What kind of questions should you ask? For Impromptu speeches. In life.

Many schools and universities have debating socieities or Toastmasters International clubs. The latter are holding contest online now and through the summer, culminating in the grand international contest, held this year in Paris. You can see previous years' contest winners online on Youtube.

My experience is that if you ask practical questions, you are more likely to get useful answers. You will get a practical answer if you ask, Would you invest in property now, why or why not?
You could ask another question such as, "Would you recommend starting your day with doing exercise or checking your bank balance and stocks and shares. Why?"

If you ask abstract questions, such as, "Which is better health or wealth,  You often get waffling answers. Beginners don't know where to start. Some people run out of ideas half way.

Yes or no questions in real life are known as closed questions. The other person answers yes or no and does not continue. An open ended question gets a longer reply.
 However, a beginner might find it easy to answer the yes no question and then continue.

So a table topic of impromptu speech contest could start with, Do you agree with capital punishment or not. Expalin why.

Useful Websites
Toastmasters International Find a Club

About the Author
Angela Lansbury is president of Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters club. Meeting the first wednesday evening and third Saturday afternoon.

Get a receipt which states whether you have real jade, amber, opal or synthetic stone

I love elephants, national symbol of Thailand and probably some other places. Jade in stronger colours is more prized than the paler wishy-washy colours. In Asia, Singapore, and countries such as Thailand, Nepal, Cambodia, like London shops and markets, you often see trinkets and Jewellery with stones. I like green jade, green, orange and yellow amber, and multicoloured opals.
    At a trip to Hay-on-Wye in Wales, I went into a jewellery shop which had second hand jewellery in the window including opals in silver. I bought a bracelet at what I thought was a good price. I asked for a receipt. When I received the receipt, I was disappointed to see that although the silver was listed as 925, not silver plate, I had just been sold synthetic opals.  
   Watch out for stalls, even those which have a proper shop elsewhere, if they don't want to give you a receipt. I carry my own receipt book. For insurance purposes, you need a receipt. To guard against loss and theft. Once I had my bag stolen in Spain. It was a leather bag and had nothing of great value, I thought. But the replacement cost of everything from a swimsuit at £40, to a lipstick at £10, a diary at £5, soon added up to well over £100.
    So, to avoid regrets and worries later, for peace of mind when buying jewellery with stones of jade, amber, or opal, check you are getting the real stone and not a coloured synthetic. Synthetics can be cheaper, and look very effective. You might prefer costume jewellery when travelling. So it's often just as good. But for a special gift, or if you are buying as an investment, just ask the seller causally,      
    Which pieces are synthetic with silver plate and which are real stones and 925 silver or sterling silver. I usually ask about the real silver or the quality of gold and silver first, then about the gemstones. I try to be friendly with the seller and explain what I want. It could be, 'I don't mind synthetics. I just want something as a souvenir, a cheap gift.' Or it could be, 'I want metal and stones of value for mother's birthday, but also just a synthetic for when I'm travelling'. If you are buying a proper stone for lots of money, the shop in Asia might give you a synthetic stone piece as a gift in addition.
    The seller wants a happy customer, a returning customer, and recommendations, and more business. Ask, chat, say what you want, ask what you are getting. Why not - keep everybody informed and happy.