Question

John is traveling north at 20 meters/second
and his friend Betty is traveling south at 20 meters/second. If north is the positive direction, what are John and Betty's speeds?

Answer 1

Each have speed 20 m/s

Answer 2

I think there is an unintended confusion between speed and velocity here.

Since the question refers to a 'positive direction' I would assume that it means John's velocity is 20 m/s in a positive direction (North)

In this case Betty's velocity is -20m/s.

It is strictly true that their speeds ARE both 20 m/s but my guess is that the question intends you to also consider the direction, i.e. +20 and -20