Exam code: 8702
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Blood Brothers
How does Russell use Mrs Johnstone’s character to challenge conservative stereotypes about single mothers?
by presenting her as a selfish and irresponsible mother
by portraying her as a loving and hard-working single mother
by showing her neglect her children and rely on others for help
by depicting her as a mother who abandons her children
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How does Russell use the character of Mr Lyons to comment on conservative family values?
He shows Mr Lyons as an ideal father who is always involved in his family’s decisions.
He presents Mr Lyons as a hardworking businessman who sacrifices family time for his career.
He portrays Mr Lyons as a caring husband who prioritises his family’s happiness.
He depicts Mr Lyons as a father who makes sacrifices to provide for his children.
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What does the Narrator’s criticism of Mrs Johnstone, calling her family “the riff-raff” and “the trash,” reveal about conservative attitudes in the play?
It reflects the harsh judgement of single mothers and the working class.
It shows that the working class is celebrated for their resilience.
It suggests that the Narrator believes Mrs Johnstone’s family deserves sympathy.
It implies that the upper class feels empathy for the struggles of the poor.
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What does Mickey’s unemployment and subsequent turn to crime illustrate about the effects of social class in the play?
It shows that Mickey’s decisions are unrelated to his social class.
It highlights the impact of economic instability on working-class men like Mickey.
It suggests that Mickey’s criminal behaviour is a personal choice, not a result of social conditions.
It implies that Mickey’s problems stem from a lack of family support, not social class.
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How does the play’s depiction of Mrs Lyons’ mental deterioration reflect gender issues in England during the 1960s and 1970s?
It suggests that mental health problems were treated equally between men and women in this era.
It portrays Mrs Lyons’ breakdown as unrelated to her gender, focusing on her personal weaknesses.
It shows how women like Mrs Lyons were empowered and supported by society during this period.
It criticises the marginalisation of women’s mental health for not conforming to social norms.
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How does Russell use the repeated references to Marilyn Monroe in the play to comment on gender ideals?
He uses Marilyn Monroe to symbolise glamour and success that all women should aspire to.
He presents Marilyn Monroe as a figure of empowerment and independence for Mrs Johnstone.
He criticises the idealisation of beauty and youth, showing how it has tragic consequences for women.
He uses Marilyn Monroe as a symbol of hope and happiness for working-class women.
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How does the Narrator’s role reflect the social attitudes towards single mothers during the time the play was written?
The Narrator supports single mothers and encourages society to help them.
The Narrator acts as a judgemental voice, reflecting negative views of single mothers.
The Narrator suggests that single mothers like Mrs Johnstone are to blame for their own struggles.
The Narrator is indifferent to the plight of single mothers and makes no comment on their situation.
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Why does Mrs Lyons display threatening behaviour towards Mrs Johnstone?
She is under stress from her large house and loneliness.
She despises Mrs Johnstone’s working-class status.
She wants to maintain control over Eddie’s upbringing.
She is afraid Mrs Johnstone will take Eddie back.
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How does Russell use the Narrator in Blood Brothers?
to foreshadow future events in the play
to provide comic relief in tense moments
to represent the voice of conservative society
to show sympathy towards Mrs Johnstone
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Why does Russell frequently reference Marilyn Monroe in Blood Brothers?
to show Mrs Johnstone’s admiration for Hollywood stars
to symbolise the glamorisation and tragedy of female beauty and youth
to highlight the role of celebrities in society
to indicate that Mrs Johnstone was once famous
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How does Russell criticise the social class divide in Blood Brothers?
by showing the different outcomes of children raised in different social backgrounds
by focusing solely on the struggles of the working class, who are downtrodden and abused
by portraying Mrs Lyons as a victim of her own wealth and social class
by highlighting the unity of the working and middle classes during the play
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What impact did the Winter of Discontent have on the working-class characters in Blood Brothers?
It had no direct effect on the characters, although the phrase reminds us of Shakespearean tragedy.
It caused a rise in the political power of trade unions, who capitalised on public sentiment.
It improved working conditions for the characters in the play.
It led to widespread unemployment and economic instability for people like Mickey.
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Support the argument that Mr Lyons’ role as a father in Blood Brothers reflects conservative ideals about parenting.
Mr Lyons supports Mrs Johnstone financially, demonstrating the importance of economic stability in conservative ideology.
Mr Lyons takes an active role in raising Edward, reflecting the conservative belief in hands-on parenting.
Mr Lyons’ distance from his family is portrayed as a flaw, criticising conservative ideals and endorsing shared parental responsibility.
Mr Lyons’ absence from family decisions highlights the traditional view that fathers should focus on their work rather than family life.
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Based on Russell’s portrayal of Mrs Johnstone, how could you explain the Narrator’s role in influencing the audience’s perception of her?
The Narrator encourages sympathy for Mrs Johnstone by highlighting her struggles as a single mother.
The Narrator consistently supports Mrs Johnstone and praises her choices as she does her best for Mickey and Eddie.
The Narrator presents Mrs Johnstone as the source of all her family’s problems, whose decisions lead to tragedy.
The Narrator ignores Mrs Johnstone’s actions and focuses on the choices of other characters who mistreat her.
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Suggest how the economic instability depicted in Blood Brothers reflects the social divide between Mickey and Edward.
Edward’s redundancy shows that class does not protect against economic hardship and poverty.
Both Mickey and Edward struggle equally with the economic crisis, despite their different backgrounds.
Mickey's unemployment and crime contrast with Edward’s stable job and middle-class background.
Mickey's involvement in crime results from Edward’s betrayal, not from economic factors.
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Suggest how Russell’s portrayal of Mrs Johnstone could be used to challenge contemporary views of single motherhood.
Mrs Johnstone is shown as an aspirational figure, working hard to provide for her children despite societal judgments.
Mrs Johnstone’s actions are presented as the reason for her family’s downfall, reinforcing negative views of single mothers.
Mrs Johnstone is unable to care for her children properly, supporting the idea that single mothers struggle without a father figure.
Mrs Johnstone’s decision to give away one of her twins is seen as a selfish choice, demonstrating her inability to parent effectively.
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How might Russell’s depiction of conservative attitudes towards divorce apply to the challenges faced by Mrs Johnstone?
Mrs Johnstone is judged harshly for her status as a single mother, reflecting the conservative ideals that frown upon broken families.
Mrs Johnstone is offered support from her community, reflecting changing attitudes towards single-parent families.
The play shows how divorce can so easily lead to financial hardship and upset for families like the Lyons family.
Mrs Johnstone’s decision to give up one of her children is accepted by society, showing that divorce was becoming more common.
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