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

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

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.

Based on her comment concerning Daniel's response to the gifts Jupiter gives him (240), what is Mrs. Lane's opinion of men? (from Interlude: The Threatened Animal)

She sees men as very gracious and thoughtful.

She views men as taking what they can from women and then casting them aside.

She believes men need to learn how to say thank you to women and appreciate them more.

She believes men need to learn to be kinder to women and give them gifts in return.

Why do the chapter titles in Part II change suddenly from naming individual months to the single word, "Now" (216)? (from Part 2: The Tribesman)

Edith is in a coma and she has no idea how long she has been in the hospital or what month it is.

The story is finally caught up to the present, so the last few months are all lumped into the phrase "now".

Because of the fall, Edith cannot really remember what month it is.

"Now" helps the reader to feel like the story is taking place right there with them.

Maurice's description of Theo "tapping the the tip of his index finger against his thumb rapidly, like a woodpecker attacking an oak tree" (296) is an example of which literary device? (from Part 3: Other People's Stories)

An allusion.

Personification.

A metaphor.

A simile.

What does it mean that Dash "heard the young man rising in the night as he went about the business of ambition" (115)? (from Interlude: The Swallow's Nest)

Dash heard Maurice working on his novel in his room during the night.

Dash was aware that Maurice got out of bed to propose a sexual encounter to Gore in hopes of gaining his favor.

Dash heard Maurice and Gore talking late into the night.

Dash heard Maurice head upstairs to the library to read and work.