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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. On his way to the ceremony, Casaubon observes members of what group of people?

2. Who is Lorenza?

3. Who is Colonel Ardenti?

4. Why does Belbo want Casaubon to meet Mr. Garamond, in Chapter 37?

5. To whom does Aglie compare himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are the Rosicrucians so difficult to research, compared to the Knights Templar?

2. What does Casaubon witness at the ceremonies Aglie invited him and his group to?

3. How did the official end of the Knights Templar occur?

4. How does Casaubon unlock Belbo's computer?

5. Why do Belbo, Diotallevi and Casaubon meet at Pilade's in Chapter 13?

6. What is the Plan?

7. What do Salon and Casaubon discuss during their first reunion in the mine?

8. What happens at the religious ceremony to which Aglie invites Casaubon and Amparo?

9. What is Aglie's response when Casaubon asks him why he associates himself with so many different occult practices?

10. How did the Knights Templar become such a rich and powerful organization?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The women in Casaubon's life have a great impact on him, and affect his search for knowledge in various ways. What is Amparo's background, and how does she feel about the occult? What does Casaubon learn from her? What is Lia's outlook on Casaubon's occult activities? What does Casaubon learn from her? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the pendulum as a symbol. What does it represent? Why is the novel named after it? What role does it play in the lives of the main characters? How does the author seem to feel about it? What is the significance of Belbo being hanged from it, and the double pendulum that creates? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Lia suggests that God, Synarchy and many other occult traditions in the novel are really all the same thing. Why does she suggest this? What do all belief systems and traditions have in common? Why does she feel that people need to have something in which to believe? Do you agree with her assessments? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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