GCSE English Literature

2015-2017
Example Questions Task Bank
(for students)

J.B. Priestleys
An Inspector Calls

Read, understand and respond to texts.

Develop a personal response to the text;
AO1
Discuss your thoughts on the characters; (12
Use quotes to support your ideas. marks)
 Analyse the language, form and structure
used to create meanings and effects, using
relevant terminology where appropriate.
AO2 Explain how your quote supports your point;
Zoom in on specific words and analyse their effect; (12
Identify techniques such as simile, metaphor, marks)
personification etc. when appropriate.

Show understanding of the relationships

between texts and the contexts in which they
were written.
Comment on the writers intention (what does he
AO3
want us to think about?);
Discuss how different readers may be affected by (6 marks)
what happens;
Show awareness of how context impacts the plot.

Use a range of vocabulary and sentence

structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with
accurate spelling and punctuation
Spell all character names and key words correctly;
AO4
Use paragraphs and discourse markers to structure (4 marks)
your essay clearly;
Attempt to use a range of ambitious vocabulary
choices.
 JB Priestley: An Inspector Calls

EITHER

Question 1

Explain the significance of Mr Birling in J.B. Priestleys An Inspector

Calls.

Write about:
how Mr Birling responds to character and plot
how Priestley presents Mr Birling by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

Question 2

How does Priestley explore social status in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
the ideas about social status in An Inspector Calls
how Priestley presents these ideas by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]
 JB Priestley: An Inspector Calls

EITHER

Question 1

How does Mrs Birling respond to the Inspectors visit in An Inspector

Calls?

Write about:
how Mrs Birling responds to the Inspector and the news that he
brings
how Priestley presents Mrs Birling by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

Question 2

How does Priestley explore guilt in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
the ideas about guilt in An Inspector Calls
how Priestley presents these ideas by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]
 JB Priestley: An Inspector Calls

EITHER

Question 1

How does Priestley present the Inspector in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
how the Inspector responds to the Birlings and his attitude towards
Eva Smith
how Priestley presents the Inspector by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

Question 2

How does Priestley explore equality in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
the ideas about equality in An Inspector Calls
how Priestley presents these ideas by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

JB Priestley: An Inspector Calls

EITHER

Question 1

How does Priestley present the Inspector as an imposter in An

Inspector Calls?

Write about:
how the Inspector speaks and behaves when addressing the
Birlings
how Priestley presents the Inspector by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

Question 2

How does Priestley explore the pressures of time in An Inspector

Calls?

Write about:
the ideas about time in An Inspector Calls
how Priestley presents these ideas by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]
 JB Priestley: An Inspector Calls

EITHER

Question 1

How and why does Gerald change in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
how Gerald responds to the Birling family and to the Inspector
how Priestley presents Gerald by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

Question 2

How does Priestley explore reputation in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
the ideas about reputation in An Inspector Calls
how Priestley presents these ideas by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

JB Priestley: An Inspector Calls

EITHER

Question 1

How and why does Sheila change in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
how Sheila responds to her family and to the Inspector
how Priestley presents Sheila by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

Question 2

How does Priestley explore love and marriage in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
the ideas about love and marriage in An Inspector Calls
how Priestley presents these ideas by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

JB Priestley: An Inspector Calls

EITHER
Question 1

Explore how Erics experiences have affected him in An Inspector

Calls. You must refer to other characters in your answer.

Write about:
how Eric responds to his family and to the Inspector
how Priestley presents Eric by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

Question 2

How does Priestley present attitudes to ambition in An Inspector

Calls?

Write about:
attitudes towards marriage in An Inspector Calls
how Priestley presents these attitudes by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

JB Priestley: An Inspector Calls

EITHER
Question 1

Explain the significance of Eva Smith in An Inspector Calls.

Write about:
how the characters respond to Eva Smith
how Priestley presents Sheila by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

Question 2

How does Priestley explore gender prejudice in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
the ideas about gender prejudice in An Inspector Calls
how Priestley presents these ideas by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

JB Priestley: An Inspector Calls

EITHER

Question 1
How does Priestley present the relationship between Sheila and Eric
in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
how their relationship changes as the play develops
how Priestley presents them by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

Question 2

How does Priestley explore the generation gap in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
the ideas about the generation gap in An Inspector Calls
how Priestley presents these ideas by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

JB Priestley: An Inspector Calls

EITHER

Question 1
How does the relationship between Mr Birling and Mrs Birling change
in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
how they respond to each other as the play develops
how Priestley presents their relationship by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

Question 2

Why is structure significant in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
the structure of the play develops in An Inspector Calls
how Priestley presents these ideas by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

JB Priestley: An Inspector Calls

EITHER

Question 1
Explore the relationship between Mr Birling and his son in An
Inspector Calls.

Write about:
how Mr Birling responds to his son as the play develops
how Priestley presents their relationship by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

Question 2

How does Priestley explore attitudes towards responsibility in An

Inspector Calls?

Write about:
the ideas about responsibility in An Inspector Calls
how Priestley presents these ideas by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

JB Priestley: An Inspector Calls

EITHER

Question 1
How is Edna significant in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
how the family respond to her
how Priestley presents Edna by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

Question 2

How does Priestley present the ending of An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
the characters attitudes at the end of the play
how Priestley affects the audience by the way he writes.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]