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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. What happens to Colonel Ardenti in Chapter 24?

2. To whom does Aglie compare himself?

3. What was NOT one of the charges brought against the Knights Templar when they were arrested?

4. What is Agartha?

5. Why is Amparo so upset after the ritual?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Casaubon and Belbo overhear when they go to visit Aglie?

2. Why does Casaubon meet with Belbo and Mr. Garamond in Chapter 38?

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

4. What offer does Casaubon receive from Belbo in Chapter 37?

5. How is Signor Aglie described?

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

7. How do Belbo and Casaubon become involved with the police, in Chapter 24?

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

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

10. Why does Professor Bramanti meet with Mr. Garamond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the main characters' individual quests for knowledge and truth. How do Casaubon, Belbo and Diotallevi search for their version of the truth? What does each character, respectively, discover? What are the similarities and differences in each character's version of the truth? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

The Plan begins as a game, but eventually leads to the deaths of all four main characters. How does the Plan transform from a hobby, into a deadly reality? Why does Belbo begin to believe that the Plan is real? What message is the author trying to convey, via the deaths of these four characters? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

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