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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which pair of dwarves are the youngest?

2. What does Bilbo take from the trolls' hoard of loot?

3. What does Bilbo see at nightfall as they travel towards Mirkwood?

4. What does Bilbo not tell the dwarves about his adventures inside the tunnels?

5. Who is the first dwarf to arrive at Bilbo's house in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Gandalf instruct the dwarves to arrive two by two at five-minute intervals?

2. What strategy does Bilbo use to try to win the riddle contest (not including his final "What have I got in my pocket?" question)?

3. What is special about the swords that Gandalf and Thorin took from the trolls' hoard of plunder?

4. What accident do the travelers experience in Chapter 6 that turns out to be in their favor?

5. Why does Bilbo believe that there is no end to the forest after he climbs up the tall oak to have a look around?

6. Why do the goblins take the adventurers prisoner, and what fate do the goblins intend for them?

7. What does Gandalf leave on Bilbo's door after Bilbo invites him to tea in Chapter 1?

8. Describe Beorn in your own words.

9. Why do the adventurers take shelter in the cave in Chapter 4?

10. Describe in your own words how the riddle contest between Bilbo and Gollum was played and what the winner of the contest would win.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bilbo's character is described as having a "Baggins" side and a "Tookish" side, both of which struggles for dominance inside him.

Part 1: Describe Bilbo's "Baggins" part of his nature.

Part 2: Describe the "Tookish" side of Bilbo's nature.

Part 3: Choose an incident (apart from the start of the book) where the two sides of his nature seem to be in conflict. Which side wins?

Essay Topic 2

In his original drafts of The Hobbit, Tolkien planned for Bilbo to be the one to kill Smaug, using his magic ring and his elvish sword. However, in the final version, Smaug is killed by Bard the Bowman as he harries the town of Esgaroth (Laketown). Why do you think Tolkien made this decision? Would his original idea been a better resolution of the plot and why?

Essay Topic 3

Song and poems are often significant in The Hobbit. Choose two of the songs or poems that you believe to be particularly important and explain their significance in detail. Ways that a song or poem can be significant may include foreshadowing, revealing character, developing a theme or explaining background.

(see the answer keys)

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