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 Nicholas come to visit Edith in the hospital after hours? (from Part 2: The Tribesman)

He wanted Edith all to himself and not have to share her with other visitors.

Maurice did not allow any of the students to come visit Edith.

Nicholas was not able to come during regular hours because of school.

The special relationship they shared was unknown to anyone, so he wanted to keep it that way.

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

She sees men as very gracious and thoughtful.

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

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

Why does Maurice need to suppress his memories of his school days which are triggered by seeing the abacus in the principal's office? (from Interlude: The Threatened Animal)

He has discounted his school days as a waste of time and does not want to dwell on them.

He is afraid that thinking about the past might cause him to become aroused in the principal's office.

He knows he needs to focus on the present and manage the sticky situation at hand.

He knows the memories might make him uncontrollably angry.

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.

Because of the fall, Edith cannot really remember 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".

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

Why does Gore tell Howard they should get rid of the bed in the guest room the morning after Maurice has slept in it? (from Interlude: The Swallow's Nest)

Gore was eager to redecorate and thought they should begin in the guest room.

The bed was getting old and falling apart.

Maurice had obviously not slept well in it since he was up wandering the halls the previous night.

He is disgusted with Maurice and wants to get rid of any semblance or reminder of him.