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Public Speaking Worksheet: Speech Timing

Public speaking lesson 15: Timing a speech (words per minute) · Set 524 · 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.⏱️ 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
  2. 2.⏱️ Nisha reads a 120-word assembly talk at 120 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  3. 3.🎙️ In a practice run, Nisha said 420 words in 3 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  4. 4.⏱️ Rohan’s competition speech has 750 words. At 150 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  5. 5.🎙️ In a practice run, Ishaan said 360 words in 3 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  6. 6.⏱️ Kabir’s debate speech has 560 words. At 140 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  7. 7.🎙️ In a practice run, Nisha said 750 words in 5 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  8. 8.⏱️ Aarav speaks at 100 words a minute. How many words fit in a 1-minute class presentation?
  9. 9.⏱️ Tara speaks at 140 words a minute. How many words fit in a 1-minute assembly talk?
  10. 10.⏱️ Saanvi reads a 240-word competition speech at 120 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  11. 11.🎙️ In a practice run, Diya said 240 words in 2 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  12. 12.⏱️ Saanvi speaks at 100 words a minute. How many words fit in a 1-minute debate speech?
  13. 13.🎙️ In a practice run, Vihaan said 600 words in 5 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  14. 14.✂️ Diya’s competition speech must fit in 1 minute. Diya speaks at 110 words a minute and has written 120 words. How many words must be cut?
  15. 15.⏱️ Tara’s science fair talk has 750 words. At 150 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  16. 16.⏱️ Ananya’s science fair talk has 660 words. At 110 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  17. 17.⏱️ Tara reads a 150-word debate speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  18. 18.⏱️ Ananya reads a 60-word competition speech at 120 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  19. 19.⏱️ Meera reads a 375-word competition speech at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  20. 20.🐢 Which is a comfortable speaking pace for most speeches? (a) 20–30 words a minute (b) 120–150 words a minute (c) 300–400 words a minute
  21. 21.⏱️ Nisha’s welcome speech has 220 words. At 110 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  22. 22.⏱️ Rohan’s assembly talk has 650 words. At 130 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  23. 23.⏱️ Kabir’s debate speech has 400 words. At 100 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  24. 24.🎙️ In a practice run, Meera said 500 words in 5 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  25. 25.⏱️ How many words can Kabir say in 3 and a half minutes at 100 words a minute?
  26. 26.⏱️ How many words can Ananya say in 3 and a half minutes at 120 words a minute?
  27. 27.⏱️ Tara’s assembly talk has 520 words. At 130 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  28. 28.⏱️ Saanvi reads a 200-word debate speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  29. 29.🎙️ In a practice run, Ishaan said 450 words in 3 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  30. 30.✂️ Your speech is too long for the time limit. What should you do? (a) speak super fast (b) skip the ending (c) cut the weakest part (d) ignore the limit
  31. 31.⏱️ Aarav speaks at 120 words a minute. How many words fit in a 5-minute debate speech?
  32. 32.⏱️ How many words can Aarav say in 2 and a half minutes at 100 words a minute?
  33. 33.⏱️ How many words can Arjun say in 1 and a half minutes at 120 words a minute?
  34. 34.⏱️ Tara speaks at 120 words a minute. How many words fit in a 2-minute science fair talk?
  35. 35.⏸️ 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
  36. 36.🎙️ In a practice run, Saanvi said 200 words in 2 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  37. 37.✂️ Ishaan’s debate speech must fit in 1 minute. Ishaan speaks at 120 words a minute and has written 180 words. How many words must be cut?
  38. 38.⏱️ Tara speaks at 140 words a minute. How many words fit in a 5-minute debate speech?
  39. 39.✂️ Diya’s welcome speech must fit in 2 minutes. Diya speaks at 150 words a minute and has written 310 words. How many words must be cut?
  40. 40.⏱️ Saanvi speaks at 140 words a minute. How many words fit in a 4-minute class presentation?

Answer key

  1. to fit the time limit
  2. 60
  3. 140
  4. 5
  5. 120
  6. 4
  7. 150
  8. 100
  9. 140
  10. 120
  11. 120
  12. 100
  13. 120
  14. 10
  15. 5
  16. 6
  17. 90
  18. 30
  19. 150
  20. 120–150 words a minute
  21. 2
  22. 5
  23. 4
  24. 100
  25. 350
  26. 420
  27. 4
  28. 120
  29. 150
  30. cut the weakest part
  31. 600
  32. 250
  33. 180
  34. 240
  35. a little under the limit
  36. 100
  37. 60
  38. 700
  39. 10
  40. 560

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