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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. Why can't the dwarves hear the goblins coming?

2. What type of enchantments is Gandalf especially good at?

3. What special ability does Beorn have?

4. What is unusual or rare about Elrond's ancestry?

5. What color is Bilbo's front door into his hobbit hole?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What has Beorn been doing when he is absent from the house?

4. What is significant about Bombur's (and Bilbo's) dreams while in their enchanted slumbers?

5. Describe Elrond, the master or ruler of Rivendell in your own words.

6. How do the dwarves and Bilbo manage to escape from the goblins?

7. How many ways can Gandalf find of interpreting Bilbo's use of the phrase "Good Morning" and what are the different possible meanings?

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

9. Why does Bilbo arrive at the Green Dragon without a hat, walking stick or handkerchief, or anything else for the journey?

10. How does Bilbo react when he sees Gollum between him and the way out and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tolkien uses several traditional fantasy races in the setting of The Hobbit, including elves, dwarves, goblins, trolls and dragons. In you own words, describe what two of these fantasy races are like, using evidence from the text rather than from wider reading. Your answer should cover appearance, typical behavior and whether the race is, in general, "good" or "evil."

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Tolkien presents the elves, and in particular the Elvenking, as being Good People. Considering the character of the Elvenking, do you think Tolkien has succeeded in portraying the Wood Elves as good or likable characters? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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