An Inspector Calls - English

Question 1

How does the lighting change when the inspector enters?

Answer 1

Turns brighter and harder

Question 2

How is the inspector expressed by words in brackets

Answer 2

‘Cutting in massively’ ‘taking charge’ ‘impressively’ ‘massively’ ‘Cooly’ ‘harshly’ ‘dryly’

Question 3

What does the inspector first say about Eva Smith?

Answer 3

Two hours ago a young woman died in the infirmary after swallowing a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out of course

Question 4

How does the inspector like to go about his work?

Answer 4

‘It’s the way i like to go to work. One person and one line of inquiry at a time’

Question 5

Inspector earth quote

Answer 5

After all, it’s better to ask for the earth than take it

Question 6

Inspector talking about the family sharing something

Answer 6

You see we have to share something. If there’s nothing else we’ll have to share our guilt

Question 7

What does the inspector say to mrs Birling stating he has made a great impression on this child

Answer 7

We often do on the young ones, they’re more impressionable

Question 8

What does the inspector think of the case of Eva smith?

Answer 8

That’s what i thought when i saw her tonight. A nice little promising life there, i thought, and a nasty mess someone’s made of it

Question 9

What 2 things does the inspector say about Eva in his big speech

Answer 9

There are thousands of Eva and John Smiths left with us
We don’t live alone, we are all members of one body. We are responsible for each other

Question 10

How does he describe Eva smiths death (2 details)

Answer 10

• Yes but you can’t. It’s too late. He’s dead
• you can’t even say ‘I’m sorry Eva smith’

Question 11

How is Eric described at the start

Answer 11

Not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive

Question 12

What are key words in brackets that are used to describe Eric (more towards the end of the play)

Answer 12

‘Bitterly’ ‘miserably’ ‘uneasily’ ‘unhappily’

Question 13

What does Eric say about Eva that opposes his father’s view?

Answer 13

He could. He could have kept her on instead of throwing her out

Question 14

What he say about Eva revolting for money?

Answer 14

Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages. We always try for the highest possible prices

Question 15

What does Eric think of Eva

Answer 15

I wasn’t in love with her or anything but i liked her - she was pretty and a good sport

Question 16

What does Eric say about Eva’s thoughts on them marrying?

Answer 16

She didn’t want to marry me. Said i didn’t love her. In a way - she treated me as if i were a kid.

Question 17

What (2 details) does Eric say about the night he slept with Eva

Answer 17

‘I was a bit squiffy’
‘I was in that state where a chap easily turns nasty and i threatened to make a row’

Question 18

What is Eric’s response to the inspector asking if he stole the money

Answer 18

‘Not really’

Question 19

How does Eric respond to Sheila at the end when she says ‘it doesn’t make any real difference’

Answer 19

‘No Sheila’s right - it doesn’t’

Question 20

What does the inspector say will happen if men don’t learn that lesson

Answer 20

‘They will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish’

Question 21

What does Eric say when he finds out his mother turned Eva away?

Answer 21

(Nearly at breaking point) ‘Then - you killed her. She came to you for help to protect me and you turned her away. And the child she would’ve had - my child - your grandchild - you killed them both!’

Question 22

what does Eric say to his parents when they say they’re ashamed of him?

Answer 22

‘Well I don’t blame you - but don’t forgot I’m ashamed of you both as well - yes both of you,’

Question 23

what does Eric say when mr Birling asks him why he didn’t ask him for help

Answer 23

‘Because you’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble - that’s why’

Question 24

how is Sheila described at the start of the play?

Answer 24

‘a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited’

Question 25

what stage directions describe Sheila at the start of the play?

Answer 25

‘gaily, possessively’ , ‘half serious, half playful’

Question 26

Sheila’s disregard for her brother at the start of the play?

Answer 26

‘you’re squiffy’
‘Don’t be an ass Eric’
‘Chump, i can’t drink to this can i?’

Question 27

Sheila’s naïvity at the start of the play - two examples

Answer 27

‘Yes except for all last summer when you never came near me’
‘Oh - it’s wonderful! Look mummy isn’t is a beauty?’

Question 28

two instances when Sheila is horrified

Answer 28

‘Oh how horrible! Was it an accident?’
‘No! Oh horrible, horrible. How could she have wanted to kill herself?’

Question 29

What does Sheila say after the inspector tells her about Eva?

Answer 29

‘Oh I wish you hadn’t told me. What was she like? Quite young… pretty?

Question 30

What did Sheila tell to the shop when she thought Eva had been making fun of her?

Answer 30

‘I told them If they didn’t get rid of that girl, I’d never go near that place again and I’d close our accounts with them,’

Question 31

Two outbursts that Sheila has about Eva being turned out and the treatment of girls in the factory general

Answer 31

‘Well I think that was a mean thing to do. Perhaps that spoilt everything for her.’
‘But these girls aren’t cheap Labour, they’re people!’

Question 32

What is Sheila’s response to the inspector asking if it was Eva’s fault?

Answer 32

‘No not really. It was my own fault. She was very pretty and looked like she could look after herself.’

Question 33

Sheila’s later feelings towards Gerald? (What does she say about Eva)

Answer 33

‘And were you seeing her last spring and summer… of course you were’
‘(bitterly) of course you did’
‘Go on Gerald don’t mind mother,’

Question 34

What does Sheila say about what her dad thinks about what she did

Answer 34

‘I’ve told my father… he doesn’t seem to think it amounted to much,’

Question 35

what does sheila ask after she’s told she could have killed Eva

Answer 35

(miserably) so im really responsible?

Question 36

Sheila admitting her guilt

Answer 36

‘I know im to blame - and I’m desperately sorry, but i can’t believe, I won’t believe it’s simply my fault’

Question 37

Sheila showing her smartness and dry humour

Answer 37

‘(sharply attentive)’
‘he means im getting hysterical now’
‘At least it’s honest’

Question 38

Sheila being perceptive

Answer 38

‘You’re ready to go on in the same old way’
‘But it doesn’t make any difference y’know’

Question 39

Sheila’s feelings towards Gerald after he admits what he did (1) and after he reproposes to her (how about this ring then?)

Answer 39

1. ‘At least it’s honest’
2. ‘No not yet, i must think,’

Question 40

What is Sheila’s response to her parents’ decision to ignore what the inspector said?

Answer 40

‘No - because I remember what he said, how he made me feel - fire, blood and anguish,’

Question 41

What are Sheila’s stage directions near the end of the play?

Answer 41

‘(who is crying quietly), (sharply attentive)’

Question 42

how is sybil birling first presented?

Answer 42

‘a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior

Question 43

what does mrs birling respond to sheila saying gerald didn’t go anywhere near her all summer

Answer 43

‘you’ll have to get used to that, just as I did’

Question 44

what does mrs birling say to sheila to infantilise her?

Answer 44

‘you’re looking tired dear, you ought to go to bed and forget about all this silly business’

Question 45

what does mrs birling say about eric to infantilise him?

Answer 45

‘eric who seems to be in a rather exciteable, silly mood’

Question 46

what does mrs birling say about both her children which infantilise them?

Answer 46

‘they’re overtired - in the morning they’ll be just as amused as we are.’