Which is a rhetorical question?
1. Private Jones has fallen into the mud. He asks his friend:
Can you help me up? Why are you laughing? What is so funny?
The answer is B. Private Jones is saying that he does not think his accident is amusing.
2. Corporal Smith sees Private Jones. He asks:
Are you going for a bath? Why are you wearing your helmet? Is that my towel?
The answer is A. The corporal is using the question to start a conversation.
3. A terrified soldier comes running by. The Captain asks:
Is there a problem? What are you running from? Why don't you slow down?
The answer is A. The captian is really asking what the problem is.
4. Private Wilson has been given a motorbike for his birthday. His girlfriend asks:
Can you drive it? Do you like it? Why are you shouting?
The answer is B. The girlfriend is really asaying 'Calm down and talk to me.'
5. Corporal Jones is doing his socks. A friend asks:
Do they smell? Are they your socks? What made them so smelly?
The answer is A. The friend is starting a conversation
6. Corporal Smith asks Private Jones:
Do you see these? Why are you angry? Can't you do as I say?
The answer is A. This is a way of saying 'I am the corporal - so you have to do as I say'.
7. The sentry asks another soldier:
What is that? Do you see that? Is it aliens?
The answer is B. The sentry is really saying 'We need to do something!'
8. The Captain asks:
Why are you doing that? What do you think you are doing? Should you do that?
The answer is B. This is the usual way to tell someone they are doing something wrong.
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
The Past
Crime
