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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What job does Erich offer Maurice in Part I, Chapter 2?

2. In addition to being a writer, what other goal does Maurice have?

3. According to Maurice in Part I, Chapter 8, what was Erich as a youth?

4. Upon graduating college, where did Erich begin a teaching career?

5. What controversial book was Oskar reading when he and Erich first met?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Gore Vidal's first impressions of Maurice?

2. How does Maurice dash Erich's hopes in Part I, Chapter 7?

3. What signs show the changing nature of Erich and Maurice's relationship in Part I, Chapter 6?

4. According to Edith in Part II, Chapter 2, what happened to Erich and Dash?

5. What moves Erich to jealousy while he and Maurice are in Madrid?

6. What is the subject of Two Germans? What happens to Erich after its publication?

7. How does Erich meet Maurice, and what are his initial impressions of the young man?

8. What does Erich witness at the beginning of Part I, Chapter 5?

9. What does Maurice aspire to be? What obstacle does he face regarding his dream, and what advice does Erich offer him in Part I, Chapter 2?

10. How did Erich meet Oskar Gött?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the quest for fame and glory as evidenced by three characters in the novel. How does the quest for fame and glory impact the nature of art?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining the significance of the title of the novel, A Ladder to the Sky. How does the title reflect the main characters? How does the title reflect the novel’s themes? How does the title’s meaning change over the course of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the author’s choice to tell this story by using alternating perspectives. How does viewing the action through the eyes of multiple narrators affect the story? How do the various timelines affect the story? How would the book be different if the story was told through just one perspective?

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