11 mark
What is the term for the structure that An Inspector Calls follows, which includes only one plot, one location, and events enacted in real time?
three unities
three acts
a tricolon, or sequence of three
foreshadowing
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An Inspector Calls (AQA GCSE English Literature)
Exam Questions
8 hours192 questions21 mark
Which of the following best describes the effect of the play’s cyclical structure?
It highlights some characters’ inability to learn from their mistakes.
It shows that the play’s events will probably not repeat themselves.
It suggests that most of the characters are permanently redeemed.
It ends the play on a note of finality and closure, as the story of Eva’s death comes to an end.
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31 mark
What does the sharp sound effect of the doorbell symbolise in Act One?
the arrival of the real police inspector
the Inspector’s challenge to Arthur’s views
a return to the status quo, as characters move on with their lives
the beginning of the celebration: one door opens as another closes
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41 mark
What is the significance of the lighting change from “pink and intimate” to “brighter and harder” when the Inspector arrives?
It indicates the start of a romantic scene and reflects Sheila’s feelings for Gerald.
It suggests that the characters will be under scrutiny and the truth will be illuminated.
It symbolises the end of the play, when the true meaning of the warm, pink lighting is revealed.
It signifies that the Birlings will be celebrating, reflecting their growing brightness and positivity.
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51 mark
What dramatic technique does Priestley use to maintain tension and pace in the play?
the use of multiple locations (the dining room, drawing room, and Eva’s bedroom)
the division into five acts of varying lengths
the absence of stage directions, allowing directors complete freedom to dictate the events on stage
the use of cliffhangers at the end of each act
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61 mark
What is the primary purpose of the Inspector’s repeated use of the pronoun “we”?
to emphasise individual responsibility
to highlight his personal opinions in a formal manner
to convey the idea of collective social responsibility
to diminish his own role in the significance of the events
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71 mark
What is the primary purpose of the Inspector’s repeated use of the pronoun “we”?
to emphasise individual responsibility
to highlight his personal opinions in a formal manner
to convey the idea of collective social responsibility
to diminish his own role in the significance of the events
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81 mark
What does Priestley achieve through the use of dramatic irony in Arthur Birling’s speeches?
He portrays Arthur as a perceptive, insightful character.
He ridicules Arthur by showing that the audience knows more than him.
He foreshadows Arthur’s eventual success at removing himself from guilt.
He validates Arthur’s predictions about the future, as much of what he says comes true.
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91 mark
Summarise the role of stagecraft in conveying the play’s central themes.
Stagecraft is used to create a sense of chaos and disorder until the Inspector imposes his rule.
Stagecraft is irrelevant to the play’s themes, but nevertheless engages the audience.
Stagecraft is used to showcase the luxury of the Birlings’ lifestyle and emphasise their downfall.
Stagecraft is used to emphasise the isolation and scrutiny of the Birlings.
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101 mark
Explain the purpose of Priestley’s use of the three unities in the play.
to create a sense of realism and intensity
to allow for multiple subplots that tie together in the denouement
to make the setting more varied, and create movement
to slow down the pace of the play and dictate the sequence of events
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11 mark
How does Priestley use dramatic irony in Arthur Birling’s speech in Act I?
Birling confidently predicts the success of the Titanic and peace in Europe, which the audience knows to be false.
Birling speaks with deep humility, reflecting his awareness of future events.
Birling accurately predicts World War II and uses this knowledge to benefit his business.
Birling remains silent about world events, leaving the audience unaware of his opinions.
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21 mark
What does the single setting of the Birlings' dining room signify in An Inspector Calls?
It reflects the Birlings' isolation from the lower classes and their detachment from the consequences of their actions.
It shows how open and accessible the Birlings are to each other and to the Inspector.
It represents the Birlings' constant connection with the outside world.
It demonstrates the Inspector’s inability to confront the family.
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31 mark
Suggest how the change in lighting from “pink and intimate” to “brighter and harder” might symbolise the shift in the play’s atmosphere.
The lighting change symbolises the family’s increasing happiness and unity, and their bright prospects.
The lighting change suggests that the play is moving towards a romantic conclusion.
The lighting change indicates that the Inspector will force the family to view life through rose-tinted spectacles.
The lighting change reflects the growing tension and scrutiny as the Inspector begins his questioning.
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41 mark
Illustrate how Priestley’s use of dramatic exits and entrances contributes to the development of tension in the play.
Characters often leave and enter without any impact on the plot, creating a sense of uncertainty.
Dramatic exits and entrances are used to disrupt the action and create suspense.
Characters’ entrances and exits are predictable and routine, giving the play a clear sense of pace.
The timing of exits and entrances has no effect on the audience’s experience; more important is what they say and how they say it.
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51 mark
Comment on the effectiveness of the Inspector’s use of moralistic language to convey the play’s themes.
The Inspector’s moralistic language reinforces the themes of social responsibility and collective guilt.
The Inspector’s moralistic language is ineffective and weakens the play’s message by patronising the audience.
The Inspector’s language is often very abstract, relating the past, present and future.
The Inspector’s sophisticated and moralistic language emphasises the importance of approaching the middle- and upper-classes on their own terms.
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61 mark
If you were to support an essay on Sheila’s character development using stagecraft, which moment would be most relevant?
Sheila’s exit after seeing Eva’s photograph shows her emotional response and foreshadows her later acceptance of responsibility.
Sheila’s insistence on staying seated throughout the play reflects her refusal to engage with the Inspector.
Sheila’s decision to stand by her father’s side shows her loyalty to her family.
Sheila’s choice to leave the house when the Inspector arrives highlights her fear of confrontation.
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11 mark
What is the significance of Priestley using the same setting (the Birlings’ dining room) throughout the play?
It demonstrates the wealth and grandeur of the Birlings' home, creating a sense of spectacle.
It emphasises the Birlings' isolation and detachment from the lower classes.
It shows the monotony of the Birlings' everyday life, with nothing changing between acts.
It highlights the Inspector’s inability to leave the Birlings alone.
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21 mark
How does Priestley create tension at the end of each act in An Inspector Calls?
by having characters leave the stage abruptly, creating a sense of shock and anxiety
by having the Inspector reveal new information at the end of each act
by resolving all conflicts before starting the next act, so that subsequent conflicts are a surprise
by using cliffhangers that leave the audience in suspense
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31 mark
Assess the impact of the Inspector’s final speech on the audience’s understanding of social responsibility.
It suggests that only the wealthy have a duty to help others because money is the vehicle for social change.
It introduces new themes unrelated to the rest of the play in order to reflect the approach of World War One.
It reinforces the play’s message that everyone is interconnected and responsible for each other.
It diminishes the earlier message by focusing on the Inspector’s personal opinions of the Birlings.
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41 mark
Assess the impact on the different characters in the play of the Inspector confronting them with the consequences of their actions.
The Inspector encourages the different characters to feel guilt, which leads all of them to completely change their ways, for better or worse.
The consequences of their actions are ultimately dismissed by all characters as irrelevant because the Inspector turned out to be an imposter.
Although the Inspector encourages the all of the characters to feel guilt, only Sheila and Eric show genuine remorse for their actions.
Only the younger characters endure the impact of being shown the error of their ways, which shows their moral superiority to the older generation.
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51 mark
Argue which character undergoes the most significant change throughout the play.
Gerald Croft, because he ends the play having reflected on his relationship with “Daisy Renton”
Sybil Birling, because she shows increasing concern for her family and Eva’s unborn child
Sheila Birling, because she becomes more socially responsible, learning the Inspector’s message
Arthur Birling, because he learns a lesson about the importance of protecting one’s reputation
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