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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. What does Thorin take as armor and weapons from the hoard of Smaug's treasure?

2. What do the dwarves suggest that Bilbo should do when they begin to despair of being able to open the secret door in Chapter 11?

3. What is the name of the hill close to where the dwarves and Bilbo make their first camp approaching the Lonely Mountain?

4. Who does Bilbo meet unexpectedly in the camp of the elves and Lakemen?

5. In Chapter 12, who volunteers to come some of the way down the tunnel with Bilbo?

Short Essay Questions

1. Upon what does Bard the Bowman base his claim to a share of the dragon's treasure?

2. What details are given in Chapter 11 as hints to an alert reader that the one chance of finding the keyhole is about to present itself?

3. What is the dwarves' original plan or strategy?

4. Why does only the Black Arrow shot by Bard manage to kill Smaug while all other arrows are harmless?

5. What is the cause of most of the casualties resulting from Smaug's attack on Esgaroth (Laketown)?

6. Why does Bombur remain in the lower camp with the ponies and supplies in Chapter 11?

7. What dreams or legends do the Lakemen have regarding the King Under the Mountain and Smaug?

8. Why does Thorin refuse to share the treasure with Bard and his allies and treat them with hostility?

9. What advice does Roac the raven give to Thorin in this Chapters 15 & 16?

10. Why does the dwarves' imprisonment turn out to be a lucky accident?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When an author has a large number of characters involved in most of the action of the plot and usually appearing as a group, giving individuals within that group can be difficult. How has Tolkien managed to make the dwarves into distinct characters? Are any of the dwarves "undistinguished" and lacking in individuality?

Essay Topic 2

In the action of The Hobbit, Bilbo changes from being a soft and timid hobbit to being a character of wisdom and courage. Several key events and incidents go towards changing and developing him. Identify at least three of these "turning points" and explore each one. For each "turning point," explain what the turning point was and how it changed Bilbo in some way, or how it marked a milestone in Bilbo's development.

Essay Topic 3

In his essay on "fairy stories" (what we would call fantasy stories) called "On Fairy-Stories," Tolkien claimed that all good fairy tales contain what he calls a "eucatastrophe," a moment or "turn" of victory, success and climax that gives the listener/reader a sharp pang of joy and consolation, along with the knowledge that all will be well in spite of the hardships that have gone before.

What is the moment of "eucatastrophe" in The Hobbit? Describe it in detail and explain why you think that it is the turn and climax of the action.

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