Study Guide for The Hobbit

Please type or print the answers on a separate sheet in full sentences.

Chapters 1-3

  1. What is Gandalf’s reputation?
  2. According to the dwarves’ song, where do they want to go, why do they wish to go there, and why did they leave in the first place?
  3. What is to be Bilbo’s job on the adventure?
  4. What is significant about the map Gandalf gives Thorin?
  5. Describe what happens to Bilbo on his first attempt at “burglaring.”
  6. How does Gandalf trick the trolls? What then happens to them?
  7. What are rune-letters? What are moon-letters? How are they significant?
  8. What does Elrond tell the party about their swords?
  9. Explain how you would have reacted if Gandalf and the dwarves had shown up at your house and invited you on their adventure.

Chapters 4-7

  1. How does Bilbo get separated from everyone?
  2. In one well-written sentence, characterize Gollum.
  3. After he does not guess the last riddle, why does Gollum go back to his island?
  4. How do the Goblins and Wargs trap the party in the forest?
  5. Why does the Lord of the Eagles save them?
  6. Why must the dwarves enter Beorn’s house in pairs, five minutes apart.
  7. In one well-written sentence, characterize Beorn.
  8. Why can’t the party go around Mirkwood?
  9. Predict what you think will happen to Bilbo and the dwarves in Mirkwood.

Chapters 8-11

  1. What are the nights like in Mirkwood? Why can’t they light fires?
  2. Describe what happens to the Bombur in Mirkwood.
  3. Explain how Bilbo saves the dwarves from the giant spider.
  4. Why do the Wood-elves capture and imprison the dwarves.
  5. Explain how Bilbo helps the dwarves escape from the Wood-elves.
  6. In one well-written sentence, characterize Thorin.
  7. Describe the area around the mountain near the secret door.
  8. How do Biblo and the dwarves finally find the secret door?
  9. Describe how Bilbo’s personality has become different from what it was at the beginning of the story.

Chapters 12-14

  1. What does Smaug do when he discovers Bilbo has stolen the cup?
  2. What do you determine to be the weak point of the dwarves’ plan?
  3. How does Bilbo describe himself when Smaug asks who he is and where he comes from?
  4. In one well-written sentence, characterize Smaug.
  5. What is cram?
  6. What does Thorin give Bilbo? Why?
  7. In one well-written sentence, characterize Bard.
  8. What is the importance of the black arrow?
  9. Describe the Arkenstone of Thrain. Why does Bilbo keep it? Does he have a right to it?

Chapters 15-19

  1. What good news does Roac bring? What bad news does he bring?
  2. Why does Thorin refuse Bard his requests for treasure?
  3. Why does Bilbo offer the Arkenstone to Bard?
  4. How has the treasure changed Thorin?
  5. Who is involved in the Battle of Five Armies?
  6. Why isn’t Bilbo found until the day after the battle?
  7. How does Thorin make amends with Bilbo?
  8. Why are Bilbo’s things being sold? What is it the Sackville-Bagginses never admit?
  9. Throughout the book, the narrator interjects numerous comments, some humorous, some philosophical. Give an example of one of these comments (include the page number and context), and tell how you think it added (or detracted) from the story.