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!

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.

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

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

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

Whose stories does Maurice tell? (from Part 3: Other People's Stories)

He tells the stories belonging to Erich, Edith, Dash and Daniel.

He tells the story of every truly ambitious person in the literary world.

He tells not only his story, but those of Erich, Edith, Dash and Daniel.

He really only tells his own story.

When speaking of the coming war in Germany in 1939, to what does the metaphor, "the bellicose infant in the crib" (29) refer? (from Part 1: Before the Wall Came Down)

Those people ready and waiting for Germany to demonstrate her power and usurp control of other countries.

The people who complained about all the changes the Nazis were making in Germany.

People who make a great deal of political noise.

The noise from all the hungry babies because food was becoming scarce.

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

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

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

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.

Why does Erich want Maurice to travel with him on the book tour? (from Part 1: Before the Wall Came Down)

He hopes that Maurice will become enamored and engage in a sexual relationship with him.

He is in need of a personal assistant to help him while on tour.

He never had a son of his own and feels that Maurice could in some ways fulfill that role.

He wants to mentor Maurice because he sees that he has a great deal of talent.