Blood Brothers (AQA GCSE English Literature): Exam Questions

Exam code: 8702

8 hours130 questions
1
1 mark

What does Edward say when Mickey confronts him about Linda in Act 2?

  • “She belongs to you, not me.”

  • “We’re just friends, nothing more.”

  • “Linda and I are just friends.”

  •  “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

2
1 mark

What phrase does Mickey repeatedly use to describe how he feels after coming out of prison in Act 2?

  • “I can’t cope anymore.”

  • “I’m not well.”

  • “I’ll never be the same.”

  • “Everything’s ruined.”

3
1 mark

Why does Mickey begin to envy Edward in Act 2?

  • Edward is more popular with Linda.

  • Edward has better clothes.

  • Edward is better at sports and games.

  • Edward has a better vocabulary.

4
1 mark

What does Mickey ask Edward when they first meet?

  • “Do you want to be friends?”

  • “Are you rich?”

  • “Why are you so clean?”

  • “D' they call y' Eddie?”

5
1 mark

What does Mrs Johnstone recall her husband telling her in Act 1?

  • that she is a terrible mother

  • that she is sexier than Marilyn Monroe

  • that she should move to a new house

  • that she should give one of her twins away

6
1 mark

What does Mrs Johnstone hope to leave behind when she sings, “Got a new situation, / A new destination, / An' no reputation following me”?

  • her struggles as a working-class mother

  • the negative aspects of her relationship with Mickey

  • her connection to Mrs Lyons

  • her outdated superstitious beliefs

7
1 mark

What does the Narrator’s description of Mickey and Edward being “As like each other as two new pins” suggest about their relationship?

  • Their lives will always be connected because they grew up together.

  • They are very different, emphasising the impact of upbringing.

  • They are identical twins, highlighting their natural connection.

  • Their relationship is already strained and disconnected.

8
1 mark

How does Mickey’s line, “I wish I could still believe in all that blood brother stuff,” illustrate his feelings in Act 2?

  • Mickey feels disconnected from Edward due to their different upbringings.

  • Mickey still believes in his bond with Edward but cannot express it.

  • Mickey wishes to believe, showing his desire for friendship despite the challenges.

  • Mickey regrets ever making a blood brother pact with Edward.

9
1 mark

What does Edward’s question, “Don’t you know what a dictionary is?” reveal about his relationship with Mickey?

  • Edward and Mickey share the same level of education and similar points of reference.

  • Edward is surprised that Mickey does not understand something basic to him.

  • Edward is mocking Mickey’s lack of knowledge and limited vocabulary.

  • Edward is trying to help Mickey by teaching him new words and concepts to broaden his vernacular.

10
1 mark

What does the Narrator’s question, “Or could it be what we, the English, have come to know as class?” ask the audience to consider?

  • whether the characters should have been more superstitious

  • whether the characters could have avoided the tragedy by changing their class

  • whether class issues are more important than the twins’ relationship

  • whether class divisions, rather than superstition, are the true cause of the tragedy

1
1 mark

What is the significance of the Narrator’s line, “Now y’ know the devil’s got your number, y’ know he’s gonna find ya”?

  • It shows that the characters are unaware of the consequences of their actions.

  • It suggests the characters can still avoid their tragic fate if they work together.

  • It implies that the devil is a literal character in the play, and perhaps even the Narrator himself.

  • It reinforces the idea that the characters are doomed by their superstitions.

2
1 mark

How does Mrs Lyons’ accusation, “I curse you. Witch!” in Act 2, reveal her mental state?

  • It shows she has fully embraced superstition and believes in its power.

  • It highlights her increasing paranoia and desperation.

  • It suggests she is joking and does not really believe in curses.

  • It shows that she is finally acknowledging Mrs Johnstone’s power over her.

3
1 mark

What does Mickey mean when he says, “It used to be just sweets an’ ciggies he gave me,” in Act 2?

  • Mickey feels embarrassed that he used to accept such gifts from Edward.

  • Mickey is upset that Edward no longer gives him anything.

  • Edward used to offer small gifts, but now Mickey needs real financial help.

  • Mickey is nostalgic about their simpler friendship when they were younger.

4
1 mark

How could Mrs Johnstone’s reference to Marilyn Monroe in, “He told me I was sexier than Marilyn Monroe / And we went dancing” apply to her situation later in the play?

  • It foreshadows her eventual success and happiness as she rises from humble beginnings.

  • It highlights how her life was once glamorous but is now tragic, like Monroe’s.

  • It suggests that Mrs Johnstone will regain her youthful optimism and former beauty.

  • It shows that Mrs Johnstone is still hopeful for a better life and a successful career.

5
1 mark

How does Edward’s line, “I’ve got money, plenty of it” apply to the deterioration of his relationship with Mickey?

  • It shows Edward’s inability to understand Mickey’s struggles with poverty.

  • It highlights Edward’s generosity and desire to help Mickey, as he values friendship over money.

  • It suggests that Edward believes money will solve their problems.

  • It demonstrates how Edward feels superior to Mickey due to his wealth, and rubs Mickey’s face in it.

6
1 mark

How could Mrs Lyons’ line “Wherever I go you’ll be just behind me...like a shadow” be used to explain her relationship with Mrs Johnstone in Act 2?

  • It shows Mrs Lyons is still able to control the situation despite Mrs Johnstone’s influence.

  • It shows that Mrs Lyons believes Mrs Johnstone is following her intentionally.

  • It implies that Mrs Lyons and Mrs Johnstone will eventually become friends.

  • It suggests Mrs Lyons is haunted by her guilt and cannot escape Mrs Johnstone’s presence.

7
1 mark

How does Mickey’s comment, “If I was like him, I’d know all the right words” apply to the theme of social class in the play?

  • It suggests that Mickey is content with his own vocabulary and life.

  • It highlights Mickey’s growing resentment towards Edward’s education and opportunities.

  • It implies that Mickey and Edward are equally educated, but express themselves differently.

  • It shows Mickey’s admiration for Edward’s academic achievements.

8
1 mark

How does Mrs Johnstone’s line, “Got a new situation, / A new destination, / An' no reputation following me” apply to the theme of social class?

  • It shows Mrs Johnstone’s belief that moving will help her escape the judgement she faces as a working-class mother.

  • It highlights her desire to move to a wealthier area to become middle-class, thereby providing a better life for Mickey.

  • It implies that Mrs Johnstone believes her reputation will improve through hard work and determination.

  • It suggests that Mrs Johnstone wants to completely change her identity and start over, defying the English class system.

9
1 mark

How does Edward’s line, “I don’t know what she told you but Linda and I are just friends” apply to the theme of betrayal in the play?

  • It implies that Edward is trying to protect Mickey from the truth about his relationship with Linda.

  • It shows that Edward is genuinely confused and doesn’t understand why Mickey is upset.

  • It suggests that Edward is lying to protect himself from Mickey’s anger, deepening his betrayal.

  • It shows that Edward has no feelings for Linda and wants to maintain his friendship with Mickey.

10
1 mark

How does Mickey’s line, “It used to be just sweets an’ ciggies he gave me” apply to his changing attitude towards Edward in Act 2?

  • It highlights Mickey’s frustration that Edward’s help cannot solve Mickey’s more serious problems.

  • It suggests that Mickey wishes Edward would return to giving him small, meaningless gifts.

  • It implies that Mickey no longer values his friendship with Edward and wants to end it.

  • It shows that Mickey is still grateful for Edward’s help, even if it’s just small gestures and trinkets.