A Ladder to the Sky Quiz

Take our free A Ladder to the Sky quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Take the free quiz now!

Why does Maurice feel that ambition, like setting a ladder to the sky, is a waste of energy (309)? (from Part 3: Other People's Stories)

He feels that everyone in his life failed him in helping him succeed.

He thinks that you have to work too hard to reach your goals and it is emotionally and physically draining.

A ladder pointed to the sky has no end point that can be reached and every action becomes endless striving.

He feels that too many people along the way are trying to knock you down a few rungs.

Why does Erich tell Oskar that his painting of Alysse is almost pornographic in nature? (from Part 1: Before the Wall Came Down)

He is jealous of the passion that Oskar has captured both in real life and on the canvas.

He is worried that Oskar will get caught by the Nazis for painting a naked woman.

Her pose is highly suggestive and beckons the view to lust after her.

He thinks that the painting is merely sexual in nature and not very good.

Why does Maurice drink beginning at eight minutes past two every day? (from Part 3: Other People's Stories)

It is a chosen time that he keeps in order to maintain a strict routine.

This is the time of day that Daniel was born.

This is the exact time that Daniel died.

This is the exact time that he signed his contract for The Tribesman.

What is the significance of the Swallow's Nest in the novel? (from Interlude: The Swallow's Nest)

The home is situated high on a cliff overlooking everything in the area, just as Gore has reached great literary heights and is revered by many.

Gore likes to function as a mentor and mother bird to young writers.

There are large flocks of swallows on the grounds so Gore named the estate in their honor.

Male swallows choose a nest and then attract mates, much as Gore maintains his estate and attracts a flock of friends.

Why is Henrietta so upset with Maurice for rejecting her second story, if he published the first story that got her a book deal? (from Interlude: The Threatened Animal)

She feels the second story is even better than the first and thinks Maurice is losing his touch.

She needs the piece to be in Stori in order to publicize her novel.

Henrietta is worried that Maurice hates her and feels she needs his approval to survive in publishing.

Now that she is a published author, she expects Maurice to be delighted with all her work.