Worksheets'Blood Brothers' - Act 1
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 14mins
What does the Narrator tell us about the events of the play in their opening speech? Select all relevant answers.
The play centres around twin brothers.
One twin was kept and one given away.
The twins don't look like each other.
The Mother never wanted to give up her son.
Russell uses Marilyn Monroe as a symbol who he compares the Mother to. Who was Marilyn Monroe?
A famous American singer.
A playwright who worked with Russell.
The first actress to play Mrs Johnston on stage.
A movie star icon of the 1950s and 60s.
Fill in the blank: As Mrs Johnston has more children and grows older, her husband walks out on her. This meant she became a __________ ___________, which was viewed very negatively by society at the time.
(a)
What evidence is there in Act 1 that Mrs Johnston is a member of the working class? Select all relevant answers.
She can't afford to pay the milkman.
She is living on the streets.
There is no food in the house for her children.
She has a job as a cleaner.
She can't buy the dress she wants.
Who is Mrs Johnston to Mrs Lyons?
Her best friend
Her Auntie
Her maid
Her employer
Why does Mrs Lyons live in such a big house?
Lots of family come to stay
She was hoping to have children
Her husband wants her to feel lonely
She has lots of furniture to keep there
Which of the following superstitions ARE NOT mentioned in Act 1, Scene 3?
New shoes on the table
Spilled salt
A cracked mirror
Walking under a ladder
A single magpie
In scene 4, Mrs Johnston says that "With one more baby we could have managed. But not with two. The Welfare's already been on to me. They say I'm incapable of controlling the kids I've already got". Who is the equivalent of 'The Welfare' in current times?
Social Services
The local council
The Job Centre
The NHS
In Act 1, Mrs Lyons convinces Mrs Johnston to give her one of her unborn twins. What does she promise her to persuade her this is a good idea? Select all relevant options.
She will still be able to see him everyday
He would have a good life
He would go to a good school
He would have lots of friends to play with
What does Mrs Lyons make Mrs Johnston swear on to keep her promise of giving up one of her sons?
(a)
What happens after Mrs Johnston has given birth to her twins? Select all relevant options.
She tells Mrs Lyons straight away
She delivers one of her babies to Mrs Lyons
She doesn't tell Mrs Lyons they've been born
She tries to go back on her promise to Mrs Lyons
She keeps them both for herself
Where does Mrs Johnston tell her other children that one of the twins has gone?
(a)
In the final scene of Act 1, what does Mrs Lyons do to Mrs Johnston? Select all relevant answers.
Breaks her promises to her surrounding the twins
Sacks her from her job
Pays her a lot of money
Refuses to let her take her baby with her
Why does Mrs Lyons say that "if either twin learns he was one of a pair they shall both die immediately!"?
To try and adopt both babies
To convince Mrs Johnston to leave town
To stop Mrs Johnston revealing the truth
To curse the twins
This question does not impact your score in the quiz. How confident are you with the characters and events in Act 1 of 'Blood Brothers'?
Very - I know this off by heart.
Fairly confident, I'm ready to read on.
Ok... I may need to reread some sections though.
Not at all confident. I could do with reading the whole play over again.
