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Public Speaking Worksheet: Speech Timing

Public speaking lesson 15: Timing a speech (words per minute) · Set 936 · 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.⏱️ Aarav reads a 150-word competition speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  2. 2.⏱️ Saanvi reads a 375-word competition speech at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  3. 3.⏱️ Vihaan reads a 150-word science fair talk at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  4. 4.✂️ 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
  5. 5.⏱️ Tara reads a 240-word science fair talk at 120 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  6. 6.🎙️ In a practice run, Arjun said 560 words in 4 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  7. 7.⏱️ 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
  8. 8.⏱️ How many words can Vihaan say in 1 and a half minutes at 140 words a minute?
  9. 9.✂️ Ananya’s debate speech must fit in 2 minutes. Ananya speaks at 140 words a minute and has written 360 words. How many words must be cut?
  10. 10.✂️ Tara’s welcome speech must fit in 2 minutes. Tara speaks at 140 words a minute and has written 350 words. How many words must be cut?
  11. 11.⏱️ Nisha reads a 300-word debate speech at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  12. 12.⏱️ Saanvi reads a 225-word debate speech at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  13. 13.⏱️ How many words can Ananya say in 2 and a half minutes at 140 words a minute?
  14. 14.⏱️ Tara’s competition speech has 840 words. At 140 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  15. 15.⏱️ Vihaan reads a 50-word welcome speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  16. 16.⏸️ Pauses and audience laughter take time too. So your speech should be… (a) a little under the limit (b) exactly at the limit (c) far over the limit
  17. 17.🐢 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
  18. 18.⏱️ Tara speaks at 140 words a minute. How many words fit in a 1-minute debate speech?
  19. 19.⏱️ Rohan’s science fair talk has 660 words. At 110 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  20. 20.⏱️ Ananya’s class presentation has 520 words. At 130 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  21. 21.✂️ Arjun’s assembly talk must fit in 1 minute. Arjun speaks at 110 words a minute and has written 190 words. How many words must be cut?
  22. 22.⏱️ Ananya’s class presentation has 900 words. At 150 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  23. 23.⏱️ Aarav’s science fair talk has 400 words. At 100 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  24. 24.⏱️ Rohan speaks at 100 words a minute. How many words fit in a 1-minute welcome speech?
  25. 25.⏱️ Aarav’s welcome speech has 260 words. At 130 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  26. 26.🎙️ In a practice run, Diya said 200 words in 2 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  27. 27.⏱️ Nisha’s science fair talk has 280 words. At 140 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  28. 28.⏱️ How many words can Aarav say in 3 and a half minutes at 140 words a minute?
  29. 29.⏱️ Ananya’s class presentation has 700 words. At 140 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  30. 30.⏱️ How many words can Arjun say in 3 and a half minutes at 140 words a minute?
  31. 31.🎙️ In a practice run, Diya said 300 words in 2 minutes. How many words a minute is that?
  32. 32.⏱️ Vihaan’s competition speech has 300 words. At 150 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  33. 33.⏱️ Nisha’s welcome speech has 220 words. At 110 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  34. 34.⏱️ Meera’s debate speech has 750 words. At 150 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  35. 35.⏱️ Aarav reads a 75-word assembly talk at 150 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?
  36. 36.⏱️ Rohan speaks at 110 words a minute. How many words fit in a 3-minute competition speech?
  37. 37.⏱️ Nisha’s debate speech has 220 words. At 110 words a minute, how many minutes will it take?
  38. 38.⏱️ Tara speaks at 140 words a minute. How many words fit in a 4-minute assembly talk?
  39. 39.⏱️ Ananya speaks at 110 words a minute. How many words fit in a 5-minute science fair talk?
  40. 40.⏱️ Vihaan reads a 100-word welcome speech at 100 words a minute. How many seconds does it take?

Answer key

  1. 90
  2. 150
  3. 90
  4. cut the weakest part
  5. 120
  6. 140
  7. to fit the time limit
  8. 210
  9. 80
  10. 70
  11. 120
  12. 90
  13. 350
  14. 6
  15. 30
  16. a little under the limit
  17. 120–150 words a minute
  18. 140
  19. 6
  20. 4
  21. 80
  22. 6
  23. 4
  24. 100
  25. 2
  26. 100
  27. 2
  28. 490
  29. 5
  30. 490
  31. 150
  32. 2
  33. 2
  34. 5
  35. 30
  36. 330
  37. 2
  38. 560
  39. 550
  40. 60

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