The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Chapter 1 "An Unexpected Party"
1) What was Bilbo doing when Gandalf came by?
2) What did Bilbo first say to Gandalf?
3) Name Bilbo's adventurous ancestor?
4) Which dwarf arrived at Bilbo's house first?
5) Name the leader of the dwarves.
6) Which dwarf did not help clean up?
7) What did the dwarves do immediately after they cleaned up?
8) What was Bilbo's job title for the adventure going to be?
9) What is the name of Bilbo’s mom?
10) What are the names of all the dwarves?
Chapter 2 "Roast Mutton"
1) Who came back to Bilbo's house to tell Bilbo to hurry?
2) How many minutes did Bilbo have to meet the dwarves on time?
3) What was Bilbo upset to have forgotten to take?
4) What month did they begin their journey?
5) Who was sent to investigate the fire they could see through the trees?
6) Name the trolls.
7) What did the trolls think Bilbo called himself?
8) What did the trolls put over the dwarves?
9) Who was the first dwarf to be captured?
10) What happened to the trolls in the end and why?
Chapter 3 "A Short Rest"
1) Where did the party have their short rest?
2) What kind of creatures lived in this place?
3) Who was the leader of these creatures?
4) What are runes?
5) What are moon-letters?
6) How long did they stay and rest with these creatures?
7) What did not come into the valley where the party rested?
8) Who was Durin?
9) What was the weather like when they left the valley?
10) Where did the road they were following lead to next?
Chapter 4 "Over Hill and Under Hill"
1) What kind of weather did the party have in the Misty Mountains?
2) What kind of creatures were throwing rocks around?
3) Who found the cave?
4) What did the goblins steal first?
5) Who woke up and warned everyone about the goblins?
6) Who was the leader of the goblins?
7) Who probably killed the goblin leader?
8) Name Gandalf's sword.
9) Name Thorin's sword.
10) What happened to Bilbo at the end of this chapter?
Chapter 5 "Riddles In the Dark"
1) How did Bilbo know his sword was magical?
2) What did the magic of his sword tell Bilbo?
3) Which direction did Bilbo go after he woke up?
4) What did Bilbo stumble into in the dark?
5) What did Bilbo have in his pocket?
6) Who lived in the lake?
7) What was Gollum's birthday present?
8) What magical power did Gollum's birthday present have?
9) What was Gollum's first guess to Bilbo's question: "What have I got in my pocket?"
10) How did Gollum lose his birthday present?
Chapter 6 "Out Of the Frying-pan Into the Fire"
1) Which dwarf did Bilbo see first after he had escaped the goblins and Gollum?
2) Who had dropped Bilbo in the tunnels of the goblins?
3) What creatures trapped the party in the fir trees?
4) What is the special name Tolkien (the author) gave to these creatures?
5) The clearing where the party was caught was a meeting-place for what two creatures?
6) What did Gandalf use to fight the wolves?
7) What was the goblins' plan for the party while they were in the trees?
8) What creatures saved the party?
9) Who was the leader of these creatures?
10) Who was nearly left behind by the rescuers?
Chapter 7 “Queer Lodgings”
1. What large formation do the eagles take the part to?
2. Explain what Beorn is?
3. What is Beorn’s estate like?
4. Describe Gandalf’s plan for approaching Beorn for help.
5. What does Bilbo hear outside during the first night?
6. Where has Beorn gone off to when he leaves his guests for a day and a night and what does he have to show the party when he returns?
7. What help does Beorn give the party?
8. What is the one rule that is emphasized about the party’s crossing through Mirkwood?
9. What disappointing news does the party receive just before they enter?
10. What predictions do you have about the next part of the journey in Mirkwood?
Chapter 8 “Flies and Spiders”
1. Why were the travellers unable to cross over the stream by bridge?
2. Describe what happened to Bombur as he was about to step into the boat.
3. Explain how Bombur's unfortunate incident slowed their travels.
4. Explain why Bilbo and the dwarves strayed from the path.
5. What did Bilbo discover was happening to him when he awoke?
6. Explain the transformation of Bilbo Baggins' character as he renames his sword Sting.
7. Why is Bilbo horrified when he stumbles upon the dwarves in a dark part of the Mirkwood forest?
8. Explain why Bilbo was so adroit at throwing stones.
9. Summarize Bilbo's rescue of the dwarves.
10. What do the dwarves discover when they take a headcount?
Chapter 9 “Barrels Out of Bond”
1. Where did the Wood-elves take their captives?
2. How did the dwarves react to their interrogation by the Elvenking?
3. What does the Elvenking order his men to do?
4. How did Bilbo learn that Thorin was being kept captive in the dungeon?
5. How were the dwarves able to escape without being noticed?
6. Who played a key role in the escape of the dwarves from prison?
7. What did Bilbo do before he left that would confuse the elves (when they realized the dwarves had escaped)?
8. Briefly describe their final departure from the palace.
9. How do elves and dwarves feel about each other? Why?
10. What did Bilbo do when he went ashore? (without the dwarves)
Chapter 10 “A Warm Welcome”
1. Describe the scene as Bilbo approaches the region where the trees ended.
2. Describe the strange town at the mouth of the Forest River.
3. What strange creatures inhabited the town?
4. Why did the guards at Lake-town not keep a very careful watch?
5. Why were the raft-men elves so astonished at the appearance of the dwarves?
6. Why does the Master relinquish his own great chair to Thorin despite the fact that he is not completely convinced that the dwarf is who he claims to be?
7. How appropriate is the title of this chapter?
8. How did the Elvenking respond to the news of the dwarves' plans to slay the dragon, Smaug, and capture his treasure.
9. Who was the only person thoroughly unhappy the day of the departure?
10. What predictions do you have about the continued adventure?
Chapter 11 “On the Doorstep”
1. Why did the men of the town refuse to stay overnight where the dwarves disembarked?
2. Describe their surroundings as the adventurers moved nearer to the Mountain.
3. Which dwarf informs Bilbo that he was in the Dale the day the Dragon attacked?
4. What did Bilbo and his companions see on their scouting expedition?
5. Who discovered the grassy clearing where the door was?
6. Who did they leave to guard the ponies and supplies?
7. Explain how Bilbo begins to take a leadership role in their quest.
8. What is a thrush?
9. How does Bilbo finally unlock the riddle and the secret door?
10. What predictions do you have about the secret passageway?
Chapter 12 “Inside Information”
1. How did the dwarves respond when Bilbo asked for volunteers to accompany him into the Mountain?
2. What took away Bilbo's breath?
3. Describe the dragon.
4. What did Bilbo carry back to the dwarves?
5. How do we know that Smaug kept close tabs on his treasure?
6. What analogy does the author use when describing the dragon's rage?
7. What indication is there that Bilbo is turning into a real leader?
8. What can no dragon resist?
9. What was Bilbo pleased to see when he tricked the dragon into displaying his underside?
10. Why does Bilbo regret his comment about the Barrel-rider to Smaug?
11. Why does Bilbo throw a stone at the thrush?
12. How did the band of adventurers become trapped in the Mountain?
Chapter 13 “Not at Home”
1. Explain the significance of the title of this chapter.
2. Why do the dwarves finally relent and make their way down the dark tunnel to Smaug's lair?
3. What does Bilbo confiscate from the mound of treasure?
4. How does Tolkien use the treasure to portray the dwarves in a negative light?
5. What does Thorin offer Baggins as a reward for his assistance?
6. In addition to the gems and gold, what else did the dwarves confiscate?
7. Why did Thorin offer to lead the group of adventurers to the Front Gate?
8. What do you think is a good way to kill the dragon?
Chapter 14 “Fire and Water”
1. How do the townspeople interpret the flickering light at the northern end of the lake?
2. How do the townspeople react to the initial warnings from Bard?
3. How does Bard save the day?
4. What important role does the thrush play in the demise of the dragon?
5. Why are the people disappointed/angry with the Master?
6. What role do the people want Bard to play in their town after he kills Smaug?
7. How does the Master redirect the crowd’s anger?
8. What did the Elvenking think had happened to Thorin and the dwarves when he received news of Smaug's death?
9. Who came to Bard's assistance thus enabling the townspeople to survive the approaching winter?
10. What problems might there be because Smaug is dead?
Chapter 15 “The Gathering of the Clouds”
1. Why would the presence of carrion birds suggest that a battle is imminent?
2. Who is Roac?
3. What news does Roac bring to the dwarves?
4. What course of action did Thorin choose after hearing the news?
5. Who approaches the front gate of Thorin’s grandfather’s home with weapons?
For 6-8, list three reasons Bard says he deserves part of the treasure.
6.
7.
8.
9. What conditions did Thorin insist on before he would negotiate any terms of settlement with Bard?
10. Do you think Thorin or Bard is right?
Chapter 16 “A Thief in the Night”
1. What does Thorin vow to do to anyone who withholds the Arkenstone?
2. Who was the "thief in the night"?
3. How was Bilbo able to escape?
4. Why did Bilbo give the Arkenstone to Bard?
5. Who delights Bilbo with his presence just as the hobbit is preparing to depart the camp for his return to the Mountain?
Chapter 17 “The Clouds Burst”
1. How does Bilbo defend himself against Thorin's accusation that he has stolen the Arkenstone?
2. Why were Dain's people refused entry to the Mountain?
3. Why did the dwarf attack against the Bard and the Elvenking end as quickly as it had begun?
4. What role does the hobbit play in this fierce battle?
5. What is the "gleam in the gloom" and how does it turn the tide of the battle?
6. What happens to Bilbo at the end of this chapter?
Chapter 18 “The Return Journey”
1. Who has sent a man in search of Bilbo?
2. Who has been mortally wounded?
3. What protagonist from earlier in the story reappears to do battle with the forces of evil?
4. Describe Thorin's final resting place.
5. How do we know that Bilbo was well guided and well guarded on his way home?
Chapter 19 “The Last Stage”
1. Explain why Gandalf had to leave the party of adventurers near Mirkwood?
2. What did Gandalf and Bilbo do with the troll's gold?
3. Explain the commotion that Bilbo discovers as he arrives at his home.
4. Gandalf tells Bilbo he is not the hobbit he once used to be.Do you agree or disagree?Defend your response.
5. How does Bilbo Baggins still make use of his magic ring?
*Create a poster that promotes the novel.Make sure your poster is colorful yet simple.
*With some of your classmates act out a scene from the novel.Use a camcorder to record the presentation and share it with other classes in your school.
* In a short ten minute brainstorming session outline the qualities of a leader.Break off into small groups of three or four and select two characters from the novel.Using the various leadership traits discussed in the brainstorming session, compare and contrast their leadership.
* Give examples as to how Gandalf is able to manipulate various characters in the novel.
* Find rune fonts on the net and download them to your own computer.Write a short note or letter to your classmates and see if they are able to decipher it.
*Make a complete list of the characters introduced in chapter one including their personalities when possible.