Name________________________________Date___________Period____
The Pit and the Pendulum –Edgar Allan Poe
Part I
Directions: Choose the word that best completes the meaning of the sentence. Utilize
context clues!
Acrid
Avidity
Cadence
Frivolity
Gossamer
Inanition
Spasmodically
Unbidden
1. An ___________________ intruder, suspiciously made his way across the lawn of
Kim Kardashian.
2. The thunder clap had spooked the horse, causing it to run________________ around
the stable.
3. He could not be sure if his ________________ stemmed from the long hike or because
he hadn’t had breakfast.
4. The ___________________ odor of burnt gun powder filled the air after the pistol had
been fired.
5. The rhythmic ________________ of the drums signaled that the football team was fast
approaching the stadium.
6. The cast enjoyed a night of fun and __________________ after a spectacular
performance of Seussical.
7. His __________________ about making as much money as possible destroyed his
relationship with family and friends.
8. The spider's silk, ___________________ web glistened in the morning sunlight.
Part II
Directions: Answer the following questions, in complete sentences,
using support from the text.
1. The story opens with a Latin quotation that translates, “Here the wicked mob,
unappeased, long cherished a hatred of innocent blood. Now that the fatherland is
saved, and the cave of death demolished, where grim death has been, life and health
appear” (pg 69). Explain the passage and what it suggests about the story.
2. In the beginning of the story, does the narrator seem to be a reliable or unreliable
source? Explain why or why not.
3. The narrator says, “In death- no! Even in the grave all is not lost” (pg 70). What does
this comment say about his beliefs?
4. What does the narrator see and remember when he wakes up?
5. Describe what the prisoner can determine about his imprisonment.
6. What does the narrator discover when he falls? Why is he relieved?
7. After the narrator escapes the pit, the intended method of execution, he begins to fear
something. What is it and how is that fear intensified?
8. Even though food and water are provided, the water is drugged and the prisoner falls
asleep. Describe the prison he wakes up in.
9. Upon awakening, how does the narrator find himself positioned? What is on the
floor? What is positioned directly above the prisoner and what is it doing?
10. The prisoner is provided food without water. Why is the absence of water especially
torturous?
11. What hope does the prisoner have of escaping and why is this hope shattered?
12. How does Poe create suspense as the pendulum lowers?
13. How does the narrator escape the pendulum?
14. What starts to happen with the walls? What’s the purpose?
15. How do the images on the walls change? What do they symbolize?
16. The narrator is forced toward the center of the room to escape the torturous heat. The
narrator looks into the pit and writes:
Yet, for a wild moment, did my spirit refuse to comprehend the meaning of what I
saw. At length it forced- it wrestled its way into my soul- it burned itself upon my
shuddering reason. Oh! For a voice to speak! Oh! Horror! Oh! Any horror but
this! With a shriek, I rushed from the margin and buried my face in my handsweeping bitterly (pg 79-80).
Why is the interior of the pit not clearly described? Based on evidence from the story,
what is likely in the well?