American Beauty Study Guide

1. Which character is described as having gardening shears that match her clogs?

• Barbara Fitts
• Christie Kane
• Jane Burnham
• Carolyn Burnham

2. Who works at an advertising agency?

• Barbara Fitts
• Colonel Fitts
• Jim Olmeyer
• Lester Burnham

3. What is Brad Dupree's job title?

• Administrative Evaluator
• Employment Administrator
• Efficiency Expert
• Senior Vice-President

4. Which character is the first to appear onscreen in the film?

• Ricky Fitts
• Lester Burnham
• Jane Burnham
• Carolyn Burnham

5. Which character is the first to speak in the film?

• Ricky Fitts
• Lester Burnham
• Jane Burnham
• Carolyn Burnham

6. What does Lester NOT do in the first scene of the movie?

• Sulk in the back seat of the car on the way to work
• Have a fight with Carolyn
• Drop his suitcase on the ground
• Masturbate in the shower

7. What does Lester need to do in order to keep his job?

• Attract five new clients by the end of the month
• Win the Employee of the Month award
• Write a description of what he does
• Be nicer to his boss

8. Why does Lester think that their former neighbors didn't hire Carolyn to sell their house?

• She isn't a very good real-estate agent
• They bought the house through her and thought they were overcharged
• They didn't like her
• She cut down their tree

9. When does Carolyn say that Jane can pick the music they eat to?

• When Jane cooks dinner
• When Jane stops being rude to her and Lester
• When Jane dresses more nicely
• When Jane stops being late for dinner

10. Why does Jane originally say that she is angry with her father?

• He no longer talks to her
• He's mean to her
• He's mean to her mother
• He says stupid things