An Inspector Calls: Context + Act 1

How does Sheila react to news of the death?

• She doesn't

• She becomes angry

• She blames her father

• She runs out crying

Answer explanation

P.21 "She looks at it closely, recognizes it with a little cry, gives a half-stifled sob, and then runs out"

Where did Sheila encounter the dead girl?

• Milwards

• With Gerald

• Her father's factory

• Mayhews

Answer explanation

P.23 "I went to the manager at Milwards and I told him that if they didn't get rid of that girl..."

Why did Sheila get angry at the girl?

• She said Sheila looked silly

• Sheila thought Eva was laughing at her

• She refused to help her

• Sheila wasn't angry - Mrs Birling was

Answer explanation

P.23 "When I was looking at myself in the mirror I caught sight of her smiling at the assistant, and I was furious with her."

What does the Inspector suggest Sheila was feeling?

• Anger

• Vindictive

• Selfish

• Jealous

Answer explanation

P.24 "In fact, in a kind of way, you might be said to have been jealous of her"

How does Sheila feel about her involvement?

• Fine

• Angry

• Guilty

• Amused

Answer explanation

P.23 "(miserably) It was my own fault"

What are the Birling family doing at the beginning of the play?

• Celebrating Eric's fourth year of being sober.

• Celebrating Sheila's engagement to Gerald

• Celebrating Mr Birling's knighthood

• Celebrating Gerald's new promotion

Answer explanation

P.4 "I'm going to tell you frankly, without any pretences, that your engagement to Sheila means a tremendous lot to me"

Which character does the quote 'very pleased with life and rather excited' refer to?

• Arthur Birling

• Sybil Birling

• Eric Birling

• Sheila Birling

Answer explanation

P.1-2 "Sheila is a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited"

What does Mr Birling tell Gerald before the inspector arrives?

• That he is about to buy Gerald's father's business

• That he is about to open a new factory

• That he will probably get a knighthood so long as there isn't a scandal

• That Eric is about to receive a knighthood.

Answer explanation

P.8 "So - well - I gather there's a very good chance of a knighthood - so long as we behave ourselves, don't get into the police court or start a scandal - eh?"

What does Mr Birling see Sheila and Gerald's engagement as?

• An act of love

• A family extension

• A business opportunity

• An act of faith

Answer explanation

P.4 "... look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together - for lower costs and higher prices"

What is significant about Eric's line: 'What about war?'

• It shows that he is more naive and inexperienced than his father

• It shows that he is worried about war

• It shows that the younger generation are more social aware than the older generation

• It shows that the younger generation are less aware than the older generation