Rhetorical questions are asked without expectation of response; what else is true?

Rhetorical questions are asked without expectation of response; what else is true?

• A. They always require a response
• B. They use the raised eyebrows NMS only with the sign for question
• C. They are asked to confuse the listener
• D. They end with a smiling facial expression

Answer: (B)

Rhetorical questions are signed with facial grammar that signals question without expecting an answer. In ASL, raised eyebrows are a key nonmanual signal used to show a question, so when a rhetorical question is signed, the signer uses that brow raise as part of the question form. The idea that raised eyebrows occur specifically with the sign for question captures how ASL marks questioning attitude—you’re signaling a question, not making a declarative statement, and you’re not implying you want a real reply in this case. That’s why this option is the best fit. If you think about the other ideas: rhetorical questions do not require a response by design, so saying they always require one isn’t accurate. They aren’t primarily about confusing the listener, and they don’t typically end with a smile—the facial expression usually stays questioning or neutral rather than smiling.

Rhetorical questions are signed with facial grammar that signals question without expecting an answer. In ASL, raised eyebrows are a key nonmanual signal used to show a question, so when a rhetorical question is signed, the signer uses that brow raise as part of the question form. The idea that raised eyebrows occur specifically with the sign for question captures how ASL marks questioning attitude—you’re signaling a question, not making a declarative statement, and you’re not implying you want a real reply in this case. That’s why this option is the best fit.

If you think about the other ideas: rhetorical questions do not require a response by design, so saying they always require one isn’t accurate. They aren’t primarily about confusing the listener, and they don’t typically end with a smile—the facial expression usually stays questioning or neutral rather than smiling.