STUDY GUIDE. The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien. Chapters th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Fiorentino

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1 STUDY GUIDE The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien Chapters th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Fiorentino

2 Make sure to support the answers to each question below using textual evidence. Chapter 11: On the Doorstep The expedition finds the Side-door but cannot open it, and they all become gloomy. One evening Bilbo hears a thrush cracking snails and realizes that this is the sign that the door will open. He calls the dwarves, and Thorin opens the door with his key. 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. Explain how Bilbo begins to take a leadership role in their quest. 6. How does Bilbo finally unlock the riddle and the secret door? Disembarked Waning Lintel Chapter 12: Inside Information Bilbo enters the Side-door and, overcoming his fear, goes down a tunnel to Smaug s lair. Overwhelmed by the splendor of the dragon-hoard, he steals a large cup and escapes. The theft arouses Smaug, who goes through the Front Gate, attacks the expedition on the mountainside, and drives them into the tunnel. Bilbo volunteers to explore the lair again. This time he has a perilous conversation with Smaug, during which he sees an unarmored patch on the dragon s breast. Smaug later attacks their camp, but thanks to Bilbo s forewarning the dwarves are safe, although trapped, inside the tunnel. 1. How did the dwarves respond when Bilbo asked for volunteers to accompany him into the Mountain? 2. Describe the dragon. 3. What did Bilbo carry back to the dwarves? 4. What analogy does the author use when describing the dragon's rage? 5. What indication is there that Bilbo is turning into a real leader? 6. What can no dragon resist? 7. What was Bilbo pleased to see when he tricked the dragon into displaying his underside? 8. How did the band of adventurers become trapped in the Mountain?

3 Smouldering Grievous Foreboding Stealth Chapter 13: Not at Home Encouraged by Bilbo, the dwarves go down into the hall and find Smaug gone. Bilbo finds and hides the Arkenstone. The dwarves celebrate their recovery of the treasure. Bilbo reminds them that Smaug is still a peril, and they move to a watchtower on a spur of the mountain. 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. What does Thorin offer Baggins as a reward for his assistance? 5. In addition to the gems and gold, what else did the dwarves confiscate? 6. Why did Thorin offer to lead the group of adventurers to the Front Gate? Pallid Dominion Perpetually Chapter 14: Fire and Water Smaug flies to avenge himself on the men of Lake-town. He is destroying the town when the thrush tells Bard the Bowman, a descendant of the former Lords of Dale, about the bare, vulnerable spot on Smaug s breast. Bard slays Smaug and directs his people s efforts to feed and shelter themselves, although he plans eventually to seize Smaug s hoard. When the Elvenking hears of Smaug s death, he sets out to seize the hoard himself, but goes instead to Lake-town when he hears of its distress. Eleven days after Smaug s death, a combined army of men and elves marches on the Lonely Mountain. 1. How do the townspeople taking a stroll on the quays, interpret the flickering light at the northern end of the lake? 2. How do the townspeople react to the initial warnings from the Bard? 3. How does the Bard save the day? 4. What important role does the thrush play in the demise of the dragon? 5. Why does the Master grind his chattering teeth? 6. How does the Master redirect the crowds anger?

4 7. What did the Elvenking think had happened to Thorin and the dwarves when he received news of Smaug's death? 8. Who came to the Bard's assistance thus enabling the townspeople to survive the approaching winter? Drear Quench Laden Eminent Benefactor Recompense Chapter 15: The Gathering of the Clouds Summoned by the thrush, Roac, a raven of an ancient family friendly to the dwarves, tells the dwarves of the death of Smaug and the gathering of men and elves. Roac advises Thorin to deal with Bard, but Thorin sends for aid from his cousin Dain and fortifies the Front Gate. Thorin denies that Bard has a right to any of the treasure, and Bard declares the mountain besieged. Bilbo is sick of the whole business. 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. How does the Bard justify his claim and also that of his men to Smaug's treasure? 6. What conditions did Thorin insist on before he would negotiate any terms of settlement with the Bard? Coveted Decrepit Amends Chapter 16: A Thief in the Night Despite Roac s counsel, Thorin prepares for war. To break the impasse, Bilbo gives the Arkenstone to Bard and the Elvenking. He meets Gandalf in their camp. Bilbo returns to the mountain despite the Elvenking s warning about Thorin s anger. 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?

5 4. Why did Bilbo give the Arkenstone to the Bard? 5. Who delights Bilbo with his presence just as the hobbit is preparing to depart the camp for his return to the Mountain? Bade Chapter 17: The Clouds Burst Thorin promises to give to Bard Bilbo s share of the treasure in exchange for the Arkenstone. Dain s army arrives before the exchange is made, and Bard refuses to let it pass into the Lonely Mountain. The two sides are about to battle when a vast army of goblins and Wargs attacks both. Dwarves, elves, and men unite in the face of their common enemy, and the Battle of Five Armies begins. At first the good forces trap the goblins and Wargs between two shoulders of the mountain, but they in turn are attacked from above by goblins climbing over the mountain. Thorin sallies forth from the Front Gate and rallies his side, but the bodyguard of Bolg, the goblin leader, blocks his advance and Thorin is surrounded. Bilbo does not fight, but stays, invisible, near the Elvenking. He mourns the coming defeat and death of his friends, but then he sees that the Eagles are coming. At that moment he is knocked unconscious by a stone. 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? Reconciliation Precipice Smote Chapter 18: The Return Journey Bilbo comes to his senses the next day and is brought to the camp. On his deathbed, Thorin makes amends with Bilbo. The outcome of the battle is retold: Beorn rescued the wounded Thorin and then killed Bolg, but the battle was not won until the Eagles cleared the mountainside of goblins. Dain, the new King under the Mountain, makes a generous settlement with Bard. Bilbo and Gandalf begin the return journey and part, in turn, from the dwarves, the Elvenking, and Beorn.

6 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? Literally Amend Mustering Chapter 19: The Last Stage Bilbo and Gandalf arrive at Rivendell, where Gandalf confers with Elrond. Bilbo takes the treasure from the troll hoard. Finally Bilbo returns home just in time to save his hole and belongings from being auctioned off. He settles down contentedly, although he finds that he is no longer considered respectable. In an epilogue, Balin and Gandalf visit him several years later. 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? Lore Effects