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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. The owner of the villa allegedly possesses what mysterious items?

2. Why is Casaubon looking for a hiding spot, in Chapter 1?

3. To whom does Aglie compare himself?

4. What does Colonel Ardenti think the Holy Grail might actually be?

5. Who encouraged the rumors being spread about the Knights Templar?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is Signor Aglie described?

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

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

5. How did Casaubon, Belbo and Diotallevi meet?

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

7. What were the origins of the Knights Templar?

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

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

10. How does Aglie feel about Lorenza?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Lorenza, and her role as a symbol of knowledge. Why does Aglie call her Sophia? What does that name mean? How does she interact with the other characters, particularly Casaubon? How do her interactions with the other characters reflect their search for knowledge? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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