GCSE Literature: An Inspector Calls | Essay Questions

Students analyse how Priestley shifts the mood and tone across Act I of An Inspector Calls.

Students compare characters' contrasting reactions to the Inspector's interrogation (e.g. Gerald Croft vs. Mrs. Birling, Arthur Birling vs. Sheila Birling).

Students construct an extended essay response tracing a character's or theme's development across the whole play, such as Inspector Goole's dramatic function or the Birlings' internal conflicts.

Assign the Act I and Act II questions as shorter formative essays before the whole-play questions, which require synthesis across the full text.

Use question 11 (write fully about one character) as a flexible essay option for differentiation, since it lets students choose their own character focus.

Pair the comparison questions (6, 13, 15) for a class discussion contrasting how different characters respond to the Inspector's interrogation before students write.

Essay planning and argumentation — students construct an extended response analysing theme, character, or dramatic technique in An Inspector Calls.

Comparative character analysis — students compare and contrast characters' reactions to interrogation, such as Gerald Croft versus Mrs. Birling.

Dramatic technique analysis — students evaluate how Priestley uses the Inspector as a device to expose the Birling family's lies and social attitudes.