superstitions
beginner
10 sample questions
Walking Under Ladders MCQ Practice Test
Avoiding triangular spaces and safety beliefs
Q1. A common explanation for the superstition that walking under a ladder brings bad luck is that a ladder leaning against a wall forms a triangle, which in Christian tradition symbolizes what?
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A. The Holy Trinity ✓
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B. The crown of thorns
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C. A ship's sail
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D. An hourglass
Explanation: One of the best-known explanations of the ladder superstition is that a ladder propped against a wall forms a triangle, traditionally a symbol of the Holy Trinity — walking through it 'breaks' the sacred trinity. Other folk explanations link the shape to the gallows.
Q2. In many cultures, walking under a ladder is believed to bring about a specific type of misfortune, often related to a person's 'good' fortune. What is this type of misfortune commonly referred to as?
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A. bad luck
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B. evil eye
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C. unlucky fate
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D. ill-starred fortune ✓
Explanation: The superstition surrounding walking under a ladder is often linked to the idea of incurring ill-starred fortune, which implies a person's luck or prosperity being adversely affected.
Q3. In many cultures, walking under a ladder is believed to bring about a specific type of misfortune, often related to the number of rungs on the ladder. What is this type of misfortune?
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A. a broken mirror
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B. a black cat crossing one's path
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C. seven years of bad luck ✓
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D. a year of poverty
Explanation: In many cultures, the number of rungs on a ladder is believed to correspond to the number of years of bad luck that will befall someone who walks under it.
Q4. What is the supposed reason why walking under a ladder is considered unlucky in some cultures?
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A. It is believed that the ladder leans against a cross, and disturbing it brings bad luck. ✓
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B. The ladder's shadow is thought to resemble a gallows, and walking under it is seen as a sign of impending doom.
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C. The act of walking under a ladder is thought to be a disruption of the ladder's ability to reach the heavens and connect with the divine.
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D. It is believed that the ladder is a symbol of the connection between the earth and the sky, and walking under it breaks this balance.
Explanation: In many cultures, ladders are often leaned against walls to form a cross-like shape. Walking under the ladder is seen as disturbing this cross, which is thought to bring bad luck.
Q5. In many cultures, walking under a ladder is considered to bring what?
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A. Good fortune
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B. Bad luck ✓
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C. A visit from a friendly ghost
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D. A gift from the ladder's owner
Explanation: Walking under a ladder is widely considered to bring bad luck in many cultures. This superstition has various origins, including religious beliefs and the shape of the ladder resembling a gallows.
Q6. In some cultures, walking under a ladder is believed to be an omen for a specific type of misfortune, which is associated with a particular body part.
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A. It will bring bad luck to your eyes.
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B. It will bring bad luck to your back. ✓
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C. It will bring bad luck to your feet.
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D. It will bring bad luck to your head.
Explanation: In some cultures, it is believed that walking under a ladder can bring bad luck to one's back, which is associated with the idea of being 'backed into a corner' or being trapped.
Q7. In many cultures, walking under a ladder is believed to bring about a specific type of misfortune. What is it?
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A. bad luck ✓
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B. spiritual awakening
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C. financial gain
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D. a curse from the gods
Explanation: In many cultures, walking under a ladder is believed to bring about bad luck. This superstition is thought to have originated from the fact that a ladder leaning against a wall forms a triangular shape that resembles a triangle, which is often associated with the Holy Trinity. Walking under the ladder was seen as a sign of disrespect to the Trinity, and thus, bad luck would follow.
Q8. According to popular superstition, how can you undo the bad luck of walking under a ladder?
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A. Walk backwards under the ladder again ✓
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B. Whistle three times
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C. Turn in a circle twice
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D. Knock on wood immediately
Explanation: Traditional folk remedies for walking under a ladder include walking backwards under it again, crossing your fingers until you see a four-legged animal, or spitting through the rungs — the backwards re-walk is the most commonly cited.
Q9. In many cultures, it is believed that walking under a ladder will bring about 🤴
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A. bad luck ✓
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B. good fortune
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C. neither good nor bad luck
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D. a sudden rain shower
Explanation: The superstition surrounding walking under a ladder is thought to have originated from the fact that a ladder leaning against a wall with its top step resting on the wall forms a triangle, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. Breaking this triangle by walking under the ladder is believed to be a sign of disrespect to the Trinity, thus bringing bad luck.
Q10. In many cultures, walking under a ladder is believed to bring about bad luck. However, some people believe that the bad luck is only triggered if the ladder is leaning against a specific object. What is this object?
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A. a wall
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B. a doorway ✓
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C. a power line
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D. a tree
Explanation: In some cultures, it is believed that walking under a ladder leaning against a doorway can bring about bad luck, as it is seen as a sign of impending doom or misfortune. This superstition is thought to have originated from the fact that doorways were often seen as thresholds between different realms or worlds, and walking under a ladder in such a location was thought to disrupt the balance between these realms.
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