GCSE J B Priestley | Language Revision, An Inspector Calls

English Literature Quiz - An Inspector Calls - Language (Questions)

Explore how Priestley’s language in An Inspector Calls shapes character, tension, and theme, from polite euphemisms to sharp questions that expose guilt.

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Fascinating Fact:

Euphemism hides cruelty. Phrases like “a lively good looking girl” soften responsibility and show class bias.

In GCSE English, you are expected to analyse how language choices in An Inspector Calls shape our view of characters and ideas. This quiz helps you spot key words, comment on devices such as euphemism and irony, and link Priestley’s language to themes like class, power, guilt, and social responsibility.

Key Terms

Euphemism: A polite or softer expression used instead of a harsh or direct one, often to hide the full seriousness of an action.
Dramatic irony: When the audience knows more than the characters, so their words take on an extra or opposite meaning.
Emotive language: Words and phrases chosen to stir the audience’s feelings, such as pity, anger, guilt, or admiration.

Frequently Asked Questions (click to see answers)

How do I analyse language in An Inspector Calls for GCSE?

Pick a short quotation, identify a key word or device, and explain its effect. Link your comment to Priestley’s message about class, power, or responsibility in the play.

What language features should I look for in An Inspector Calls?

Look for devices such as repetition, irony, euphemism, imperatives, and contrasts in tone. Ask how each feature shapes our response to a character or idea on stage.

How can this language quiz help with my GCSE English revision?

This quiz gives practice at matching quotes to effects, noticing patterns in Priestley’s language, and turning your ideas into clear exam-style comments on meaning and impact.

Try These Related Quizzes

Mr Birling describes himself as a "hard-headed practical" business man. Which of his language choices below best demonstrates this view of himself?

[ ]	"There's a fair chance that I might find my way into the next Honours List"
[ ]	"A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own"
[ ]	"Look, Inspector - I'd give thousands - yes, thousands - "
[ ]	"I'll admit now he gave me a bit of a scare at the time"

Eric describes Eva Smith as a "good sport". He contrasts her with the other women around town, whom he describes as...

[ ]	unpleasant and ugly
[ ]	jolly, but poor
[ ]	half-drunk and goggle-eyed
[ ]	fat old tarts

Mrs Birling greets the Inspector with, "I'm Mrs Birling, y'know." What does she intend to convey with her speech?

[ ]	Boredom and a belief in equality
[ ]	Annoyance and anxiety
[ ]	Graciousness and superiority
[ ]	Good-nature and honesty

Which of the following words is used in the stage directions for the Inspector's speech?

[ ]	Massively
[ ]	Sternly
[ ]	Harshly
[ ]	All of the above

The Inspector explains to Sheila the importance to manufacturing of having plenty of poor young girls like Eva Smith available as "cheap labour". Why does Sheila object to his use of language?

[ ]	To speak of people as "labour" obscures the fact that they are human beings
[ ]	To speak of people as "cheap" implies that they are immoral
[ ]	To speak of people as "labour" is to make assumptions about the type of work which they do
[ ]	The Inspector's choice of language is not the reason for Sheila's objection

Which of the following evokes final judgement and violent revolution?

[ ]	"Millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths"
[ ]	"Fire and blood and anguish"
[ ]	"Community and all that nonsense"
[ ]	"Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable"

Near the end of the play, Mrs Birling says of Eric and Sheila, "They're over-tired. In the morning they will be as amused as we are." What is suggested by her use of the term "over-tired"?

[ ]	Sheila and Eric need to take the Inspector's visit more seriously, like adults
[ ]	Sheila and Eric have worked very hard during the day
[ ]	Sheila and Eric have an early start the following day
[ ]	Sheila and Eric are like little children in her view

Mrs Birling describes Eva Smith's explanation of her situation to the committee as a "claim". What does she imply by the use of this word?

[ ]	Eva Smith was frightened to appear in front of the committtee
[ ]	Eva Smith did not feel entitled to help
[ ]	Eva Smith was making a formal request for compensation
[ ]	Eva Smith was probably lying

Gerald admits to his affair with Daisy Renton, but tells Sheila that he has nothing to do with "this suicide business". What is the effect of his choice of language?

[ ]	He implies that Sheila has no business questioning him
[ ]	He suggests that he, as a man of business, takes the event very seriously
[ ]	He minimises the deadly seriousness of the event
[ ]	He implies that life and death are similar to the way one runs a business

10.

When Sheila discovers her own part in the tragic fate of Eva Smith, she cries out, "Oh - why had this to happen?" What does her rhetorical question imply?

[ ]	Sheila is a religious person and expects an answer
[ ]	Sheila still views the event as something for which she is not entirely responsible
[ ]	Sheila lacks confidence and wants someone else to supply her with an answer
[ ]	All of the above

English Literature Quiz - An Inspector Calls - Language (Answers)

Mr Birling describes himself as a "hard-headed practical" business man. Which of his language choices below best demonstrates this view of himself?

[ ]	"There's a fair chance that I might find my way into the next Honours List"
[x]	"A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own"
[ ]	"Look, Inspector - I'd give thousands - yes, thousands - "
[ ]	"I'll admit now he gave me a bit of a scare at the time"

Mr Birling likes to speak in a no-nonsense manner, although this escapes him at times when he is excited or disturbed

Eric describes Eva Smith as a "good sport". He contrasts her with the other women around town, whom he describes as...

[ ]	unpleasant and ugly
[ ]	jolly, but poor
[ ]	half-drunk and goggle-eyed
[x]	fat old tarts

Both Gerald and Eric describe Eva as different from the prostitutes (the "tarts" and "women of the town") because she is still pretty and pleasant, and, in Gerald's words, "fresh"

Mrs Birling greets the Inspector with, "I'm Mrs Birling, y'know." What does she intend to convey with her speech?

[ ]	Boredom and a belief in equality
[ ]	Annoyance and anxiety
[x]	Graciousness and superiority
[ ]	Good-nature and honesty

She continues in this manner by telling the Inspector that the family will not be able to help him much. She does not believe that the Inspector could possibly impose on her well-respected family

Which of the following words is used in the stage directions for the Inspector's speech?

[ ]	Massively
[ ]	Sternly
[ ]	Harshly
[x]	All of the above

The Inspector speaks calmly, but with authority

The Inspector explains to Sheila the importance to manufacturing of having plenty of poor young girls like Eva Smith available as "cheap labour". Why does Sheila object to his use of language?

[x]	To speak of people as "labour" obscures the fact that they are human beings
[ ]	To speak of people as "cheap" implies that they are immoral
[ ]	To speak of people as "labour" is to make assumptions about the type of work which they do
[ ]	The Inspector's choice of language is not the reason for Sheila's objection

By choosing this phrase, the Inspector demonstrates the inhumanity of Mr Birling's attitudes. Using "labour" to refer to people who work is an example of metonymy

Which of the following evokes final judgement and violent revolution?

[ ]	"Millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths"
[x]	"Fire and blood and anguish"
[ ]	"Community and all that nonsense"
[ ]	"Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable"

The Inspector first uses these words in warning what will come if people like the Birlings and Gerald do not change the way they treat others. Sheila later repeats his phrase

Near the end of the play, Mrs Birling says of Eric and Sheila, "They're over-tired. In the morning they will be as amused as we are." What is suggested by her use of the term "over-tired"?

[ ]	Sheila and Eric need to take the Inspector's visit more seriously, like adults
[ ]	Sheila and Eric have worked very hard during the day
[ ]	Sheila and Eric have an early start the following day
[x]	Sheila and Eric are like little children in her view

Mrs Birling returns to her condescending language. In addition, her remark that "they'll be as amused as we are" distances her son and daughter from herself and her husband, who behave as adults in her view

Mrs Birling describes Eva Smith's explanation of her situation to the committee as a "claim". What does she imply by the use of this word?

[ ]	Eva Smith was frightened to appear in front of the committtee
[ ]	Eva Smith did not feel entitled to help
[ ]	Eva Smith was making a formal request for compensation
[x]	Eva Smith was probably lying

By describing appeals for help as "claims", Mrs Birling portrays applicants as demanding. In using the word to explain why she turned Eva Smith down, she also refers to her belief that the young woman's story was full of lies