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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 dwarf puts up the most fight when the trolls try to capture him?

2. What color is Thorin's hood?

3. Why did the wargs come to the clearing where the adventurers were?

4. What phase of the moon is showing when Elrond studies the map?

5. How does Bilbo kill the spiders who have captured the dwarves in their webs?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What good luck do the adventurers have while they are staying in Rivendell that is likely to prove vital to their quest?

3. How does Bombur manage to fall into the enchanted stream?

4. Describe in your own words how the riddle contest between Bilbo and Gollum was played and what the winner of the contest would win.

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

6. Why does Bilbo decide to pick William the troll's pocket?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In building his fantasy world, Tolkien has used fantastic or imaginary elements as well as familiar and real-world elements in order to make his world believable.

Part 1. List and describe some familiar and real-world elements that appear within The Hobbit.

Part 2. List and describe the fantastic or imaginary (magical) elements that appear within this book.

Part 3. Evaluate whether Tolkien has managed to integrate the fantastic with the everyday successfully or not.

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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