An Inspector Calls (AQA GCSE English Literature): Exam Questions

How far does Priestley present Eric as a character who changes his attitudes towards himself and others during the play? 

Write about:

• what Eric says and does throughout the play

• how far Priestley presents Eric as a character who changes his attitudes

[30 marks] 
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Priestley present Sheila as a character who learns important lessons about herself and society? 

Write about:

• some of the things Sheila learns in the play

• how Priestley presents Sheila as a character who learns important lessons about herself and society

[30 marks] 
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Priestley present selfishness and its effects in An Inspector Calls? 

Write about:

• examples of selfish behaviour in the play

• how Priestley presents selfishness and its effects

[30 marks] 
AO4 [4 marks]

Mr Birling says, ‘…a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own’. 

How far does Priestley present Mr Birling as a man who cares only for himself and his family?

Write about:

• what Mr Birling says and does

• how far Priestley presents Mr Birling as a man who cares only for himself and his family

[30 marks] 
AO4 [4 marks]

‘Priestley shows how inequality in society leads to tragedy.’ 

How far do you agree with this view of An Inspector Calls? 

Write about:

• what happens in the play

• how Priestley presents what happens in the play.

[30 marks] 

How far does Priestley present Mrs Birling as an unlikeable character? 

Write about: 

• what Mrs Birling says and does in the play 

• how Priestley presents her by the ways he writes.

[30 marks] 
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Priestley explore the importance of social class in An Inspector Calls

Write about: 

• Ideas of social class in the play 

• How Priestley’s writing presents the importance of social class

[30 marks] 
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Priestley use Gerald to explore ideas about responsibility?

Write about: 

• What Gerald says and does 

• How Priestley uses Gerald to explore ideas about responsibility

[30 marks]

How far does Priestley present society as unfair in An Inspector Calls? 

Write about:

• What can be seen as unfair in the play 

• How far Priestley presents society as unfair

[30 marks]

How far does Priestley present male characters as irresponsible in the play? 

Write about:

• one or more of the male character(s)

• how far Priestley presents one or more of the male character(s) as irresponsible. 

[30 marks] 
AO4 [4 marks]

How far does Priestley present Eric as a character who learns important lessons about society in An Inspector Calls? 

Write about:

• what Eric says and does in the play

• how Priestley presents Eric.

    [30 marks] 
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Priestley present what life is like for women in An Inspector Calls? 

Write about:

• what life is shown to be like for women in the play

• how Priestley presents what life is like for women.

       [30 marks] 
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Priestley present the different ways older and younger characters respond to the Inspector? 

Write about:

• the different ways older and younger characters respond to the Inspector

• how Priestley presents the different ways older and younger characters respond to the Inspector.

       [30 marks] 
AO4 [4 marks]

How and why does Sheila change in An Inspector Calls? 

Write about:

• how Sheila responds to her family and to the Inspector 

• how Priestley presents Sheila by the ways he writes.

    [30 marks] 
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Priestley explore responsibility in An Inspector Calls? 

Write about: 

• the ideas about responsibility in An Inspector Calls 

• how Priestley presents these ideas by the ways he writes.

  
      [30 marks] 
  AO4 [4 marks]

How does Priestley present different responses to responsibility in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:

• what characters say and do

• how Priestley presents their attitudes to responsibility.

[30 marks] 

AO4 [4 marks]

How does Priestley use the character of the Inspector to create drama and tension in the play?

Write about:

• what the Inspector says and does

• how Priestley presents the Inspector.

[30 marks] 

AO4 [4 marks]

How does Priestley present conflict within the Birling family in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:

• what family members say and do

• how Priestley presents conflict in family relationships.

[30 marks] 

AO4 [4 marks]

Eric says: “We all helped to kill her.”

How does Priestley use Eric to explore guilt in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:

• what Eric says and does

• how Priestley presents Eric.

[30 marks] 

AO4 [4 marks]

Mr Birling says: “A man has to make his own way — has to look after himself.”

How does Priestley use Mr Birling to explore ideas about social responsibility in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:

• what Mr Birling says and does

• how Priestley presents Mr Birling.

[30 marks] 

AO4 [4 marks]

At the end of An Inspector Calls, the phone rings and the Birlings learn that a girl has just died.

How does Priestley present the importance of the play’s ending?

Write about:

• what happens at the end of the play

• how Priestley presents the significance of the ending.

[30 marks] 

AO4 [4 marks]