← Timing a speech (words per minute) lesson New set →

Public Speaking Worksheet: Speech Timing

Public speaking lesson 15: Timing a speech (words per minute) · Set 839 · 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) 120–150 words a minute (c) 20–30 words a minute
  2. 2.⏱️ Aarav’s assembly talk has 390 words. At 130 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  3. 3.⏱️ Ananya’s class presentation has 360 words. At 120 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  4. 4.⏱️ Saanvi reads a 150-word welcome speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  5. 5.⏱️ Nisha speaks at 110 words a minute. How many words fit in a 5-minute competition speech?
  6. 6.⏱️ Vihaan’s class presentation has 700 words. At 140 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  7. 7.⏱️ Vihaan reads a 180-word competition speech at 120 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  8. 8.⏱️ Saanvi reads a 150-word debate speech at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  9. 9.✂️ Vihaan’s assembly talk must fit in 1 minute. Vihaan speaks at 150 words a minute and has written 170 words. How many words must be cut?
  10. 10.⏱️ How many words can Vihaan say in 3 and a half minutes at 100 words a minute?
  11. 11.⏱️ How many words can Meera say in 3 and a half minutes at 120 words a minute?
  12. 12.⏱️ Ananya reads a 100-word debate speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  13. 13.⏱️ Why should you time your speech when you practise? (a) to fit the time limit (b) to tire yourself (c) to skip the ending (d) to speak faster
  14. 14.⏱️ Meera reads a 50-word debate speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  15. 15.⏱️ Ananya speaks at 140 words a minute. How many words fit in a 4-minute assembly talk?
  16. 16.⏸️ 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
  17. 17.⏱️ How many words can Nisha say in 3 and a half minutes at 120 words a minute?
  18. 18.✂️ Meera’s assembly talk must fit in 2 minutes. Meera speaks at 110 words a minute and has written 260 words. How many words must be cut?
  19. 19.🎙️ In a practice run, Kabir said 400 words in 4 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  20. 20.⏱️ Aarav speaks at 110 words a minute. How many words fit in a 5-minute class presentation?
  21. 21.⏱️ Rohan reads a 50-word welcome speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  22. 22.⏱️ How many words can Ananya say in 3 and a half minutes at 120 words a minute?
  23. 23.⏱️ Saanvi’s debate speech has 330 words. At 110 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  24. 24.⏱️ Arjun’s assembly talk has 260 words. At 130 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  25. 25.⏱️ Vihaan’s assembly talk has 500 words. At 100 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  26. 26.⏱️ Arjun reads a 150-word competition speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  27. 27.🎙️ In a practice run, Meera said 750 words in 5 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  28. 28.✂️ Kabir’s science fair talk must fit in 3 minutes. Kabir speaks at 140 words a minute and has written 430 words. How many words must be cut?
  29. 29.⏱️ Ananya reads a 150-word competition speech at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  30. 30.⏱️ How many words can Meera say in 2 and a half minutes at 140 words a minute?
  31. 31.⏱️ Kabir reads a 300-word assembly talk at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  32. 32.⏱️ How many words can Ananya say in 1 and a half minutes at 140 words a minute?
  33. 33.⏱️ Saanvi reads a 120-word assembly talk at 120 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  34. 34.⏱️ Meera’s competition speech has 720 words. At 120 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  35. 35.⏱️ Tara reads a 450-word assembly talk at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  36. 36.🎙️ In a practice run, Tara said 550 words in 5 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  37. 37.⏱️ Meera speaks at 130 words a minute. How many words fit in a 2-minute competition speech?
  38. 38.✂️ Tara’s debate speech must fit in 4 minutes. Tara speaks at 110 words a minute and has written 480 words. How many words must be cut?
  39. 39.✂️ Aarav’s assembly talk must fit in 1 minute. Aarav speaks at 130 words a minute and has written 160 words. How many words must be cut?
  40. 40.⏱️ Arjun’s competition speech has 220 words. At 110 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?

Answer key

  1. 120–150 words a minute
  2. 3
  3. 3
  4. 90
  5. 550
  6. 5
  7. 90
  8. 60
  9. 20
  10. 350
  11. 420
  12. 60
  13. to fit the time limit
  14. 30
  15. 560
  16. a little under the limit
  17. 420
  18. 40
  19. 100
  20. 550
  21. 30
  22. 420
  23. 3
  24. 2
  25. 5
  26. 90
  27. 150
  28. 10
  29. 60
  30. 350
  31. 120
  32. 210
  33. 60
  34. 6
  35. 180
  36. 110
  37. 260
  38. 40
  39. 30
  40. 2

Free public speaking lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/public-speaking-for-kids