English I C.P.
M ETEA V ALLEY H IGH S CHOOL L ANGUAGE A RTS D EPARTMENT
Chapter One—An Unexpected Party
1. What is Gandalf’s reputation?
2. What kind of mark does Gandalf put on Bilbo’s door?
3. How many dwarves come to tea?
4. What does Thorin wear to distinguish himself from the other dwarves?
5. What two things does Gandalf give to Thorin?
6. How did the dwarves lose their treasure and kingdom?
Chapter Two—Roast Mutton
1. What are the terms of Bilbo’s contract?
2. How does Bilbo know that the three people are trolls?
3. How is Bilbo caught?
4. How does Gandalf rescue Bilbo and the dwarves?
5. What do they take from the trolls’ hoard?
Chapter Three—A Short Rest
1. Why is Rivendell hard to find?
2. When is Durin’s Day?
DePasquale/Main
The Hobbit Chapter Questions
Chapter Four—Over Hill and Under Hill
1. Why does the expedition take shelter in the cave?
2. Why isn’t Gandalf captured?
3. What do goblins usually do with their prisoners?
4. How does Gandalf rescue Bilbo and the dwarves?
Chapter Five—Riddles in the Dark
1. How does Bilbo know his sword was made by elves?
2. Why is it good that Bilbo lost his matches?
3. How does Gollum guess that Bilbo has his ring?
4. How do the goblins know that someone is at the gate?
5. Which of the dwarves is the most surprised to see Bilbo?
Chapter Six—Out of the Frying-Pan Into the Fire
1. How does Bilbo know he is on the east side of the Mountains?
2. What is the proverb that Bilbo invents?
3. Why does the Lord of the Eagles notice the expedition?
4. Why won’t the Eagles fly near where men live?
Chapter Seven—Queer Lodgings
1. What is a skin-changer?
2. What does Beorn eat?
3. How does Gandalf get Beorn to shelter thirteen dwarves?
4. Why isn’t Beorn interested in the dwarves’ tales?
5. What is the most important advice that Beorn and Gandalf give about Mirkwood?
Chapter Eight—Flies and Spiders
1. What do the dwarves shoot with their bows?
2. When Bilbo climbs the tree, why doesn’t he see an end to the forest?
3. What does Bombur dream of?
4. What does Bilbo name his sword?
5. How does Bilbo rescue the dwarves?
Chapter Nine—Barrels Out of Bond
1. How are the dwarves imprisoned?
2. How does Bilbo get in and out of the palace?
3. How many entrances does the palace have?
4. Where is the elves’ wine made?
Chapter Ten—A Warm Welcome
1. Why does the master welcome the expedition?
2. Why are the dwarves happy? Why is Bilbo unhappy?
3. What does the Elvenking think will happen to the dwarves?
4. What is the Master’s reaction when Thorin announces his departure?
Chapter Eleven—On the Doorstep
1. Why won’t the men of Lake-town stay with the dwarves?
2. Where does the expedition make each of their three camps?
3. Why does the door appear?
Chapter 12—Queer Lodgings
1. Bilbo believed that, “dwarves are not heroes, but calculating fold with a great idea of the value of money; some are
tricky and treacherous and pretty bad lots; some are not, but are decent enough people like Thorin and Company, if
you don’t expect too much.” Interpret the meaning in what Bilbo said and give some examples to support Bilbo’s
point of view. What help did Bilbo ask of the dwarves?
2. On page 212, the narrator says that”…he was a very different hobbit from the one that had run out without a pockethandkerchief from Bag-End long ago.” Describe how the little hobbit changed.
3. Make an inference as to why Bilbo Baggins was taking such risks when he had absolutely no use for the dragonguarded treasures. Was Bilbo courageous? What does it take to be courageous?
4. Explain why Bilbo stole the cup. Do you think it was a wise thing to do? Should he have waited and not stirred up
the dragon? Could the story have been quite different if he had had a plan to conquer the dragon?
5. How would you interpret Bilbo’s father’s proverb, “Every worm has his weak spot”? What is a proverb?
6. What techniques did Bilbo use on Smaug when he said, “O Smaug the Tremendous!…Smaug the Chiefest and
Greatest of Calamities?”
7. Describe how Bilbo was able to talk to Smaug without getting hurt. Explain what Bilbo meant when he said, “I am
the clue-finder, the web-cutter, the stinging fly. I was chosen for the lucky number…I am the friend of bears and the
guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwinner; and I am Barrel-rider.”
8. Why is it wise to use riddles with dragons?
9. What did you learn about dragons? Describe what character traits you would give to Smaug.
10. How was the dragon very much on target when he said, “…I will give you one piece of advice for you good: don’t
have more to do with dwarves than you can help…your job is to do all the dangerous work…And you will get a fair
share? Don’t you believe it…If you get off alive, you will be lucky”?
Chapter 13—Not at Home
1. Describe the character traits the treasure brought out in the dwarves. Make an inference as to why this occurred.
2. Make an inference as to Bilbo’s motives for slipping the Arkenstone into his pocket. What was his justification for
doing this and was he correct in what he did?
Chapter 14—Fire and Water
1. Explain why Smaug went off to the lake-town of Esgaroth.
2. Describe what kind of a leader was the master of Esgaroth.
3. Explain how the thrush knew about the dragon’s most vulnerable spot.
4. Explain the argument the Master presented to the people that he remain the town leader rather than King Bard. In
your opinion, and provide textual evidence to support your opinion, was he correct or not?
5. Describe Bard’s reaction after the defeat of the dragon and the destruction of the town. Compare this to that of the
Master’s actions?
6. What purpose did Bard have going to the elves for help?
Chapter 15—The Gathering of the Clouds
1. Explain how Bilbo and the dwarves were warned about the approaching treasure hunters.
2. Make an analysis of the advice Roac gave to the adventurers.
3. Make an inference as to why you think Thorin would not listen to Roac. Provide textual evidence to support your
claim.
4. Describe how the Lake-men and Bard approach Thorin and the dwarves.
5. Explain the argument Bard presented to Thorin and the dwarves. Explain, in detail, if his argument was sound.
6. What response did Thorin make? Infer as to how much you believe the Lake-men and elves would have shared if
the dwarves and Bilbo had been killed by the dragon?
7. Compare Bilbo’s feelings toward the treasure and the dragon’s den to that of Thorin and the dwarves. What did
Bilbo think the adventure was to be?
Chapter 16—A Thief of the Night
1. Describe Bilbo’s escape from the cave.
2. Explain Bilbo’s purpose in his escape from the cave.
3. What leverage did Bilbo have that made it possible to deal with Bard?
4. Why was Bilbo willing to give up the Arkenstone? Compare this generosity to that of other characters. (Were there
others that were or willing to be as generous as Bilbo?)
5. What unexpected friend or acquaintance did Bilbo discover in Bard’s camp? Explain what was said to Bilbo?
Chapter 17—The Clouds Burst
1. Explain why Thorin was so angry at Bilbo. Was he justified in his anger? Provide evidence to support your answer.
2. Describe the terms of Thorin and Bard’s agreement.
3. In the Battle of the Five Armies, describe the participants.
4. Explain what stopped Thorin’s advancement.
5. Give a description of what sight made Bilbo’s heart leap. Explain how these characters have helped in the past.
Chapter 18—The Return Journey
1. Explain why Bilbo was unable to be found until the day after the battle.
2. Who won the battle? Give an explanation how they were able to gain victory.
3. Make an analysis of the lessons Thorin had learned. Infer as to why you believe Thorin and Bilbo parted as friends.
Provide evidence for your response.
4. In your opinion, was it necessary for Thorin to die in this story? If you were the author, what other ending might
there have been?
Chapter 19—The Last Stage
1. When Bilbo returned home, he did not receive the response that he had thought. Describe how Bilbo was received
when he reached his hobbit-hole.
2. Analyze what Gandalf meant when he said, “You are not the hobbit that you were.”
3. Make an analysis of how Bilbo brought luck to the expedition.