Starter quiz
- The play 'An Inspector Calls' begins with...
- the Inspector questioning Mr. Birling.
- the Birling family celebrating Sheila’s engagement. ✓
- Eric confessing his involvement with Eva Smith.
- Gerald telling Sheila about his affair.
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- The play 'An Inspector Calls' ends with...
- the Inspector returning to question the family.
- the whole family celebrating their innocence.
- a phone call announcing a real inspector is on the way. ✓
- Eric running away from home.
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- Which words are used to describe Mrs. Birling in the opening stage directions of 'An Inspector Calls'?
- "harsh"
- "cold" ✓
- "superior" ✓
- "portentous"
- "inferior"
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- Which character in 'An Inspector Calls' is described as "portentous" and "provincial" in the opening stage directions?
- 'Mr. Birling' ✓
- Which definition best describes the word 'critique'?
- to give an opinion or judgement ✓
- to state a fact or belief confidently
- an idea or thought that you plan to carry out
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- When analysing or commenting on a writer's purpose it can be useful to use tentative language. Which answer offers the best description of this?
- using language that assumes the writer's purpose is a fact without doubt
- using phrases that suggest possibilities rather than making absolute claims ✓
- using informal language to express your personal opinions about the text
- using strong and definitive statements to emphasise your analysis
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Exit quiz
- Is the answer true or false? Priestley ends 'An Inspector Calls' with a cliffhanger.
- 'True' ✓
- In 'An Inspector Calls', Act 2 ends with the Inspector asking a question. What is that question?
- "What?"
- "Well?" ✓
- "Why?"
- "How?"
- "Who?"
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- In 'An Inspector Calls', Priestley's structure can be described as...
- non-linear
- episodic
- fragmentary
- cyclical ✓
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- In 'An Inspector Calls', how does Priestley use structure in the play?
- to make the play predictable
- to suggest societal issues are unresolved ✓
- to focus on character development
- to create a fast paced plot
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- Towards the end of Act 2 in 'An Inspector Calls', Mr. Birling is described as...
- "thunderstruck" ✓
- "distressed"
- "hysterical"
- "agitated"
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- Which word beginning with 'a' can be described as: 'something that is unclear or has more than one possible meaning; open to interpretation.'?
- 'ambiguous' ✓
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The cliffhanger at the end of the play gives the play an ambiguous and unresolved ending.
- Priestley uses cliffhangers to create suspense and tension throughout the play.
- Priestley uses a cyclical structure to impact the audience and provoke reflection.
- The cyclical structure of the play links to the themes of social responsibility, class and societal change.
Common misconception
If a play is not resolved or offers a clear conclusion it is not effective and just feels uncomfortable for the audience.
Arguably, this is what the writer wants you to feel with an ambiguous ending. An unresolved ending may provoke more questions and be used by the writer to make a point.
Keywords
Suspsense - the excitement or nervousness an audience feels while waiting to see what will happen next in the play
Tension - the feeling of unease or stress an audience feels at moments of conflict or uncertainty
Cliffhanger - where a story or text ends suddenly with ,no explanation it often leaves an audience in suspense
Ambiguous - something that is unclear or has more than one possible meaning; open to interpretation
Cyclical - going in circles or returning to the same point over and over again