I personally think #2 is quite important: it proves the employer knows why they're employing you, and that they have thought about the scope for career growth i

I personally think #2 is quite important: it proves the employer knows why they're employing you, and that they have thought about the scope for career growth in the role. If the employer hasn't got a clear idea of why they're employing you, then your role becomes an amorphous "do whatever I want done" job, that won't necessarily meaningfully contribute to your skills or remain interesting. If the employer hasn't thought about the scope for career growth in your role, then that -- to me -- shows they don't value their staff enough to care about whether they get anything more than a salary out of the job. I think it's a little strangely phrased (sounds a bit obsequious), but I think it's a valid and important question.