An Inspector Calls - Act 1 ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
"The general effect is substantial and heavily comfortable, but not cosy and homelike" -
CORRECT ANSWER - Represents their relationship. Emphasises two things heaviness
and coldness. Mrs Birling is "a rather cold woman". Mr Birling is "heavy looking". The absence
of warmth represents their feeling of cold superiority.
"The parlour maid is just clearing the table " - CORRECT ANSWER - Emphasis on "just"
makes her seem insignificant. Shows a clear divide in social class as the Birlings just watch her
"Same port your father gets from him" - CORRECT ANSWER - Shows Arthur's
determination to be accepted by the superior class. Similar to what Eva Smith does when asking
for better wags but she's sacked
"Guffaw" - CORRECT ANSWER - Eric's movements and speeches are sudden and out of
place which could suggest he is masking something. He also is clearly an alcoholic which his
parent disregard because it is a messy situation. Could be foreshadowing as they avoid the
suicide
"You're just the kind of son in law I always wanted. Your father and I have been friendly rivals in
business for some time now" - CORRECT ANSWER - He puts his potential business
opportunity above his own daughters happiness. The marriage of the two will offer him more
social security within a higher class- just as Eva Smith did
"Is it the one you wanted me to have?" - CORRECT ANSWER - Shows Sheila's
submissive nature. Representative of how women were inferior to their husbands at the time
when the play was set- 1912
"A hard headed business man" - CORRECT ANSWER - Ironic as what he is about to say
will completely undermine him. He believes he understands the views of the wider world but he
is unfair very narrow visioned
Questions and CORRECT Answers
"The general effect is substantial and heavily comfortable, but not cosy and homelike" -
CORRECT ANSWER - Represents their relationship. Emphasises two things heaviness
and coldness. Mrs Birling is "a rather cold woman". Mr Birling is "heavy looking". The absence
of warmth represents their feeling of cold superiority.
"The parlour maid is just clearing the table " - CORRECT ANSWER - Emphasis on "just"
makes her seem insignificant. Shows a clear divide in social class as the Birlings just watch her
"Same port your father gets from him" - CORRECT ANSWER - Shows Arthur's
determination to be accepted by the superior class. Similar to what Eva Smith does when asking
for better wags but she's sacked
"Guffaw" - CORRECT ANSWER - Eric's movements and speeches are sudden and out of
place which could suggest he is masking something. He also is clearly an alcoholic which his
parent disregard because it is a messy situation. Could be foreshadowing as they avoid the
suicide
"You're just the kind of son in law I always wanted. Your father and I have been friendly rivals in
business for some time now" - CORRECT ANSWER - He puts his potential business
opportunity above his own daughters happiness. The marriage of the two will offer him more
social security within a higher class- just as Eva Smith did
"Is it the one you wanted me to have?" - CORRECT ANSWER - Shows Sheila's
submissive nature. Representative of how women were inferior to their husbands at the time
when the play was set- 1912
"A hard headed business man" - CORRECT ANSWER - Ironic as what he is about to say
will completely undermine him. He believes he understands the views of the wider world but he
is unfair very narrow visioned
