Practice Exam Questions
Character
How far does Mr Birling change in An Inspector Calls?
Write about:
• how Mr Birling responds to her family and to the Inspector
• how Priestley presents Mr Birling by the ways he writes.
‘In An Inspector Calls, the character of Arthur Birling isn’t used to being challenged.’ Explore how far you agree with this statement:
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How does Priestley present the character of Mrs Birling in An Inspector Calls?
Write about:
• how Mrs Birling responds to her family and to the Inspector
• how Priestley presents Mrs Birling by the ways he writes.
How far does Priestley present Mrs Birling as an unlikeable character?
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‘Sheila learns the most in An Inspector Calls. Explore how far you agree with this statement.
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How and why does Sheila change in An Inspector Calls?
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Does Priestley’s portrayal encourage you to feel sympathy for Eric at any point in the play?
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How and why does Eric change in An Inspector Calls?
Write about:
• how Eric responds to his family and to the Inspector
• how Priestley presents Eric by the ways he writes.
‘Eric is presented as the weakest character in An Inspector Calls.’ Explore how far you agree with this statement.
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How important is the role of Eric in this play?
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Explore how Priestley’s portrayal of Gerald Croft contributes to the dramatic impact of the play.
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How does Priestley present the character of Gerald in An Inspector Calls?
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• how Gerald responds to the Birling family and to the Inspector
• how Priestley presents Gerald by the ways he writes.
In what ways does Priestley make the relationship between Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft such an important part of the play?
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How does Priestley present the relationship between Sheila and Gerald in An Inspector Calls?
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Explore one or two moments in the play when Priestley makes the Inspector’s presence on the stage particularly powerful.
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How does Priestley present the Inspector as an unusual character in An Inspector Calls?
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How does Priestley present the Inspector in An Inspector Calls?
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Who do you think shows the most regret for their actions in An Inspector Calls?
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How does Priestley show that tension is at the heart of the Birling family?
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Theme
How successfully has Priestley portrayed a class-ridden and hypocritical society?
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How does Priestley present some of the differences between social classes in An Inspector Calls?
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An Inspector Calls has been described as ‘a play about inequality’. To what extent do you agree with this view?
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How does Priestley explore the issue of class in An Inspector Calls?
Write about:
• the ideas about class in An Inspector Calls
• how Priestley presents these ideas by the ways he writes.
How does Priestley explore inequality in An Inspector Calls?
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How does Priestley explore the ideas of socialism in An Inspector Calls?
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• the ideas about socialism in An Inspector Calls
• how Priestley presents these ideas by the ways he writes.
How does Priestley present attitudes towards the working classes in An Inspector Calls?
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How does Priestley explore the ideas of status and power in An Inspector Calls?
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• the ideas about status and power in An Inspector Calls
• how Priestley presents these ideas by the ways he writes
How does Priestley explore responsibility in An Inspector Calls?
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How does Priestley explore the idea of blame in An Inspector Calls?
Write about:
• the ideas about blame in An Inspector Calls
• how Priestley presents these ideas by the ways he writes.
How are gender roles presented in An Inspector Calls?
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How does Priestley explore the difference in attitudes between older and younger generations in An Inspector Calls?
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How does Priestley present some of the differences between children and parents in An Inspector Calls?
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How is the mother/daughter relationship in this play explored?
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An Inspector Calls has been described as ‘a play about secrets and lies’. To what extent do you agree with this view?
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Character and Theme Combined
How does Priestley use the character of Mr Birling to present ideas about capitalism?
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At the start of the play, Arthur Birling tells Eric and Gerald: ‘a man has to mind his own business and look after himself’. How does Priestley present ideas about self interest in the play?
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How does Priestley use the character of Sybil to explore ideas about morality in An Inspector Calls?
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In An Inspector Calls, Sybil says ‘I consider it my duty’. How does Priestley explore attitudes towards duty?
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How does Priestley criticise the selfishness of people like the Birlings?
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How does Priestley use the Inspector to voice his message on social responsibility?
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At one point in the play the Inspector says: “We don’t live alone. We are all members of one body. We are responsible for each other.” How successfully is the idea of collective responsibility explored in this play, through the use of the Inspector?
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How does Priestley use the character of the Inspector to suggest ways that society could be improved?
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How does Priestley use the Birlings to explore ideas about respectability in An Inspector Calls?
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How does Priestley present characters coming into conflict in An Inspector Calls?
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Are Mr and Mrs Birling good parents?
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Dramatic Techniques/ Structure
What do you think is the importance of the opening of An Inspector Calls?
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How does Priestley create and maintain tension in An Inspector Calls?
How does Priestley use a range of dramatic devices to create and maintain tension in An Inspector Calls