Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition Practice Exam

What is the purpose of a rhetorical question?

1. To confuse readers

2. To seek an answer from the audience

3. To emphasize a point without expecting a response

4. To introduce a new topic in the conversation

The correct answer is: To emphasize a point without expecting a response

The purpose of a rhetorical question is to emphasize a point without expecting a response. By posing a question that does not require an answer, the speaker or writer invites the audience to engage with the underlying idea being communicated. This technique can provoke thought, highlight a particular perspective, or reinforce an argument. Rhetorical questions often encourage the audience to consider their own beliefs or to recognize the obviousness of a situation, thus effectively underlining the speaker's message. In contrast to the other options, rhetorical questions do not aim to confuse readers or serve as a means for seeking an answer from the audience. They also do not function to introduce new topics, as their primary role is to enhance the clarity or impact of the existing argument rather than shift the focus of discussion.