1. Revision: Practice Questions
An Inspector Calls
Each question is worth 30 marks
You should spend 45 minutes per question:
Introduction
3/4 x PEELA paragraphs
Conclusion

3. Higher Questions

4. Question 17 What do you think is the importance of Inspector Goole and how does Priestley present him?

5. Question 18 ‘An Inspector Calls is all about the use and misuse of power.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement?

6. Question 17 An Inspector Calls has been called ‘a play of contrasts’
Question 17 An Inspector Calls has been called ‘a play of contrasts’. Write about how Priestley presents some of the contrasts in the play.

7. Question 18 How does Priestley present the change in Sheila during the course of the play An Inspector Calls? How do you think this change reflects some of Priestley’s ideas?

8. Question 17 How does Priestley show that tension is at the heart of the Birling family?

9. Question 18 Remind yourself of the stage directions below from the start of Act 1 [from ‘The dining room...’ to ‘.....pleased with themselves.’] In the rest of the play, how does Priestley present and develop some of the ideas shown here?

10. Question 18 Priestley criticises the selfishness of people like the Birling's. What methods does he use to present this selfishness?

11. Question 17 Arthur Birling says, ‘If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?’ How does Priestley present ideas about responsibility in An Inspector Calls? Question 18 How do you respond to Gerald in An Inspector Calls? How does Priestley make you respond as you do by the ways he writes?

12. Question 17 What does Priestley want to teach through the character of the Inspector? Question 18 Read from p. 47: ‘MRS B: I’m sorry she should have come to such a horrible end. But I accept no blame for this at all’ to the end of Act Two. How does Priestley build the drama and tension in this extract?

13. Question 17 For which character in the play do you have the most sympathy? Look closely at how Priestley’s presentation of this character has created your sympathy for him or her.

14. Question 17 At the beginning of the play, Sheila is described as being ‘very pleased with life’. Show how and why her attitude changes as the play develops. Question 18 Of all the secrets the Inspector reveals about the Birling family and Gerald during his visit, which do you think is the most shocking for the audience, and why?

15. Foundation Questions

16. Question 17
How does Priestley present Arthur Birling in An Inspector Calls?
Write about:
what Arthur Birling says and does
the methods Priestley uses to present him.
Question 18
In An Inspector Calls Eric and Sheila Birling are brother and sister. How are they alike and how are they different.
You should write about:
what Eric and Sheila say and do
similarities and differences between them
the methods Priestley uses to present Eric and Sheila.

17. Question 17
How does Priestley present Eric in An Inspector Calls?
Write about:
what Eric says and does
how other characters respond to him
the methods Priestley uses to present Eric.
Question 18
Write about the differences between Sheila and Sybil Birling in the play An Inspector Calls.
You should write about:
what they say and do
their different attitudes
the methods Priestley uses to present Sheila and Sybil Birling.

18. Question 17
How does Priestley present Gerald in An Inspector Calls?
Write about:
what Gerald says and does
how other characters respond to him
the methods Priestley uses to present Gerald.
Question 18
What do you think Priestley is trying to tell us about responsibility in the play An Inspector Calls?
what some of the characters say and do
the methods Priestley uses to present his ideas on responsibility.