The Pit and the Pendulum
by Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was a master of creating tension in his writings. Below is a passage from Poe’s short story, “The Pit and the Pendulum.” After reading the passage, the student will respond to questions on Poe's use of language and use context clues to understand word meanings.
Reading Comprehension Passage
The Pit and the Pendulum
by Edgar Allan Poe
Reading Comprehension Questions
Vocabulary List
Vocabulary List
Each of the vocabulary words below are used in the reading passage. As you read the passage, pay attention to context clues that suggest the word’s meaning.
- vigor
- pertinacity
- arrest
- frivolity
- frenzied
- predominant
- seized
- unceasingly
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1) Notwithstanding terrifically wide sweep (some thirty feet or more) and the hissing vigor of its descent, sufficient to sunder these very walls of iron…
a. decline b. mechanics c. strength d. weakness
2) And at this thought I paused. I dared not go farther than this reflection. I dwelt upon it with a pertinacity of attention—
a. fading b. persistent c. transient d. small amount
3) “…as if, in so dwelling, I could arrest here the descent of the steel.”
a. speed up b. slow down c. stop d. start
4) I pondered upon all this frivolity until my teeth were on edge.
a. importance b. insignificance c. confusion d. peculiarity
5) I took a frenzied pleasure in contrasting its downward with its lateral velocity.
a. frantic b. frozen c. worried d. freeing
6) I alternately laughed and howled as the one or the other idea grew predominant.
a. less powerful b. more powerful c. unreal d. real
7) Could I have broken the fastenings above the elbow, I would have seized and attempted to arrest the pendulum.
a. released b. broken c. grabbed d. collapsed
8) Down—still unceasingly—still inevitably down!
a. not slowing b. not stopping c. not speeding up d. not wavering