View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who calls the Birling house at the end of the play?

2. What does Eric accuse Arthur and Sybil of doing?

3. What did Sybil dislike about Mrs. Birling?

4. What proof does Gerald have that Inspector Goole was talking about different women?

5. What does Inspector Goole say is Sybil’s role in the organization?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the difference between how Arthur and Sybil react to the revelation that Inspector Goole tricked them and how Eric and Sheila react?

2. What is the significance of Eric’s monologue in Act III?

3. What charitable things does Gerald do for Daisy Renton?

4. Why does Sybil change her mind and say the real culprit in Mrs. Birling’s suicide is not Mrs. Birling but the father of her child?

5. What does Arthur accuse the other characters of doing?

6. Why does Eric say he had sex with Mrs. Birling?

7. What is the meaning of Inspector Goole’s closing monologue?

8. How does Sybil respond to her own admission that she refused to help Mrs. Birling?

9. What is revealed to Eric about what happened while he was absent?

10. Why does Sheila become so upset at the end of Act II?

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

Though Inspector Goole’s statements indicate he believes that most of the other characters are responsible for the suicide of a young woman, throughout the play, Arthur and Sybil appear to express concern about only the threat of public scandal. Write an essay exploring why the older generation of the Birling family is so concerned with public scandal and how this affects their relationships with the other characters.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 912 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample