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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 of the following methods do the dwarves not use in an attempt to open the secret door before the keyhole is revealed?

2. Why is the King of the Wood Elves wiser than the men of Laketown?

3. What does Bilbo give to the Elvenking to pay for the food and wine he stole from him?

4. What wound has Gandalf sustained during the Battle of the Five Armies?

5. What did Smaug meet in his nightmare before he wakes up?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What are the five armies involved in the Battle of the Five Armies?

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

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

6. 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?

7. Why does Bilbo give the Arkenstone to Bard the Bowman?

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

9. Describe what the Master of Laketown is like in your own words.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

According to Joseph Cambell's classic analysis of myths, quests and adventure stories (Hero with a Thousand Faces), the classical or archetypal pattern for a mythological quest or adventure is as follows:

1 The call to adventure. The hero usually finds a helper at this stage.

2. The hero crosses the "threshold of adventure."

3. The hero faces various tests and receives magical aid that will help him achieve his quest.

4. The hero faces the final test, which can be the theft of an important talisman, elixir or object.

5. The hero faces another challenge before bringing peace, prosperity, or some other boon to humanity.

Using this outline, does The Hobbit fit the archetypal pattern of a quest adventure? What events and incidences fit into what part of the pattern? Are any parts of the pattern omitted? Does The Hobbit contain any events or incidents that do not fit the pattern?

(see the answer keys)

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