Understanding An Inspector Calls

Who does the Inspector interview in each act of the play?

• Mr Birling, Mrs Birling, and Sheila

• Mr Birling, Gerald, and Eric

• Mr Birling, Mrs Birling, and Eric

• Mr Birling, Sheila, and Gerald

How does Priestley describe the Inspector?

• As a friendly and approachable man

• As a man of massiveness, solidity, and purposefulness

• As a timid and nervous individual

• As a humorous and light-hearted character

Which of the younger characters seem to learn from the Inspector?

• Sheila and Eric

• Eric and Gerald

• Sheila and Gerald

• None of them

What are three key themes from the play?

• Love, betrayal, and redemption

• Responsibility, class, and social change

• War, peace, and prosperity

• Friendship, loyalty, and courage

What structure does the play follow?

• A series of unrelated scenes

• A linear narrative with flashbacks

• A three-act structure

• A two-act structure

How does Priestley describe the Birlings’ house in the stage directions, and what does this suggest about the Birling family?

• Cosy and warm, suggesting they are a loving family

• Large and luxurious, suggesting they are wealthy and status-conscious

• Small and cramped, suggesting they are struggling financially

• Modern and minimalist, suggesting they are forward-thinking

When is the play set? When was it written and first performed?

• Set in 1912, written and first performed in 1945

• Set in 1945, written and first performed in 1912

• Set in 1939, written and first performed in 1945

• Set in 1912, written and first performed in 1939

Which of the play’s main themes is strongly shown through the Inspector’s final speech?

• Love

• Responsibility

• Betrayal

• Courage

What is the significance of the Inspector's name, "Goole"?

• It suggests he is a ghostly figure

• It indicates he is a foreigner

• It implies he is a humorous character

• It shows he is a local resident

What is the primary purpose of the Inspector's visit to the Birling family?

• To arrest a family member

• To deliver a message

• To teach each character a lesson about social responsibility

• To collect a debt