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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When was Eva Smith hired at Milward’s?

2. What does Inspector Goole say he never does?

3. Who does Eric say has a “nasty temper sometimes” (8)?

4. Why does Arthur say the evening is “one of the happiest nights” (8) of his life?

5. Why does Arthur ask Sheila if she is listening?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Gerald ask that Sheila be excused from Inspector Goole’s questioning?

2. Why does Sheila object when Sybil calls Eva Smith “girls of that class” (31)?

3. What opportunity does Arthur see in Gerald and Sheila’s engagement?

4. How do the members of the Birling family react to Eric’s drinking?

5. Why does Sheila say she got Eva Smith fired from Milward’s?

6. What are Arthur’s views on social welfare?

7. Why does Arthur leave the room?

8. How does Arthur think Lady Croft might respond to Gerald and Sheila’s engagement?

9. What is ironic about Sybil’s statement that “men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business” (7)?

10. In what way does Arthur sound suspicious of Inspector Goole?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Of all of the major characters implicated in the suicide of Eva Smith/Daisy Renton/Mrs. Birling, Sheila expresses the most remorse about what she has done. In that sense she can be considered the play’s emotional center or core. Write an essay about Sheila as the conscience of the play “An Inspector Calls.”

Essay Topic 2

Though one of the most reserved characters, the character of Sybil has a personality that is full of paradoxes. Write an essay about the author’s use of irony in depicting the character of Sybil.

Essay Topic 3

One of the themes of the play “An Inspector Calls” is guilt, or remorse. Though not all characters express remorse, some do, and their guilt is both personal and collective. Write an essay exploring the theme of collective vs. personal guilt as expressed by the characters in the play.

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