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  14. 14.🎙️ In a practice run, Nisha said 550 words in 5 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  15. 15.⏱️ Rohan speaks at 150 words a minute. How many words fit in a 3-minute competition speech?
  16. 16.✂️ Tara’s welcome speech must fit in 4 minutes. Tara speaks at 100 words a minute and has written 450 words. How many words must be cut?
  17. 17.⏱️ Kabir speaks at 130 words a minute. How many words fit in a 5-minute competition speech?
  18. 18.🎙️ In a practice run, Tara said 330 words in 3 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  19. 19.⏱️ Why should you time your speech when you practise? (a) to tire yourself (b) to speak faster (c) to skip the ending (d) to fit the time limit
  20. 20.✂️ Aarav’s class presentation must fit in 1 minute. Aarav speaks at 140 words a minute and has written 160 words. How many words must be cut?
  21. 21.⏱️ Kabir reads a 75-word class presentation at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  22. 22.⏱️ Tara reads a 300-word debate speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  23. 23.🎙️ In a practice run, Arjun said 300 words in 2 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  24. 24.⏱️ How many words can Arjun say in 3 and a half minutes at 100 words a minute?
  25. 25.⏸️ 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
  26. 26.✂️ Saanvi’s class presentation must fit in 4 minutes. Saanvi speaks at 120 words a minute and has written 490 words. How many words must be cut?
  27. 27.⏱️ Rohan reads a 120-word class presentation at 120 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  28. 28.⏱️ How many words can Vihaan say in 3 and a half minutes at 120 words a minute?
  29. 29.⏱️ Meera’s assembly talk has 450 words. At 150 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  30. 30.⏱️ Rohan speaks at 150 words a minute. How many words fit in a 3-minute debate speech?
  31. 31.✂️ Meera’s welcome speech must fit in 1 minute. Meera speaks at 100 words a minute and has written 160 words. How many words must be cut?
  32. 32.⏱️ Saanvi speaks at 130 words a minute. How many words fit in a 4-minute competition speech?
  33. 33.⏱️ How many words can Tara say in 2 and a half minutes at 120 words a minute?
  34. 34.✂️ Your speech is too long for the time limit. What should you do? (a) ignore the limit (b) cut the weakest part (c) skip the ending (d) speak super fast
  35. 35.✂️ Kabir’s assembly talk must fit in 4 minutes. Kabir speaks at 120 words a minute and has written 520 words. How many words must be cut?
  36. 36.⏱️ Aarav speaks at 110 words a minute. How many words fit in a 2-minute assembly talk?
  37. 37.⏱️ Aarav speaks at 140 words a minute. How many words fit in a 4-minute science fair talk?
  38. 38.⏱️ Rohan speaks at 130 words a minute. How many words fit in a 5-minute welcome speech?
  39. 39.⏱️ Tara’s competition speech has 900 words. At 150 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  40. 40.🎙️ In a practice run, Tara said 500 words in 5 minutes. How many words a minute is that?

Answer key

  1. 120–150 words a minute
  2. 5
  3. 110
  4. 110
  5. 60
  6. 30
  7. 150
  8. 150
  9. 140
  10. 560
  11. 6
  12. 120
  13. 30
  14. 110
  15. 450
  16. 50
  17. 650
  18. 110
  19. to fit the time limit
  20. 20
  21. 30
  22. 180
  23. 150
  24. 350
  25. a little under the limit
  26. 10
  27. 60
  28. 420
  29. 3
  30. 450
  31. 60
  32. 520
  33. 300
  34. cut the weakest part
  35. 40
  36. 220
  37. 560
  38. 650
  39. 6
  40. 100

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