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Ordinary People Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Ordinary People Quizzes, Trivia

Ordinary People Trivia

Ordinary People Movie Trivia Quizzes

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3 Ordinary People quizzes and 30 Ordinary People trivia questions.
1.
  Ordinary People Multiple Choice Quiz    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This wonderful character study is one of my favorite films. The movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1980. Hope you enjoy my quiz!
Easier, 10 Qns, melonhead7, Feb 11 05
Easier
melonhead7
740 plays
2.
  All About 'Ordinary People'    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is one great movie that I recommend to you if you have not seen it already.
Average, 10 Qns, Lanire, Nov 16 15
Average
Lanire
833 plays
3.
  Ordinary People Quiz for Experts    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
For fans of the movie Ordinary People, I have a quiz that I hope you will enjoy.
Tough, 10 Qns, EricVG16, Nov 15 11
Tough
EricVG16
286 plays
trivia question Quick Question
According to Jeannine, what does Conrad have when he sings?

From Quiz "Ordinary People"





Ordinary People Trivia Questions

1. According to Jeannine, what does Conrad have when he sings?

From Quiz
Ordinary People

Answer: a lot of energy

She tells Conrad this when they formally introduce themselves. Conrad is a little flustered, and one of Jeannine's friends introduces him.

2. What is the last name of the family featured in the film?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Jarrett

The entire film is centered around the affluent Jarrett family and the turmoil they encounter after losing a family member. Mary Tyler Moore plays the mother, Beth, Donald Sutherland portrays the father, Calvin, and Timothy Hutton (in his Oscar winning performance) portrays the youngest son, Conrad.

3. Conrad's friend Karen comes from where?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Skokie, Illinois

Most of the action takes place in the Chicagoland area. Karen is a friend of Conrad's from the hospital where he was staying at after trying to commit suicide.

4. This movie is based on a novel by which author?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Judith Guest

While the novel is simply inspiration for the plot of the movie, both versions of the story are quite good. The adapted screenplay was written Alvin Sargent.

5. What award did the movie receive in 1981 as the best picture of the year?

From Quiz All About 'Ordinary People'

Answer: Oscar & Academy & Academy Award

It has also received the Oscar for The Best Actor in Supporting Role (Timothy Hutton), Best Director (Robert Redford), and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Alvin Sargent). At the same time it was nominated for The Best Actor in Supporting Role (Judd Hirsch) and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Mary Tyler Moore).

6. What is Dr. Berger's first name?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Tyrone

Dr. Tyrone Berger is played by Judd Hirsch, most famous for his work on "Taxi." He is Conrad's psychiatrist, and he helps Conrad overcome his survivor's guilt. Judd Hirsch received an Academy Award nomination for this role.

7. What is the Jarrett's eldest son's name?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Buck

Buck dies in an accident after the boat he and his brother were riding in, overturns during a storm. The event leaves the remaining members of the once "perfect" family in emotional ruin. The eldest of the two Jarrett boys was also the mother's favorite, and his death is very difficult for the mother as well as the remaining son to accept.

8. How does Conrad's older brother die?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Drowning

In a flashback, Conrad reveals to Dr. Berger that his "crime" was surviving, since he wasn't the athlete or jock that his brother was. However, this is also the climactic moment where Conrad begins to turn his life around.

9. After Conrad attempts suicide, how much time did he spend in the hospital?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: 4 months

Conrad seemingly has the most to deal with in the aftermath of his brother's death. He is traumatized because he was present during the accident and he feels guilty because he survived. These emotions as well as many more eventually drive the youth to try to end his life.

10. Who said, 'Oh well excuse me, I never promised you a rose garden'?

From Quiz All About 'Ordinary People'

Answer: Dr. Berger

In one of the sessions Conrad says that he doesn't let himself feel anything because every time he does, he feels lousy. The phrase is how Dr. Berger replied to this statement.

11. What is the name of Conrad's swimming coach?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Coach Salan

The second time that Conrad tells Salan that he is quitting, Salan tells him he won't have another chance, to which Conrad responds that he won't ask for another chance.

12. What was the name of the girl Conrad befriended in the mental hospital?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Karen

Conrad became very close with Karen during his time in the hospital. The scene where he calls her, only to learn that she had killed herself is one of the most poignant scenes in the film.

13. Who says, 'Oh, just "anyway". It's a conversation starter.'?

From Quiz All About 'Ordinary People'

Answer: Conrad Jarrett

At the time Conrad is on his first date with Jeannine and he is having trouble coming up with a topic for conversation. The date does not end up to well because of Conrad's swimming friends' interference.

14. What is the name of Conrad's older brother?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Buck

Buck Jarrett was known as an all-around athlete and a friendly rival to Conrad before his accidental death by drowning.

15. What is the name of the psychiatrist Conrad sees after leaving the hospital?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Dr. Berger

Judd Hirsh received an Oscar nomination for his wonderful portrayal of Conrad's psychiatrist Dr. Berger. His character is an unconventional doctor to say the least. He is cut and dry and does not preach the psychobabble that many psychiatrists are into. Yet, in the long run, he and his technique begin to help Conrad deal with his guilt.

16. How many Golden Globe Awards did 'Ordinary People' receive?

From Quiz All About 'Ordinary People'

Answer: 5

It recieved five awards for the Best Director - Motion Picture (Robert Redford), Best Motion Picture, Best Motion Picture Actor in a Supporting Role (Timothy Hutton), Best Motion Picture Actress - Drama (Mary Tyler Moore), and New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture - Male (Timothy Hutton). It also had three other nominations.

17. Where do Conrad and Jeannine go for their first date?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Bowling alley

Despite saying that she is a horrible bowler, Conrad decides to take a chance and ask Jeannine out on the date.

18. How does Conrad meet his "love interest" in the film?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: They both sing in the same choir

Jeannine Pratt, played by Elizabeth McGovern, becomes Conrad's love interest in the film. She has the ability to understand him and his problems without feeling overwhelmed or unsympathetic. Her involvement in his life helps Conrad deal with his issues and the pain he feels inside.

19. What is the tragedy that the family is trying to recover from?

From Quiz All About 'Ordinary People'

Answer: The death of Conrad's older brother

Conrad is blaming himself for the death and tries to commit suicide after the death. Beth is having trouble after losing her favourite son and cannot make herself love Conrad. Calvin is in the middle trying to make sure that their family will not break apart.

20. What is the name of Conrad's best friend?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Lazenby

In a tense showdown with Lazenby and some of his friends as Conrad and Jeannine leave the bowling alley, Lazenby tells Conrad that he is not the only one suffering. Lazenby is also struggling to cope with Buck's death.

21. Where do Calvin and Beth vacation to, during the film?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Houston

Beth would prefer things to just return to normal even after the death of her first born son. Her inability to deal with the tragedy and her unwillingness to accept Conrad is one of the key points that drives this character study. Mary Tyler Moore received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of the detached and indifferent mother.

22. During one of the therapy sessions, Conrad makes a brief mention of what classic TV show?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: The Waltons

In this brief mention, he compares himself to John Boy and how they both feel like outsiders in their own families.

23. Why does Conrad's father go and see Dr. Berger?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: He needed to talk to someone about his own problems

Donald Sutherland plays Calvin, Conrad's father. He is trying to be supportive of Conrad while also dealing with growing issues that develop between him and his wife. He is torn between two worlds while always simply trying to what he thinks is "right". It is amazing the growth and changes that occur to this character throughout the story.

24. Who wrote the book 'Ordinary People' that the movie was based on?

From Quiz All About 'Ordinary People'

Answer: Judith Guest

Judith Guest also wrote 'Second Heaven', 'Killing Time in St. Cloud', and 'Errands'.

25. The film's Oscar-winning screenplay was adapted by what screenwriter from the novel by Judith Guest?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: Alvin Sargent

Alvin Sargent has won two Academy Awards, one for this movie and one for the film "Julia" in 1977. He was also nominated for an Oscar for Adapted Screenplay for "Paper Moon" and has also written the screenplay for the first two "Spider-Man" sequels.

26. What happens to Beth (Conrad's mother) at the end of the film?

From Quiz Ordinary People

Answer: She leaves them

The scene where Calvin finally confronts Beth about her lack of sympathy and concern is one of the most affecting in the movie. Calvin finally realizes that she is incapable of such emotions, always has been, and will never change. She is so dazed by the revelation she says nothing. She turns around, packs her bags, and leaves in a taxi.

27. What happens at the very end of the movie?

From Quiz All About 'Ordinary People'

Answer: Beth leaves Calvin and Conrad

Conrad finds out that Karen committed suicide earlier in the movie. He also makes up with Jeaninne, but Beth cannot take it anymore and she leaves to be with her relatives.

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