Speech club practice

Table Topics questions

Table Topics are short answers to a question you hear on the spot. Spin for a question, press Talk about this, and speak for one minute.

Last updated 3 November 2026

Sample topics

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What are Table Topics?

Table Topics is the impromptu part of a Toastmasters meeting. The Topicsmaster asks a question, calls on someone, and that person answers on the spot.

Answers usually run one to two minutes. The point isn't to be clever. It's to think on your feet, give a clear answer and finish on time.

Table Topics is a Toastmasters International term. StageMinute isn't connected with Toastmasters. The questions below are our own, for anyone who wants to practise.

How to answer a Table Topics question

1
Buy a second.
Repeat or rephrase the question while you pick one idea.
2
Use PREP.
Point, Reason, Example, Point. Say your idea, why, one example, then your idea again.
3
Land it.
When the light or the ring changes, go to your closing line and stop.

A sample Table Topics answer

Sample answer

Topic: What would you do with an extra hour every day?

Point: If I got an extra hour every day, I'd spend it walking, with no phone.
Reason: Most of my day is screens and noise. A quiet hour is where I do my best thinking.
Example: Last spring I walked home from work for a month instead of taking the bus. I solved two problems on those walks that I'd been stuck on for weeks.
Point: So my extra hour isn't for doing more. It's for thinking better. I'd walk.

80 Table Topics questions

Easy Table Topics questions

What is the best part of your day?
What did you want to be as a child?
What's the best gift you ever received?
What food could you eat every day?
What's your favourite way to spend a Sunday?
Which season suits you best, and why?
What small thing always makes you happy?
What's the best advice you ever got?
What would your perfect weekend look like?
Which app could you not live without?

Funny Table Topics

If your pet could talk, what would it say?
What would you do if you woke up famous?
Which cartoon character are you most like?
If you could ban one word, which would it be?
What's the worst haircut you ever had?
If you ran a restaurant, what would it serve?
What would your superpower be, and why?
If your life had a theme song, what is it?
What would you name a boat?
Which household chore would you abolish?

Table Topics about work

What makes a great boss?
What's the best job you ever had?
Should meetings have a time limit?
What skill should everyone on a team have?
Is working from home here to stay?
What's one thing you'd change at work?
How do you get through a busy week?
What makes a good team?
What's the most useful thing work taught you?
Would you rather lead or follow?

Would you rather questions

Would you rather live by the sea or the hills?
Would you rather read minds or see the future?
Would you rather travel back or forward in time?
Would you rather have more time or more money?
Would you rather cook or clean?
Would you rather give up coffee or chocolate?
Would you rather teach or learn forever?
Would you rather work alone or in a team?
Would you rather live without music or films?
Would you rather explore space or the ocean?

Story Table Topics

Tell us about a time you got lost
Describe a teacher who changed your mind
Tell us about your first job
Describe a trip that didn't go to plan
Tell us about a time you were brave
Describe a meal you'll never forget
Tell us about a time you couldn't stop laughing
Describe a moment you felt proud
Tell us about a kind stranger
Describe the best day of your past year

Opinion Table Topics

Should voting be compulsory?
Is it ever OK to break a promise?
Should schools teach money skills?
Are we too busy to be bored?
Is it better to be liked or respected?
Should cities ban cars from the centre?
Is technology making us lonelier?
Should everyone learn a second language?
Is it better to rent or own a home?
Should tipping be replaced by fair wages?

Holiday and season Table Topics

What's your favourite holiday tradition?
Summer or winter, and why?
What would you do on a snow day?
What's the best way to start a new year?
What are you thankful for this year?
What's the best holiday gift you've given?
How do you spend a long weekend?
What does spring make you want to do?
Which festival would you love to see in person?
What tradition would you like to start?

Deeper Table Topics

What does success mean to you?
What would you tell your younger self?
What's a belief you've changed your mind on?
Who do you most admire, and why?
What does a good life look like?
What would you do if you couldn't fail?
What do you want to be known for?
What's a fear you've overcome?
What's the hardest lesson you've learned?
What do you want to learn next?

Want a different round? Try Impromptu speech topics or Speech timer.

Common Table Topics mistakes

Answering a different question.
It's fine to bend the question a little, but say how your answer connects to it.
Apologising before you start.
Skip “I'm not sure what to say.” Start with your answer.
Padding to fill the time.
A clear, short answer beats a long ramble. Stop when your point is made.
Ending with “So, yeah.”
Plan your last line: say your point again, then stop.

Questions

How long is a Table Topics answer?

Usually one to two minutes. In many clubs a green light shows at one minute, yellow at one and a half, and red at two.

What is a Topicsmaster?

The person who runs Table Topics in a meeting. They pick a theme, ask the questions and call on speakers.

How do I get better at Table Topics?

Practise answering random questions out loud. A simple structure like PREP keeps you on track when you're nervous.

Can I use these questions in my club?

Yes. They're free to use for practice in your club, class or team meeting.

Is StageMinute part of Toastmasters?

No. We're a separate speaking-practice app, and these questions are our own.

What is StageMinute?

A speaking-practice app coming soon to Android. You spin a topic, speak for up to a minute, and get a report with a score and one thing to fix.