Does the question have to be in the form of a question? lol, ie is this a suitable "focus question":
"Make comparisons between the teachings of Mencius and Confucius and thus describe how the former has helped define Confucianism as it is known today."
"Make comparisons between the teachings of Mencius and Confucius and thus describe how the former has helped define Confucianism as it is known today."