The Apartment
by Billy Wilder
About_
The Apartment is a 1960 film written and directed by Billy Wilder, blending comedy and drama to explore themes
of loneliness, moral compromise, and romance in 1950s New York City. The story follows C.C. Baxter, a lowly
insurance clerk who lends his apartment to executives for their extramarital affairs in exchange for career
promotions, only to have his life upended when he falls for Fran Kubelik, an elevator operator caught in a painful
affair with his boss. This study guide contains 78 questions across 6 chapter sections (60 Factual + 18 Critical), 1
Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity.
What’s Included_
This study guide features 6 sets of 10 Factual Questions with an answer key (60 total), 6 sets of 3 Critical Analysis
Questions (18 total), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity (8 traits + evidence prompt +
critical thinking question).
Target Grades_
Grades 8-10
Teacher Note_
This study guide is designed to help your students engage deeply with The Apartment’s rich characters, moral
dilemmas, and sharp social commentary. By combining factual recall with critical analysis, it builds both
comprehension and higher-order thinking skills while saving you valuable preparation time. Use it to spark
meaningful classroom discussions about integrity, loneliness, and what it truly means to be a good person.