Blood Brothers (AQA GCSE English Literature)

Exam Questions

5 hours125 questions
11 mark

What is the primary role of the Narrator at the beginning of Blood Brothers?

  • an enthusiastic bus conductor

  • a belligerent gynaecologist

  • a gossiping voice of the public

  • an irate milkman

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21 mark

How does Mrs Lyons manipulate Mrs Johnstone into giving her one of the twins?

  • by offering her enough money to take care of one child, but not two

  • by convincing her that the welfare agency will take her children

  • by threatening to tell her husband

  • by promising to raise the child together as part of an extended family

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31 mark

Which characteristic best describes Mickey as a child?

  • confident

  • dishonest

  • arrogant

  • shy

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41 mark

What job does Edward eventually secure after attending university?

  • a councillor

  • a lawyer

  • a doctor

  • a teacher

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51 mark

What superstition does Mrs Lyons use to convince Mrs Johnstone to separate the twins?

  • Twins who grow up together will be poor.

  • Twins who are separated will bring bad luck.

  • If twins are separated, they will die if they learn the truth.

  • A twin will curse the other if raised in poverty.

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61 mark

Why does Linda begin an affair with Edward?

  • She loves Edward more than Mickey.

  • She wants to escape her working-class life.

  • Edward blackmails her into the affair.

  • She is depressed and lonely while Mickey is in prison.

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71 mark

What is the main reason Mickey falls into crime after losing his job?

  • He feels admiration for his brother Sammy.

  • He feels social pressure from Edward.

  • He is desperate to support his family.

  • He has a desire to gain respect in the community.

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81 mark

How does the Narrator's role reflect the themes of fate and superstition?

  • He acts as a gynaecologist, delivering factual news.

  • He predicts future events, reinforcing the inevitability of fate.

  • He tells Mrs Johnstone that her children will succeed, promoting hope.

  • He focuses on the positive outcomes of characters' actions, downplaying superstition.

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91 mark

What does Edward’s affair with Linda signify about his relationship with Mickey and the themes of the play?

  • It shows his disregard for Mickey’s feelings, reinforcing class differences.

  • It reflects his insecurity about his social status, and his desire to be part of the working classes.

  • It highlights his respect for Linda and Mickey’s relationship, as he insists on keeping it secret.

  • It suggests that Edward’s and Mickey’s relationship is unaffected by personal conflict.

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101 mark

What is suggested by the Narrator when he says, “The devil’s got your number / he’s knocking at your door”?

  • Mrs Johnstone is being pursued by diabolical debt collectors who know her address.

  • Mrs Lyons will gain control over Mrs Johnstone’s future.

  • Mrs Johnstone is about to receive good news from someone at the door.

  • Mrs Johnstone cannot escape the consequences of her actions.

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11 mark

How does Mrs Johnstone’s superstitious nature influence her decision to give away one of her twins?

  • She believes she will be rewarded financially for doing so.

  • She fears that Mrs Lyons' threat of social services is true.

  • She thinks the superstition about separated twins will help her other children.

  • She believes the superstition that her children will have a better life if they are separated.

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21 mark

What does the song Mrs Johnstone sings about living on the “never-never” illustrate about her character?

  • her faith in the future and belief that a better life is never far away

  • her constant struggle with debt and instability

  • her belief in the importance of never wasting your education

  • her hope for never losing her hard-won financial independence

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31 mark

What does Mrs Lyons’ decision to fire Mrs Johnstone after taking one of her twins illustrate about her character?

  • her unfailing kindness towards Mrs Johnstone

  • her inescapable guilt over the deal with Mrs Johnstone

  • her carelessness and lack of regard for others

  • her tragic and unavoidable inability to have children

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41 mark

How does the Narrator's role as the voice of the public influence the audience's perception of Mrs Johnstone?

  • by suggesting she is heartless for giving away her child

  • by portraying her as a responsible and logical mother

  • by justifying her decision to give up her child

  • by showing sympathy for her tough situation

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51 mark

When Mrs Lyons slaps Edward during his friendship with Mickey, what does this suggest about her view of the working-class?

  • She believes Mickey will be a bad influence on Edward.

  • She feels guilty about lying to Edward about his origins.

  • She wants to encourage the boys to become closer.

  • She is afraid Edward will discover his true identity.

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61 mark

What does Mickey's relationship with Edward reveal about the theme of social class in the play?

  • It highlights how upbringing can influence opportunities and behaviour.

  • It shows that Mickey's character is morally superior to Edward.

  • It demonstrates that both characters are destined for the same fate regardless of class.

  • It suggests that class differences have no impact on their friendship.

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71 mark

What does Mrs Lyons' decision to move house to escape Mickey's influence imply about her character?

  • She is attempting to outrun the consequences of her actions.

  • She is trying to provide Mickey with a better environment.

  • She feels deeply guilty and wishes to make amends.

  • She believes moving will finally reveal Edward's true background.

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81 mark

How does Edward’s generosity towards Mickey serve as a source of tension between the brothers?

  • It strengthens Mickey’s self-esteem and solidifies their friendship.

  • It strengthens Mickey’s self-esteem and solidifies their friendship.

  • It resolves Mickey’s financial troubles and reduces his anger.

  • It encourages Mickey to take more responsibility for his own life.

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11 mark

In what way does the Narrator’s role mirror a Greek chorus in Blood Brothers?

  • He provides comic relief during intense scenes.

  • He interacts directly with the characters to influence their decisions.

  • He comments on the action and highlights important themes.

  • He remains neutral, avoiding passing judgment on the characters.

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21 mark

Assess the significance of Mrs Johnstone’s decision to give up one of her twins in the context of class struggle.

  • It highlights her desire to escape the cycle of poverty.

  • It demonstrates her lack of emotional connection to her children.

  • It reflects her belief that her children will succeed regardless of upbringing.

  • It suggests she wants to challenge societal expectations.

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31 mark

Compare the way superstition affects Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons.

  • Both characters use superstition to manipulate the other.

  • Mrs Johnstone relies on superstition to make decisions, while Mrs Lyons uses it to control others.

  • Mrs Lyons is the only character affected by superstition in the play, and bases her choices on it.

  • Mrs Johnstone's belief in superstition fades as the play progresses, while Mrs Lyons’ belief strengthens.

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41 mark

Evaluate the role of Mrs Lyons in shaping the relationship between Mickey and Edward.

  • Mrs Lyons encourages the boys’ friendship, believing it will break class barriers.

  • Mrs Lyons supports Edward’s friendship with Mickey, but only to maintain appearances in society.

  • Mrs Lyons is indifferent to their friendship, focused only on her own wellbeing.

  • Mrs Lyons attempts to prevent their friendship, fearing the truth about their origins will be revealed.

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51 mark

Examine how Mickey’s admiration for his older brother, Sammy, impacts his development throughout Blood Brothers.

  • It leads Mickey to make better life choices, as he wishes to be different from Sammy.

  • It encourages Mickey to strive for financial success and stability.

  • It has no significant impact, as Mickey and Sammy lead very different lives.

  • It contributes to Mickey’s downfall, as he idolises Sammy’s rebellious and criminal behaviour.

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61 mark

Compare how Mickey and Edward’s upbringing shapes their perspectives on friendship and loyalty.

  • Mickey values loyalty above all, but Edward treats friendship casually due to his privileged upbringing.

  • Edward is more loyal than Mickey, as he offers support to his friend throughout the play.

  • Both characters view friendship and loyalty in the same way, despite their different backgrounds.

  • Mickey and Edward are equally indifferent to the idea of loyalty, which ultimately ends their friendship.

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