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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 Bilbo give to the Elvenking to pay for the food and wine he stole from him?

2. What does Bilbo manage to steal from Smaug in Chapter 12?

3. How long do the dwarves and Bilbo stay in Laketown?

4. Why do most of the arrows shot at Smaug have no effect on him?

5. What is the full name of the grim-faced man who habitually predicts disasters like floods and poisoned fish?

Short Essay Questions

1. What effect does the sight of the treasure have on the dwarves?

2. How do Bilbo and the dwarves know that they have successfully found the secret entrance into the mountain?

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

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

5. Why does Bombur remain in the lower camp with the ponies and supplies in Chapter 11?

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

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

8. How is the treasure divided after the battle is won in Chapter 17?

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

10. 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)?

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

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

Are any stereotypes or cliches used in The Hobbit? If so, what are they? If not, what are some things that make The Hobbit fresh and original?

(see the answer keys)

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