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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 is the first landmark feature that Bilbo notices as the barrel he is riding takes him out of the forest?

2. Why is Bilbo unhappy during their stay in Laketown?

3. How does the Elvenking react to the sight of the Arkenstone?

4. Who makes the cram that the dwarves and Bilbo eat while camping at Ravenhill?

5. Why do the people of Lake-town destroy the bridges as a defense against the onslaught of the dragon?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Smaug laugh when Bilbo tells him that revenge is one of the motives of their quest?

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

5. What reconciles the forces of the men and elves, and the dwarves in Chapter 17?

6. How is Bilbo able to take and hide the Arkenstone without the dwarves knowing?

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

8. Explain the meaning of the ambiguous or riddling answers Bilbo gives to Smaug to avoid revealing his name to the dragon (and thus giving the dragon power over him)?

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

10. What can be deduced about the dragon from the steam and smoke coming out from the Front Gate?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

To what extent is one of the following themes significant, and what is said about each one in The Hobbit? Choose ONE of the following:

1. Home and "belonging"

2. Courage

3. The attributes that make a hero

Essay Topic 2

Many locations are described within the world of The Hobbit. Where would you most like to live in this world and why? Are there any disadvantages or downsides of living in the place you have chosen?

Choose from one of the following possible locations:

1. Hobbiton

2. Rivendell

3. Beorn's house

4. Laketown

5. The palace of the Elvenking

Essay Topic 3

The contrast between light and darkness is often used as a symbol of the contrast between good and evil. Does The Hobbit use this symbolism so that light always represents or symbolizes good while darkness always represents or is associated with evil? Give examples to illustrate your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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