Ohio 7th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) OST Practice Test

A rhetorical question is a question asked to make a point rather than to obtain information. Its purpose is to make the audience think or to emphasize something the speaker wants you to consider, often adding persuasion or emphasis without expecting an actual answer. For example, “Who hasn’t felt overwhelmed by this challenge?” invites reflection and agreement rather than a real response.

This fits the item because the focus is on the effect of the question—to persuade or highlight a point—not on gathering information. A leading question aims to push you toward a specific answer, which isn’t the goal here. A hypothetical question asks you to imagine a scenario that isn’t real, used for exploring possibilities. An interrogative sentence is any sentence that asks a question, which can seek information, not necessarily to make a point.