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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. Lorenza claims that Aglie believes she is really a character from what mythology?

2. What is the name of Casaubon's Milanese neighbor?

3. Why is Belbo wary about going to the party Lorenza invites him to?

4. What happened to the leader of the Knights Templar?

5. What is The Plan?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Casaubon unlock Belbo's computer?

2. How did Casaubon, Belbo and Diotallevi meet?

3. What are the origins of the religious traditions of Brazil, according to Aglie's discussion with Casaubon and Amparo?

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

5. How is Signor Aglie described?

6. What does Belbo tell Casaubon during their phone call two days before the museum rendezvous?

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

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

9. Who is Casaubon?

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

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

Casaubon misses out on a lot of time with his wife and child as a result of his occult studies, despite the fact that his wife constantly tries to bring him back to them. Why does he prefer the Plan and other students of the occult to his own family? What is he seeking, that is so important? What sacrifices does he make, during his search for truth, and how do his sacrifices affect his family? 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.

(see the answer keys)

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