KS3 Rhetorical Questions | Learn when to Use them for Effect

English Quiz - Rhetorical Questions 01 (Questions)

Rhetorical questions expect no answer. They are often used in articles and if you read the newspaper, you'll see them a lot. Use them to grab and hold your readers' attention as you write.

Rhetorical questions are used so frequently that it is easy not to notice them at all. But in many cases, the concept has had to be explained in childhood. For example, a teacher might say to someone whispering in class: "Do you have something you'd like to share with everybody?" Most people understand that this is a rhetorical question. The person to whom it is addressed is meant to think for a moment about the fact that they wouldn't want to tell everyone what they were whispering about and to keep quiet instead. Sometimes people don't understand the difference between rhetorical questions and questions which do expect a response. If someone were to answer the teacher's question with a yes and an explanation, the teacher is likely to explain that the question was rhetorical and what that means (on the other hand, the teacher might think the response to be not so much a misunderstanding as a deliberate attempt to sidetrack the class).

You can use rhetorical questions in many ways to engage with your audience. Pay attention to the variety of methods and purposes of using this device.

Test your knowledge of rhetorical questions in this quiz on the subject.

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Environment

[ ]	Earth's resources are being wasted
[ ]	They waste earth's resources
[ ]	We are wasting earth's resources
[ ]	When will we stop wasting earth's resources

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Life's trials.

[ ]	Life is a constant trial
[ ]	Oh dear
[ ]	Why me
[ ]	Woe is me

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Managing a company.

[ ]	Improve your output now
[ ]	Who can say if you'll be able to improve your output
[ ]	You must improve your output
[ ]	Your output is being improved

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Changing a speed limit.

[ ]	Cars crash on that road
[ ]	Cars travel too fast on that road
[ ]	How many more cars will crash on that road
[ ]	That road is the scene of many car crashes

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Wondering at technological advances.

[ ]	It is incredible that man has landed on the moon
[ ]	Man has landed on the moon - incredible
[ ]	We thought that man would land on the moon
[ ]	Who would have thought that man would land on the moon

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Thinking about possible future scientific advances.

[ ]	Curing diseases might become possible
[ ]	Diseases might become curable
[ ]	We might be able to cure diseases
[ ]	Who can tell which diseases might become curable

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Thinking about an impossibility.

[ ]	Are you joking
[ ]	It is a joke
[ ]	It's a joke; it can't really happen
[ ]	What a joke

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Thinking about current affairs.

[ ]	End world poverty
[ ]	Poverty in the world must end
[ ]	The world must end poverty
[ ]	Who knows when poverty in the world will end

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Discouraging smoking.

[ ]	Don't smoke please
[ ]	How many times must I tell you to stop
[ ]	Stop smoking
[ ]	You must stop smoking please

10.

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Detective novels.

[ ]	Become a detective
[ ]	Find the villain
[ ]	Follow the clues and solve the mystery
[ ]	Whodunnit

English Quiz - Rhetorical Questions 01 (Answers)

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Environment

[ ]	Earth's resources are being wasted
[ ]	They waste earth's resources
[ ]	We are wasting earth's resources
[x]	When will we stop wasting earth's resources

The other three options are statements, requiring full stops at the end. "When will we stop wasting earth's resources?" would need a question mark, of course!

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Life's trials.

[ ]	Life is a constant trial
[ ]	Oh dear
[x]	Why me
[ ]	Woe is me

A rhetorical question uses a question mark: "Why me?"

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Managing a company.

[ ]	Improve your output now
[x]	Who can say if you'll be able to improve your output
[ ]	You must improve your output
[ ]	Your output is being improved

Interest your reader: use a rhetorical question to begin. The rhetorical question, "Who can say if you'll be able to improve your output?", invites your reader to continue reading in search of the answer

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Changing a speed limit.

[ ]	Cars crash on that road
[ ]	Cars travel too fast on that road
[x]	How many more cars will crash on that road
[ ]	That road is the scene of many car crashes

Rhetorical questions invite you to think about a solution or a possible answer

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Wondering at technological advances.

[ ]	It is incredible that man has landed on the moon
[ ]	Man has landed on the moon - incredible
[ ]	We thought that man would land on the moon
[x]	Who would have thought that man would land on the moon

You won't forget the question mark when writing rhetorical questions, will you?

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Thinking about possible future scientific advances.

[ ]	Curing diseases might become possible
[ ]	Diseases might become curable
[ ]	We might be able to cure diseases
[x]	Who can tell which diseases might become curable

Rhetorical questions often begin with: "Who can .......?"

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Thinking about an impossibility.

[x]	Are you joking
[ ]	It is a joke
[ ]	It's a joke; it can't really happen
[ ]	What a joke

Remember to use a question mark!

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Thinking about current affairs.

[ ]	End world poverty
[ ]	Poverty in the world must end
[ ]	The world must end poverty
[x]	Who knows when poverty in the world will end

"Who knows when .......?" is the rhetorical question

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Discouraging smoking.

[ ]	Don't smoke please
[x]	How many times must I tell you to stop
[ ]	Stop smoking
[ ]	You must stop smoking please

Rhetorical questions are not actually inviting an immediate answer

10.

Select a suitable rhetorical question to use when writing an article on the following topic.

Detective novels.

[ ]	Become a detective
[ ]	Find the villain
[ ]	Follow the clues and solve the mystery
[x]	Whodunnit

Trick question! "Whodunnit" is a noun created from the rhetorical question "Who done it?" Whodidit just wouldn't have the same ring to it, would it?