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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 use as a weapon against the trolls in Chapter 2?

2. Who found the cave in Chapter 4?

3. Which of the following is not a change that the adventurers notice after encountering the hunt and the white deer?

4. What is the name of the inn where the dwarves meet Bilbo in Chapter 2?

5. What is Thorin considering doing when he learns that the other dwarves are also in prison with him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Wood Elves differ from the goblins in regards to their treatment of prisoners?

2. Why are the wargs (wolves) in the woods that night in Chapter 6?

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

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

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

6. What advice do Beorn and Gandalf give to Bilbo and the dwarves about the journey through Mirkwood?

7. Summarize in your own words how the trade between the Wood Elves and the men of Laketown operates.

8. What does Bilbo discover about his sword and how does he discover this?

9. Explain in your own words the history behind the the dwarves' quest for the dragon's treasure. Use details from the dwarves' song and Thorin's story in your answer.

10. How does Gandalf manage to save the dwarves from being eaten by the trolls?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Describe how the character of Bilbo changes from the start of the novel to the end. How does he stay the same?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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