Worksheet on Rhetorical Questions - Purpose

English
Year 9
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

An analysis and annotation worksheet focusing on the purpose of rhetorical questions in texts, aimed at Year 9 students studying language techniques.

Worksheet Preview

Full preview • 8 questions

Worksheet on Rhetorical Questions - Purpose

Subject: EnglishGrade: Year 9
Name:
Date:
TeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizz

Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9
A

Understanding the Purpose of Rhetorical Questions

In his famous speech, Martin Luther King Jr. asks, 'When will we be able to sit at the table of brotherhood? When will justice roll down like waters? When will we be free at last?' These questions are not meant to be answered directly but are posed to emphasise the urgency of civil rights and to inspire action. They serve to make the audience reflect on the current injustices and motivate them towards change.
1.
Identify and explain the primary purpose of Martin Luther King Jr.'s rhetorical questions in the passage.
[2 marks]
2.
Annotate the passage to show where the rhetorical questions occur and suggest how they contribute to the overall message.
[4 marks]
3.
What effect do rhetorical questions generally have on the audience or reader? Choose the best option: a) They provide factual information. b) They make the audience think and feel motivated. c) They entertain with humorous questions. d) They clarify complex ideas.
[1 mark]
Aa) They provide factual information.
Bb) They make the audience think and feel motivated.
Cc) They entertain with humorous questions.
Dd) They clarify complex ideas.
4.
Analyse how the rhetorical questions in the passage help to build emotion and persuade the audience. Provide specific examples from the text.
[4 marks]
5.
Create your own short speech using at least two rhetorical questions to persuade your audience about an important issue.
[4 marks]
6.
Identify the literary device used in the phrase: 'justice roll down like waters.'
[1 mark]
7.
Explain how the repetition of 'When will...' in the questions affects the tone and message of the speech.
[2 marks]
8.
In your opinion, what is the most effective aspect of using rhetorical questions in speeches? Justify your answer with a brief explanation.
[2 marks]

Unlock Full Worksheet & Answers

Get instant access to the complete worksheet, answer keys, and 1,899 others

Unlimited answer keys for all worksheets
Download clean, formatted PDFs
Customize and remix any worksheet

Cancel anytime • No commitment • Start today

Quick Actions

What is Remix?

Create a new worksheet based on this one. Change the grade level, topic, number of questions, or difficulty - then generate a fresh version.

  • • Change grade level (Grade 6 → Grade 7)
  • • Swap topics (Harry Potter → Macbeth)
  • • Add more questions (10 → 15)
  • • Adjust difficulty

Details

Created
12/31/2025
Updated
12/31/2025
Type
worksheet