Name: ________________________________________________ Date: ____________ Class: _______
The Hobbit
Reading Questions
Chapter 14
1. Who is Bard of Esgaroth? How is he able to kill Smaug?
2. Why does Tolkien postpone the news of Smaug’s death until Chapter 14?
3. How does the Master prove to be a poor leader in this chapter?
4. Why would Bard make a better leader than the Master?
5. How do the elves react to the news of Lake-town’s destruction?
6. What plan do the men at arms form at the end of the chapter? What incentive do they have for
making such a plan?
Chapter 15
7. What function to the plot is served by the raven Roac?
8. What preparations do the dwarves make after they hear news of the approaching men and elves?
9. What are Bard’s arguments for claining a share of Thorin’s treasure?
10. How does Thorin react to Bard’s arguments? Why does he react this way?