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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. Who sit beside Thorin at the high table after Thorin proclaims himself as the descendant of Thror, King Under the Mountain?

2. Which dwarves are killed in the battle or die because of wounds sustained during it?

3. What unexpected news does Bilbo give the elves and Lakemen?

4. What do the dwarves suggest that Bilbo should do when they begin to despair of being able to open the secret door in Chapter 11?

5. What mistaken belief is held by the younger people of Laketown?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the dwarves' imprisonment turn out to be a lucky accident?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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