An Inspector calls part 2 exam UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Name a quote where Mr Birling treats his workers harshly - CORRECT ANSWER - "I
went down myself and told them to clear out"
Name a quote where Sheila's behavior towards Eva Smith was a result of her own vanity. -
CORRECT ANSWER - "If she'd been some miserable plain little creature, I don't suppose
I'd have done it"
How does Priestley create the impression that the Birlings are on trial? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The Inspector is the barrister asking the questions, nd the judge giving his
verdict at the end. The Birlings are the defendants and are made to confess their wrongdoings.
In act 3, Eric says "He was our police inspector all right"
Wat does this show about Eric's understanding of judgement? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Eric understands that judgement goes beyond whether something is against the law or not. The
Inspector has shown that they have committed moral crimes, even if they can't be arrested for
them.
The Inspector leaves well before the end of the play. Why is this important for the theme of
judgement? - CORRECT ANSWER - It gives the characters chance to debate their own
responsibility and pass judgement on each other. They show whether they have learned anything.
How is the Inspector used to explore the theme of judgement in An Inspector Calls? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The Inspector acts as a moral critique
Questions morality of characters actions "Well, he inspected us right"
Reveals evidence to audience the leaves, encouraging characters to judge each other
,Audience, no real closure at end, have to come to own conclusions about who was to blame.
The Inspector reveals different ideas about judgement.
Gerald: they're "not criminals" vs Eric: "we all helped to kill her"
Reveals generation divide in play. Eric and Sheila=wider more mature view of social
responsibility.
Inspector passes sentence on Birlings/Gerald. "if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be
taught it"
"men"= society as a whole. Inspector warning that if selfish actions continue, everyone will
suffer.
Echoes Priestley's socialism: people are responsible for each other.
Relevant to audience of 1945: lived through world war, understand what "fire and blood and
anguish" was referring to.
In Act three, Mr Birling claims "I've learnt plenty tonight" Give one argument for and one
against this statement - CORRECT ANSWER - For: Mr Birling has found out a lot about
the immoral actions of his family.
Against: He hasn't learnt that it's wrong to treat lower-class people badly.
Sheila arguably learns the most about how her actions can affect other people. Find a quote from
ACT 1, Act 2 and Act 3 to show how her understanding grows. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Act 1 "Oh I wish you hadn't told me"
Act 2 "I know I'm to blame-and I'm desperately sorry-"
Act 3 "If it didn't end tragically, then that's lucky for us. But it might have done"
What does the Inspector teach the other characters about the lives of working class people? -
CORRECT ANSWER - He teaches them how hard working class people have to work in
order to survive, and that they often have no one to support them.
, Explain how Priestley presents the theme of learning in An Inspector Calls. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Sheila is willing to learn from the Inspector. Initially, she is quite selfish and
ignorant, for example she admits that she didn't think getting Eva Smith sacked was "anything
very terrible". This shows that she didn't grasp the seriousness of her actions. Later, Sheila starts
to consider Eva's plight and realises they have all done wrong. Her development follows the
structure of the play: she learns more and more as the play progresses. By act three, Sheila thinks
of their actions as "crimes and idiocies". She is able to change her views and she encourages her
parents to do likewise.
Mr Birling's arrogance prevents him from learning. He is set in his ways and won't consider other
points of view. His arrogance is clear at the beginning of the play wen he calls Eric's concerns
about Eva's dismissal "Rubbish!". The force of this short, aggressive exclamation shows how
convinced he is of his own opinions. This attitude may have been strengthened by his traditional
role as head of the family, he would have been unused to having his authority challenged.
Mrs Birling's views are similarly unshakeable. Like Mr Birling she doesn't learn because she
refuses to see that she is in the wrong. Even when the Inspector is questioning her, she is
adamant that she has done nothing she's "ashamed of". Mr and Mrs Birling finish the play as they
started it: convinced of the correctness of their views. Priestley thus shows that learning isn't an
automatic process, some character won't ever change.
How does Gerald's view about social responsibility vary from the beginning of the play vs end of
play - CORRECT ANSWER - start- thinks business is more important than social
responsibility
end- refuses to learn about social responsibility.
How does Eric's view about social responsibility vary from the beginning of the play vs end of
play - CORRECT ANSWER - start- doesn't think about how his behavior affects others,
acts immaturely
end- aware of the consequences of his actions, more sympathetic towards the working class
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Name a quote where Mr Birling treats his workers harshly - CORRECT ANSWER - "I
went down myself and told them to clear out"
Name a quote where Sheila's behavior towards Eva Smith was a result of her own vanity. -
CORRECT ANSWER - "If she'd been some miserable plain little creature, I don't suppose
I'd have done it"
How does Priestley create the impression that the Birlings are on trial? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The Inspector is the barrister asking the questions, nd the judge giving his
verdict at the end. The Birlings are the defendants and are made to confess their wrongdoings.
In act 3, Eric says "He was our police inspector all right"
Wat does this show about Eric's understanding of judgement? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Eric understands that judgement goes beyond whether something is against the law or not. The
Inspector has shown that they have committed moral crimes, even if they can't be arrested for
them.
The Inspector leaves well before the end of the play. Why is this important for the theme of
judgement? - CORRECT ANSWER - It gives the characters chance to debate their own
responsibility and pass judgement on each other. They show whether they have learned anything.
How is the Inspector used to explore the theme of judgement in An Inspector Calls? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The Inspector acts as a moral critique
Questions morality of characters actions "Well, he inspected us right"
Reveals evidence to audience the leaves, encouraging characters to judge each other
,Audience, no real closure at end, have to come to own conclusions about who was to blame.
The Inspector reveals different ideas about judgement.
Gerald: they're "not criminals" vs Eric: "we all helped to kill her"
Reveals generation divide in play. Eric and Sheila=wider more mature view of social
responsibility.
Inspector passes sentence on Birlings/Gerald. "if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be
taught it"
"men"= society as a whole. Inspector warning that if selfish actions continue, everyone will
suffer.
Echoes Priestley's socialism: people are responsible for each other.
Relevant to audience of 1945: lived through world war, understand what "fire and blood and
anguish" was referring to.
In Act three, Mr Birling claims "I've learnt plenty tonight" Give one argument for and one
against this statement - CORRECT ANSWER - For: Mr Birling has found out a lot about
the immoral actions of his family.
Against: He hasn't learnt that it's wrong to treat lower-class people badly.
Sheila arguably learns the most about how her actions can affect other people. Find a quote from
ACT 1, Act 2 and Act 3 to show how her understanding grows. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Act 1 "Oh I wish you hadn't told me"
Act 2 "I know I'm to blame-and I'm desperately sorry-"
Act 3 "If it didn't end tragically, then that's lucky for us. But it might have done"
What does the Inspector teach the other characters about the lives of working class people? -
CORRECT ANSWER - He teaches them how hard working class people have to work in
order to survive, and that they often have no one to support them.
, Explain how Priestley presents the theme of learning in An Inspector Calls. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Sheila is willing to learn from the Inspector. Initially, she is quite selfish and
ignorant, for example she admits that she didn't think getting Eva Smith sacked was "anything
very terrible". This shows that she didn't grasp the seriousness of her actions. Later, Sheila starts
to consider Eva's plight and realises they have all done wrong. Her development follows the
structure of the play: she learns more and more as the play progresses. By act three, Sheila thinks
of their actions as "crimes and idiocies". She is able to change her views and she encourages her
parents to do likewise.
Mr Birling's arrogance prevents him from learning. He is set in his ways and won't consider other
points of view. His arrogance is clear at the beginning of the play wen he calls Eric's concerns
about Eva's dismissal "Rubbish!". The force of this short, aggressive exclamation shows how
convinced he is of his own opinions. This attitude may have been strengthened by his traditional
role as head of the family, he would have been unused to having his authority challenged.
Mrs Birling's views are similarly unshakeable. Like Mr Birling she doesn't learn because she
refuses to see that she is in the wrong. Even when the Inspector is questioning her, she is
adamant that she has done nothing she's "ashamed of". Mr and Mrs Birling finish the play as they
started it: convinced of the correctness of their views. Priestley thus shows that learning isn't an
automatic process, some character won't ever change.
How does Gerald's view about social responsibility vary from the beginning of the play vs end of
play - CORRECT ANSWER - start- thinks business is more important than social
responsibility
end- refuses to learn about social responsibility.
How does Eric's view about social responsibility vary from the beginning of the play vs end of
play - CORRECT ANSWER - start- doesn't think about how his behavior affects others,
acts immaturely
end- aware of the consequences of his actions, more sympathetic towards the working class
