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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. In Chapter 14, qho does Bard ask for help in making sure that the refugees from Laketown have food and shelter to help them through the oncoming winter?

2. What skills or interests does the Master have that have made him the ruler of Laketown?

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

4. What advice does Roac give to Thorin about the Lakemen?

5. Apart from the dragon, what other animals live inside the Lonely Mountain?

Short Essay Questions

1. What details are given in Chapter 11 as hints to an alert reader that the one chance of finding the keyhole is about to present itself?

2. How does Bilbo's attitude differ from that of the dwarves in Chapter 9?

3. What is the dwarves' original plan or strategy?

4. What can be deduced about the dragon from the steam and smoke coming out from the Front Gate?

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

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

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

8. What reconciles the forces of the men and elves, and the dwarves in Chapter 17?

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

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

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

According to Joseph Cambell's classic analysis of myths, quests and adventure stories (Hero with a Thousand Faces), the classical or archetypal pattern for a mythological quest or adventure is as follows:

1 The call to adventure. The hero usually finds a helper at this stage.

2. The hero crosses the "threshold of adventure."

3. The hero faces various tests and receives magical aid that will help him achieve his quest.

4. The hero faces the final test, which can be the theft of an important talisman, elixir or object.

5. The hero faces another challenge before bringing peace, prosperity, or some other boon to humanity.

Using this outline, does The Hobbit fit the archetypal pattern of a quest adventure? What events and incidences fit into what part of the pattern? Are any parts of the pattern omitted? Does The Hobbit contain any events or incidents that do not fit the pattern?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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