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The Hobbit Analysis Questions
Reading Comprehension Use the excerpt from The Hobbit (pp 424-425) to answer 1-12.
_____ 1. Which of these best describes the setting of “Flies and Spiders”?
a. Gloomy tunnel
c. Squirrel-filled park
b. Large, dense forest
d. Waterless dessert
_____ 2. The description in paragraph 1 and 2 creates a mood of –
a. unease because the stillness and darkness seem abnormal
b. happiness because the travelers are going for a walk
c. quiet because the leaves muffle footsteps
d. crowdedness because the path is so narrow
_____ 3. How does the description of the sunlight in paragraph 2 reflect the travelers’ conflict?
a. The sun shows sneakiness by slipping through the leaves.
b. The sun is lucky to reach the ground, just as the travelers are lucky.
c. The sun seems threatening to the travelers when it stabs down through the leaves.
d. The sun is soon defeated by the darkness, which hints at what will happen to the travelers.
_____ 4. The way the characters react to the setting reveals –
a. that they are excited by the prospect of an adventure
b. that they are confident that they will get through the forest
c. that they are comfortable with the closeness of their surroundings
d. that they are disturbed by the dark stuffiness of the forest
_____ 5. The phrase “grunts, scufflings, and hurryings” in paragraph 3 appeals to the sense of –
a. hearing
c. smell
b. sight
d. touch
_____ 6. In paragraph 3, which is the best way to paraphrase Bilbo’s experience with the noises?
a. Bilbo was startled by the scuffling noises the squirrels made.
b. The leaves were piled so thick that they muffled all sound.
c. Bilbo heard strange noises but couldn’t get a good look at what made them.
d. Strange animals rushed through the undergrowth, grunting, and scuffling.
_____ 7. The image of cobwebs in paragraph 3 suggests –
a. ropes hanging from trees
b. a trap about to spring
c. woven fabric
d. a work of art
_____ 8. Which is the best way to paraphrase the sentence that describes Bilbo’s experience at night in paragraph 5?
a. They slept crowded together, and when it was Bilbo’s turn to watch, he could see pairs of yellow or red or
green eyes staring at him.
b. They slept crowded together, and yellow or red or green eyes stared at Bilbo, then faded and shone out again
elsewhere.
c. When it was Bilbo’s turn, pairs of yellow or red or green eyes stared at him.
d. When they slept crowded together, pairs of yellow or red or green eyes stared at Bilbo.
_____ 9. The image of the eyes in paragraph 5 creates a mood of –
a. eager expectation
c. curiosity and interest
b. admiration for their beauty
d. fear and anxiety
_____ 10. The details about strange noises, extraordinarily thick cobwebs, and watching eyes suggest that –
a. the travelers are looking for trouble
b. other travelers are lost in the forest
c. strange creatures are watching the travelers
d. the forest is a very noisy place
_____ 11. Which is an example of imagery in paragraph 6 used to describe moths?
a. Worse still
b. flapping and whirring
c. black as a top
d. uncanny
_____ 12. The stream crossing the path when the travelers are mostly thirsty is ironic because –
a. the travelers are relieved to finally find water
b. the water does not look good to drink
c. the water is moving too fast for the travelers to catch in their skins
d. the travelers have been warned not to drink the water and must remain thirsty.
Vocabulary Use your knowledge of connotation and denotation to answer the following questions.
_____ 13. The denotation of scuttling in paragraph 3 is “running hastily.” Which word below best describes its connotation?
a. Celebrating
c. Jumping with joy
b. Escaping
d. Sneaking
_____ 14. What connotation does extraordinarily have in paragraph 3?
a. hopefully
c. typically
b. surprisingly
d. usefully
_____ 15. The author uses the word huddled in paragraph 5 with a connotation of –
a. Coziness
c. Privacy
b. Fear
d. Warmth
_____ 16. What connotation does enormous have in paragraph 6?
a. Generous
c. Ordinary
b. Irritating
d. Overwhelming
_____ 17. Based on the context clues in paragraph 3, inquisitive means –
a. curious
c. fearful
b. far-seeing
d. pale
_____ 18. Which words give the strongest clue to the meaning of bulbous in paragraph 5?
a. He liked the least
c. Insect eyes
b. Horrible pale
d. Much too big
_____ 19. Which words give the strongest clue to the meaning of provisions in paragraph 7?
a. hungry, food
c. always, same
b. age, days
d. careful, anxious
_____ 20. Based on the context clues in paragraph 8, skins means –
a. containers
c. hands
b. fur coats
d. money
Short Analytical Response Answer the question below according to SAR format.
Why was night the most difficult time for the travelers? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.
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