Novels and Their Plots Trivia Quiz

Answer: They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

Horace McCoy wrote "They Shoot Horses, Don't They" (1935). Robert and Gloria, both trying to break into the film industry, decide to enter a dance marathon contest in the hope of grabbing the attention of producers and other bigwigs in the film industry. Though written by an author from the United States, the novel was particularly popular in France in the years after its publication.

Portraying Rocky Gravo in the 1969 film "They Shoot Horses, Don't They" won Gig Young the 1970 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Answer: Terms of Endearment

"Terms of Endearment" (1975) was written by Larry McMurtry and was part of his "Houston" series. The novel focuses on the relationship of the mother and daughter Aurora and Emma. The relationship of several women in the novel with their husbands is a secondary theme.

Jack Nicholson won the 1984 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing Garrett Breedlove in the film "Terms of Endearment" (1983).

Answer: Cool Hand Luke

Donn Pearce was the author of "Cool Hand Luke" (1965). Interestingly in the text of the story, there are no quotation marks around the dialogue in the story. Veteran Lucas Jackson is imprisoned and placed on the chain gang. His sentence extends and his punishment becomes more severe as his refusal to adapt to the warden's wishes leads to Jackson attempting to escape more than once.

George Kennedy won the 1970 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for portraying fellow prisoner Dragline in the 1969 film "Cool Hand Luke".

Answer: Mister Roberts

Based loosely on the experiences of author Thomas Heggen in the Pacific Theater of World War II, the novel "Mister Roberts" was published in 1946. Lieutenant Douglas Roberts is frustrated in his repeated attempts to secure a transfer from the support ship on which he serves into an area of more active combat. The novel is set up as a series of short stories.

For his role as Ensign Pulver in the 1955 film "Mister Roberts", Jack Lemmon would win the 1956 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Answer: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" (1943) was inspired by the childhood of author Betty Smith. The story focuses on the members of the Nolan family, who deal with issues of poverty, alcoholism, and a desire to improve oneself while living in the Borough of Brooklyn. Published during World War Two, the novel was particularly popular with US servicemen.

James Dunn, who portrayed father Johnny Nolan, would win the 1946 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the 1945 film "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn".

Answer: The Cider House Rules

John Irving was the author of the 1985 novel "The Cider House Rules". The story focuses on Homer Wells, who grows up in an orphanage. While there, he attempts to help the orphanage's director, Dr. Larch. Eventually, Homer leaves the orphanage and moves to an apple orchard

Michael Caine won the 2000 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Dr. Wilbur Larch in the film "The Cider House Rules" (1999).

Answer: How Green Was My Valley

The 1939 novel "How Green Was My Valley" was written by Richard Llewellyn. The story of the Morgan family is told from the point of view of youngest son Huw. Most of the family are forced to work in the dangerous coal mines, which claim the life of at least one. Set in the 19th century, the novel would later inspire several sequels.

For his role as Gwilym Morgan in the 1941 film "How Green Was My Valley", Donald Crisp won the 1942 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Answer: Ben-Hur

"Ben-Hur", subtitled "A Tale of the Christ", was published in 1880 by Lew Wallace and was one of the most popular novels published worldwide in the 19th century. Set during ancient times, Judah Ben-Hur was imprisoned when by accident he causes injury to the Roman Emperor. His former childhood friend Messala plays a role in Ben-Hur being imprisoned. Later, in one of the most famous scenes of the novel, Ben-Hur and Messala compete against each other in a chariot race, leaving Messala severely injured.

Stephen Boyd, playing Messala, won the 1960 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the film "Ben-Hur" (1959).

Answer: No Country for Old Men

Cormac McCarthy adapted the text of his 2005 novel "No Country for Old Men" from a potential screenplay he had written. Llewelyn Moss encounters the scene of a drug deal disaster. Taking a satchel full of money from the scene, he finds himself pursued through the rest of the novel, when his actions are witnessed by some of the survivors.

Javier Bardem would win the 2008 Academy Award for Best Support Actor for portraying Anton Chigurh in the 2007 film "No Country for Old Men".

Answer: The Paper Chase

John Jay Osborn, himself a then-recent law school graduate, was the author of the 1971 novel "The Paper Chase". The novel focuses on Hart, a law student, and his interactions with the intimidating Professor Kingsfield. To survive, Hart finds himself having to become increasingly immersed in Kingsfield's subject.

John Houseman would win the 1974 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Professor Kingsfield in the 1973 film "The Paper Chase".