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Selectio n Rev iew # 1
T he H o b b i t
C h a p ter s 1-3
1. What are the two sides of Bilbo’s personality? What role do these two sides play in his
feelings about the dwarves’ adventure? The two sides of Bilbo’s personality come from the
two sides of his family, the Tooks and the Bagginses. His Baggins side is very ordinary, respectable and predictable. It likes things to be orderly and comfortable. However, the Took
side of Bilbo’s personality is more mysterious, daring, and adventurous. The Baggins side of
Bilbo wishes that the dwarves had never come barging into his house with their crazy talk of
mountains and dragons. However, his Took side is thrilled with their songs of faraway places.
It leads him to decide that he will show the dwarves that he can indeed be a fierce and daring
“burglar” when the need arises.
2. Describe the dwarves and tell where they come from. What is their goal? The dwarves are
underground craftsmen in precious metals and stone. They once lived with a huge amount of
treasure under a Mountain far to the east. A terrible dragon stole their treasure, killed their
families, and destroyed the countryside around the Mountain. They are returning to the Mountain to take revenge on the dragon and recover the treasure.
3. Who is Gandalf? What is his relationship to the dwarves? What part does he expect Bilbo
to play in their plan? Gandalf is a famous, powerful wizard. The dwarves consider him their
friend and counselor. They asked him to find a fourteenth person to join them since they think
thirteen is unlucky. Bilbo was Gandalf’s choice. Gandalf sees possibilities in Bilbo that he
himself is not aware of. He calls Bilbo a “burglar” because he expects Bilbo to cleverly help
the dwarves to steal their treasure back.
4. Describe the settings of the first three chapters. In what ways is Bilbo’s world different
from our world? In what ways is it similar? The setting of the first chapter is Bilbo Baggins’
comfortable home, a cozy, well-stocked hole in the ground. Most of the second chapter is set
in a wild, frightening forest on a dismal, rainy night. The third chapter takes us to the warm,
safe home of Elrond in Rivendell, the last place of safety before the Misty Mountains. All of the
story is set long, long ago in a fantasy world peopled by such magical beings as dwarves,
wizards, elves, trolls, goblins and of course hobbits. The magic makes their world different
from ours. However, it is also similar to ours in many ways. The characters’ feelings and behavior toward one another have all the good and bad moments of relationships between people in the real world. The characters also have to deal with everyday problems, such as
dishwashing and gloomy rainy days. Just as natural laws govern our world, their magic also
works within definite limits.
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5. How do Bilbo’s mistakes bring on trouble with the trolls? How are the travelers rescued? When Bilbo discovers the trolls, he decides to prove his skill as a burglar instead of
going back to warn the dwarves of danger. The purse he tries to steal begins to talk and
alerts the trolls. Soon the dwarves are all captured and Bilbo is trapped in a tree. Gandalf
returns and rescues them by mimicking the trolls’ voices. He keeps them quarrelling
amongst themselves until dawn comes and turns them to stone.
6. What important things do the travelers learn at Rivendell? How might these discoveries help them in the future? At Rivendell, the travelers learn that the swords they found in
the trolls’ cave are magical swords made to fight goblins. They are glad to hear this since
they expect trouble with goblins on their journey. They also learn that there is more secret
writing on Thorin’s map. This writing gives them mysterious instructions about how to
enter the secret door to the dragon’s cave under the Mountain.
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Selectio n Rev iew # 2
T he H o b b i t
C h a p ter s 4-6
1. Give examples of some of the onomatopoeic words used to describe the goblins. What do
these words suggest about the goblins’ nature? How do the goblins capture Bilbo and
the dwarves, and how do the travelers escape from them? The writer describes the goblins
using onomatopoeic words like snap, grab, crash, crush, smash, yammering, and jabbering.
These words suggest that the goblins are noisy, violent, cruel, and destructive. The goblins
open a crack in the back wall of the cave where Bilbo and the dwarves are hiding, and take
them all prisoner. The travelers escape when Gandalf, who has been following them, blinds
the goblins with a flash from his magic wand.
2. Describe the creature that Bilbo encounters at the underground lake. Why does he want
to play a riddle game with Bilbo? How does he react when Bilbo wins the game? When
Bilbo reaches the underground lake, he encounters Gollum, a horrible slimy creature that
lives on an island and eats fish and young goblins when he can catch them. Gollum offers to
play a riddle game with Bilbo because he wants to find out more about him without facing
his magical sword. When Bilbo wins, however, he is furious. He decides to put on a magic
ring that makes him invisible so that he can kill Bilbo.
3. Why does Bilbo have Gollum’s ring? How does it help him to escape the cave? Why is
finding the ring a “turning point” in Bilbo’s career? Bilbo found the ring when he was
crawling through the tunnels in the dark. He put it in his pocket and later asked Gollum what
was in his pocket to win the riddle game. When Gollum tries to catch Bilbo to kill him, Bilbo
slips on the ring and Gollum goes past without seeing him. Bilbo follows Gollum to the goblins’ back door. When the goblins try to catch him, he puts the ring on again and manages to
slip out through the crack of the heavy stone door. Finding the ring is a turning point in
Bilbo’s career since it will help him to become a good “burglar,” as the dwarves expect him
to be.
4. Why doesn’t Bilbo tell the dwarves and Gandalf about finding the magic ring? Why is this
disturbing? Bilbo does not tell the others about the magic ring because he enjoys having a
secret magical power that they do not know about. He also enjoys making them think that he
could escape from Gollum and the goblins thanks to his own cleverness and skill. However,
in order to keep up this act Bilbo has to lie to his friends. This dishonesty is disturbing because Bilbo has always been honest in the past.
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Selecti on Rev i ew # 3
T he H o b b it
C h a p te r s 7-8
1. Why and how does Gandalf take precautions to avoid annoying Beorn? In what ways is
Beorn’s point of view both similar to and different from that of the dwarves? How does
Beorn help them on their journey? Gandalf is careful not to annoy Beorn because he is a
very large, powerful man who can change into an enormous bear when he wants to. Although
Beorn is warm-hearted, he has a quick temper. For these reasons Gandalf introduces the
party of travelers to him gradually. He warns Bilbo and the dwarves not to mention anything
to do with furs in Beorn’s presence because Beorn is a lover of animals. Gandalf also warns
the travelers to stay in the house at night, when Beorn is out prowling in the form of a bear.
Like the dwarves, Beorn hates evil creatures such as goblins and wolves, but he does not
share the dwarves’ love of treasure. However, Beorn helps the travelers on their way by lending them ponies to ride, giving them generous provisions of food and water, and offering them
valuable advice.
2. Explain why Bilbo and the dwarves feel so upset when they reach Mirkwood. What warnings were they given about going through the enchanted forest? The travelers feel depressed when they reach Mirkwood because it is a place of gloom and death. They are sorry
they have to send the borrowed ponies back to Beorn, and Gandalf tells them he is leaving
them just as they reach what seems to be the most dangerous part of their journey. The
travelers have been warned to stay on the path through the forest at any cost, and not to
drink or bathe in the black stream that crosses the path.
3. How does Bombur’s accident at the stream make the travelers’ journey more difficult?
Why do they decide to leave the path in spite of Gandalf and Beorn’s warnings? Why is
this ironic? When the travelers cross the enchanted stream, Bombur accidentally falls in. He
falls into a deep sleep and the other dwarves have to carry or drag him through the forest
with them for several days. The travelers decide to leave the path because they are out of
food and terribly hungry. Bombur wakes up and tells them he dreamed about a wonderful
feast in the forest, so when the dwarves see lights among the branches, they (wrongly) think
that Bombur’s dream is coming true. They also believe (mistakenly) that they are far from
the forest’s edge because they sent Bilbo up a tree to look, and he reported that the forest
went on as far as he could see. The travelers decide to take their chances by leaving the
path rather than face starvation by staying on it. The travelers’ decision is ironic because it
is based on several badly mistaken ideas.
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4. List the personal qualities, skills, and magical powers that Bilbo uses to rescue the
dwarves from the spiders. How does this change the way Bilbo, and the dwarves, feel
about the hobbit’s abilities? In rescuing the dwarves from the spiders, Bilbo shows personal qualities of courage and quick-mindedness. He also uses his skill with words and in
throwing stones, along with his magical sword and ring. The rescue gives the dwarves a
new appreciation for Bilbo’s resourcefulness and bravery. Bilbo himself begins to feel
more and more like a true “burglar.”
5. Explain why the elf-king imprisons Thorin in his dungeon. Why is this ironic? The elfking imprisons Thorin because he considers dwarves his enemies. He is also suspicious
because Thorin, who does not want to share any of the treasure with the elves, refuses to
explain what the dwarves were doing in the forest. This is ironic because the travelers successfully escaped evil creatures such as giant spiders. However, because of greed and
pride, Thorin has become a prisoner of the elves, who are basically good.
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Selectio n Rev i ew # 4
T he H o b b it
C h a p te r s 9-12
1. Describe Bilbo’s life in the Elvenking’s palace. How does he use the information he
learns to help the dwarves escape? Bilbo uses his magic ring most of the time that he is in
the Elvenking’s palace. He remains invisible and wanders around, learning where the
dwarves (including Thorin) are imprisoned. He also learns about the trapdoor under the cellar of the palace where the elves receive barrels of good from the men at the Lake-town
down the river. Bilbo helps the dwarves escape by packing them into the empty barrels that
are being sent back down the river to Lake-town.
2. Describe Lake-town. Tell about its history and present situation. Lake-town is a town built
on wooden pilings out over the waters of the lake itself. It is connected to the shore by a long
bridge. Many years ago, before the coming of the dragon, Lake-town was a wealthy port handling trade with the dwarves under the Mountain and the town of Dale that was near the
Mountain. Lake-town is no longer as prosperous as it was before the destruction of Dale, but
it still survives on trade from the south and commerce with the elves. The dragon is seldom
seen, and some of the younger people do not really believe it exists. The memory of the old
days is kept alive in songs and legends, but many only half believe that these are true.
3. What kind of welcome are the dwarves given at Lake-town? How do the Master of Laketown and the elf-king feel about the dwarves’ mission to recover the treasure? The
dwarves are warmly welcomed in Lake-town, since many of the people believe that the return of dwarves under the Mountain will lead to good times for Lake-town as well. The Master of Lake-town, however, does not really believe the dwarves’ story. He expects that the
dragon will destroy them, but at the same time, he intends to benefit if the dwarves really do
recover the treasure. The elf-king also learns what the dwarves’ mission is and plans to have
a part of the treasure if they succeed.
4. Why have the dwarves lost their enthusiasm by the time they reach the Mountain? How
does Bilbo help them to find the secret door into the Mountain? The dwarves lose their
enthusiasm because the Mountain is a grim, barren place. The scorched earth and trees remind them of the dragon, and they feel hopeless and discouraged. Bilbo, however, insists
that they look for the secret door and that they move their camp there when it is found. He
also alerts them when the prophecy of “Durin’s Day” is fulfilled, so they can use the magic
key to open the secret tunnel.
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5. How does Bilbo show his courage, intelligence, and leadership after the secret door is
opened? What possible mistakes does he make? After the secret door is opened, Bilbo
courageously goes into the heart of the Mountain to find the treasure. He also shows
courage, intelligence, and leadership when he tells the dwarves to hide in the passageway
when Smaug comes out of the Mountain. Bilbo again shows courage and intelligence
when he goes back down the passage to spy on Smaug and exchanges riddles and flattery
with the dragon. Finally, Bilbo once more exercises leadership when he insists that the
dwarves close the door to the passageway only moments before Smaug attacks the mountainside. One possible mistake that Bilbo makes is stealing the two-handled cup, because
this act angers Smaug and alerts him to the fact that his enemies are close by. Another
possible mistake occurs when Bilbo calls himself a Barrel-rider. This draws the dragon’s
attention and anger to the Lake-town. Finally, Bilbo makes the mistake of letting the
dragon make him mistrust his fellow travelers, the dwarves.
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Selecti on Rev i ew # 5
T he H o b b it
C h a p te r s 13-19
1. How does Smaug punish the people of Lake-town for helping the dwarves? How does
Bard help to save the townspeople? Smaug flies over and sets fire to the town. Bard sees
him coming and warns the townspeople so that most of them escape, though some die later.
He also leads the archers who shoot at Smaug. As a descendant of the ancient lords of Dale,
he understands the old thrush. He shoots Smaug in the open spot on his chest, killing him.
He leads efforts to rebuild the town, and sends to the elves for help.
2. Why does Bard believe Thorin should share part of the treasure with him and the other
townspeople? Why does Thorin refuse to do so? Bard wants Thorin to share the treasure
for several reasons. First, it was Bard who killed the dragon. Second, part of the treasure
was stolen from Bard’s ancestors, the lords of Dale, long ago. Third, when the dwarves
stirred up Smaug’s anger, the lake people suffered terribly. Fourth, the lake people were very
kind to the dwarves when they first came. Thorin, however, accepts no responsibility for
Smaug’s destructive acts. He refuses to negotiate with armed men, or with anyone if the
elves are present. Thorin is driven by pride and greed for the treasure.
3. Why does Bilbo feel guilty about taking the Arkenstone? How does he try to use it to
avoid war between the dwarves, elves, and men? Why is this effort unsuccessful? Bilbo
feels guilty about taking the Arkenstone because he took it sneakily. He knew that it was
part of Thorin’s heritage and very precious to him. Bilbo tries to make the best of the situation by giving the Arkenstone to Bard for his negotiations with Thorin. He hopes this will help
avoid bloodshed. Bilbo has good intentions, but Thorin is furious that he took the stone. Although he makes a bargain with Bard, he does not plan to keep it. He hopes to recover the
stone by force when his cousin Dain and 500 warrior dwarves arrive.
4. How does the goblins’ arrival lead the dwarves, men, and elves to make peace? How
does this battle bring out the best in Thorin? Whose help finally brings about a victory?
When the goblins appear, the dwarves, men, and elves realize that their quarrel over the
treasure is unimportant compared to this evil threat. They join forces to fight the goblins and
wolves. Thorin shows great courage and leadership. However, the forces of good are about to
lose the battle when the Eagles come. Thanks to the Eagles’ help and that of Beorn, the goblins and wolves are finally destroyed or driven away.
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5. How does the great battle change Thorin’s attitude and that of the other heroes? How
does this change reflect the themes of the novel? After the battle, Thorin is about to die.
He apologizes to Bilbo and admits that the love of treasure can be dangerous. The other
dwarves, men, and elves are content with their share and want to make sure that the others receive their part. This change reflects several themes of the novel. One is that evil is
not only outside of us, but inside us as well. Another theme is that the love of riches and
beautiful things can be a dangerous trap. A third theme is that material wealth is of little
importance compared to the riches of friendship, loyalty, and hospitality.
6. How do you know that The Hobbit is a work of fantasy? Fantasy is fiction based on pure
imagination. It may include an imaginary setting, imaginary creatures, and magical events.
The setting of The Hobbit is a mythical, imaginary world called Middle Earth. Hobbits,
dwarves, elves, wizards, trolls, goblins and dragons are all imaginary creatures. Many have
magical powers and abilities. Examples include a magic wand, a ring that makes people
invisible, the ability to change into a bear, and the ability to fly and breathe fire. These
facts clearly show that The Hobbit is a work of fantasy.
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Name:
L itera tu r e Te st # 1
T he H o b b it
Ch ap te r s 1–3
1. Contrast the Baggins and the Took sides of Bilbo’s personality. How do these two sides contribute to his mixed feelings about joining the dwarves’ adventure?
2. Why do the dwarves want to return to the Mountain? What roles are Gandalf and Bilbo expected to play in their plan?
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3. List two important things that the dwarves learn at Rivendell. How will these discoveries
help them in their adventure?
4. How do the settings of the first three chapters differ from one another? Compare and contrast Tolkien’s fantasy world with our real, everyday world.
98
Name:
L itera tu r e Te st # 2
T he H o b b it
Ch ap te r s 4-6
1. What are onomatopoeic words? How does the use of onomatopoeia help us understand
what the goblins are like? Give some examples.
2. Describe Gollum and his way of life. Why does he invite Bilbo to play a riddle game with him?
Why does he become angry at the end of the game?
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3. What is special about the ring Bilbo found in the tunnel? How does it help him escape from
the cave? What is wrong with the way Bilbo describes his escape to Gandalf and the
dwarves?
4. Why does Gandalf throw burning pine cones at the wolves? How do the goblins turn the situation to their own advantage? Describe the travelers’ last-minute rescue.
100
Name:
L itera tu r e Tes t # 3
T he H o b b it
Ch ap te r s 7-8
1. Describe Beorn. In the Venn diagram below, show differences and similarities between
Beorn’s concerns and the concerns of the dwarves.
Dwarves
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
__________________________
_________________________
Beorn
Both
_________________
___________________
___________________
______________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
____________________________
__________________________
2. What warnings do the travelers receive about going through Mirkwood? Which warning do
they decide to ignore, and why? Explain why this is ironic.
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3. Bilbo uses personal as well as magical resources to rescue the dwarves from the giant spiders. List any four qualities, skills, or powers that he uses in this rescue. Explain how the rescue affects the dwarves’ opinion of Bilbo.
4. Explain why Thorin is imprisoned in the elves’ dungeon. Why is this ironic?
102
Name:
L itera tu r e Tes t # 4
T he H o b b it
Ch ap te r s 9-12
1. Explain how Bilbo helps the dwarves escape from the elf-king.
2. Describe the welcome the dwarves receive from the people of Lake-town. What are the true
feelings of the Master of Lake-town about the dwarves and their mission?
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3. What qualities in Bilbo make the dwarves begin to look to him for direction? List at least
three specific instances in which Bilbo shows one or more of these qualities.
4. Describe one mistake or possible mistake that Bilbo makes in his dialogue with the dragon,
Smaug. What negative consequences do you think this mistake might have?
104
Name:
Literatu r e Te st # 5
T he H o b b it
Ch ap te r s 13-19
1. Describe Bard’s efforts to save the town from Smaug’s attack. How successful is he? Explain.
2. Give at least two reasons why Bard feels that the dwarves should share a part of the treasure. What are the real reasons behind Thorin’s refusal to do so?
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3. Explain why it was wrong for Bilbo to take the Arkenstone, how he tries to make it right, and
why this effort does not succeed.
4. How does the goblins’ attack change the attitude of the dwarves, men, and elves, toward
one another and toward the treasure? What change does the battle bring about in Thorin?
5. List at least two typical characteristics of fantasy, and show how they are found in The Hobbit.
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Name:
Vocabu la r y Tes t # 1
T h e H o b b it
C ha p te r s 1–3
WRITE SENTENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS:
prosperous
audacious
inquisitive
extraordinary
ingenious
provisions
grim
prudent
venerable
outlandish
107
Name:
Vocabu la r y Tes t # 2
T he H o bb i t
C h a p te r s 4-6
WRITE SENTENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS:
infested
menacingly
tumult
subterranean
incline
precipice
groping
onslaught
famished
intervals
108
Name:
Vocabu la r y Tes t # 3
T h e H o b b it
C ha p te r s 7-8
WRITE SENTENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS:
appalling
wholesome
infuriate
perish
dismay
wary
intently
consult
consequently
stealthily
109
Name:
Vocabu la r y Tes t # 4
T he H o bb i t
C h a p te r s 9-12
WRITE SENTENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS:
nimble
attribute
devastating
potent
circuitous
dubious
adjoining
treacherous
foreboding
insignificant
110
Name:
Vocabu la r y Tes t # 5
T h e H o b b it
C ha p te r s 13-19
WRITE SENTENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS:
perpetually
recompense
heedless
eminent
foremost
restrain
obtained
withhold
extravagant
reconciliation