The Hobbit

70 pages • 2 hours read

The Hobbit

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1937

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Introduction

Before Reading

During Reading

After Reading

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

CHAPTERS 1-3

Reading Check

1. Who are the unexpected guests who disrupt Bilbo’s peaceful life?

2. From whom are the dwarves trying to reclaim their homeland, the Lonely Mountain?

3. Why do the dwarves believe Bilbo will be of help in their quest?

4. What do the runes tell the group about the secret entrance to the mountain lair?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How are the dwarves and Gandolf representative of Duty as a Governing Moral and a Guiding Force relating to their quest and Bilbo?

2. How would one describe a hobbit and how does this description relate to Bilbo’s initial hesitation in joining the quest?

3. How were the trolls defeated after capturing the group?

4. Why are the dwarves nervous about going to the Last Homely House?

Paired Resource

“Tolkien’s Grandson on How WW1 Inspired The Lord of the Rings”

This BBC article discusses Tolkien’s experiences in the war and how it impacted his writing.
The information in this resource connects to the theme of Duty as a Governing Moral and a Guiding Force.
How can Tolkien’s experience in the war be seen in The Hobbit?

CHAPTERS 4-7

Reading Check

1. What dangerous creatures attack Bilbo and the dwarves in the cave?

2. What does Bilbo find in the dark tunnels of the goblin caves?

3. What does Bilbo do to win the ring?

4. Who helps Bilbo and the dwarves escape the goblins and wolves?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does Bilbo utilize the One Ring against Gollum?

2. Why must Bilbo compete with Gollum—and win—in the cave?

3. Why do the dwarves develop a newfound respect for Bilbo?

4. Why does Beorn provide hospitality to Gandolf, the dwarves, and Bilbo despite disliking guests?

Paired Resource

“Ithaka”

This poem by CP Cavafy focuses on a journey reaching a specific destination, paralleling Bilbo’s own quest.
As an allusion to Odysseus’s homeward journey, the poem shares the novel’s theme of The Sustaining Love of Home and Family.
How does the poem “Ithaka” match Bilbo’s experiences on his journey thus far?

CHAPTERS 8-13

Reading Check

1. What dangerous creatures attack Bilbo and the dwarves in the Mirkwood forest?

2. In what does Bilbo sneak out the dwarves?

3. What do Bilbo and the dwarves use to open up the door in the mountain?

4. What does Bilbo secretly steal for himself?

Paired Resource

“The Psychology of Home: Why Where You Live Means So Much”

This article delves into the psychological aspects of home and how it shapes people’s identities and well-being. (Subscription may be needed to view.)
The ideas in the article relate to the theme The Sustaining Love of Home and Family.
How do the homes of each character affect their personality and values?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Bilbo call his sword “Sting?”

2. Why is Thorin and the group well taken care of in the town?

3. Why does Bilbo struggle to remain undetected by the dragon?

4. How does Smaug demonstrate his arrogance and pride?

CHAPTERS 14-19

Reading Check

1. How does Smaug die when he attacks the town?

2. Of what does the raven warn Bilbo and the dwarves?

3. What does Bilbo bring to Bard and the elves for bargaining?

4. Which of the dwarves is fatally wounded?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What is the significance of Smaug’s death regarding the other populations?

2. Why does Bilbo attempt to gain an audience with Bard and his elven companions?

3. Why do the army of goblins and wolves attack the mountain?

4. How does the ending on the novel reflect the themes of Friendship and Companionship?

Paired Resource

“Why Friends May Be More Important Than Family”

This article discusses the increasing value of friendships as individuals age compared to their familial ties.
This article relates to the theme The Importance of Friendship and Companionship.
In what ways does Bilbo experience and provide quality camaraderie and friendship with the individuals he met throughout the book?

Recommended Next Reads

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

This epic fantasy novel continues the adventures in Middle Earth as Frodo Baggins, along with his adventurers, embarks on a quest to destroy the One Ring and prevent the return of the dark lord, Sauron.
Shared themes include The Importance of Friendship and Companionship, Duty as a Governing Moral and Guiding Force, and The Sustaining Love of Home and Family.
Shared topics include high fantasy, heroism, friendship, duty, and love of home and family.
The Fellowship of the Ring on SuperSummary

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

In a parallel universe, young Lyra Belacqua embarks on a journey to the frozen North to rescue her kidnapped friend and uncover a sinister plot involving mysterious particles called Dust.
Shared themes include The Importance of Friendship and Companionship, Duty as a Governing Moral and Guiding Force, and The Sustaining Love of Home and Family.
Shared topics include high fantasy, personal growth and challenges, heroism, friendship, duty, and love of home and family.
The Golden Compass on SuperSummary

Reading Questions Answer Key

CHAPTERS 1-3

Reading Check

1. Gandolf and the dwarves, including Thorin Oakenshield (Chapter 1)

2. Smaug, the Dragon (Chapter 1)

3. The dwarves believe that Bilbo is a burglar (because Gandalf told them so), and that as such, he will be quite helpful to them. (Chapter 2)

4. It is revealed at sunset on Durin’s Day. (Chapter 3)

Short Answer

1. Initially, Bilbo does not want to join the dwarves’ quest. However, under the group’s pressuring guidance, a moral obligation surfaces in Bilbo, and he acquiesces. (Chapters 1-2)

2. Hobbits are described as beings who enjoy simple comforts, their homes, and an unexamined, uneventful life. As such, the idea of going on a high-stakes adventure does not appeal to Bilbo, a hobbit. (Chapters 1-2)

3. The trolls, distracted by their greed and gluttony, continuously argue about how to cook Bilbo and the dwarves. As a result, they argue throughout the entire night, and the rising sun turns them to stone. (Chapter 2)

4. They are nervous because—historically—the Elvin and dwarven races do not cohabitate well. (Chapter 3)

CHAPTERS 4-7

Reading Check

1. The goblins (Chapter 4)

2. Magic ring and Gollum (Chapter 5)

3. Answer riddles (Chapter 5)

4. Gandolf on eagles (Chapter 6)

Short Answer

1. Bilbo slips the ring onto his finger thus becoming invisible and hiding from Gollum. (Chapter 5)

2. Gollum states that if Bilbo does not win their competition, the former would eat him. (Chapter 5)

3. When he explains his challenges of wit against Gollum and his escape—purposefully leaving out the ring from his explanation—they view him as a valued member of their team. (Chapter 6)

4. Gandolf distracts Beorn with his stories, slowly adding in the dwarves and Bilbo by pairs to incrementally increase the number of people in Beorn’s home without him realizing it. (Chapter 7)

CHAPTERS 8-13

Reading Check

1. Giant spiders (Chapter 8)

2. Barrels (Chapter 9)

3. A key from Gandolf (Chapter 11)

4. The Arkenstone (Chapter 13)

Short Answer

1. Bilbo kills the spider with his sword; the narration points out that the first spider killed must not be used to creatures (like Bilbo) that carry things that sting. (Chapter 8)

2. Thorin is recognized as the King Under the Mountain, son of Thrain, and as such, is treated like royalty. (Chapter 10)

3. Bilbo utilizes the ring to become invisible, convinced that he would be able to sneak around the dragon. However, Smaug has an excellent sense of smell and touch, and recognizes an intruder in his presence. (Chapter 12)

4. When Bilbo claims that he has heard about dragons’ soft underbelly, the dragon flips over to demonstrate how reinforced he is, inadvertently displaying a portion of his body where he would be weak to an attack. (Chapter 12)

CHAPTERS 14-19

Reading Check

1. An arrow to his underbelly (Chapter 14)

2. People will come for the treasure. (Chapter 15)

3. The Arkenstone (Chapter 16)

4. Thorin (Chapter 18)

Short Answer

1. Smaug’s death means that the mountain and the treasure within it are no longer guarded. As such, the various populations can attempt to claim the treasure to themselves. (Chapters 14-19)

2. Bilbo worried that the disagreement between Thorin and Bard would end in bloodshed, and he wanted to try to bargain in order to avoid it. (Chapter 16)

3. Now that Smaug is dead, the goblins and wolves wish to extend their territory. (Chapter 17)

4. In the end, Gandolf and Balin come to visit Bilbo’s home, detailing how Bard rebuilt the town and how the elves, dwarves, and men had become friends. (Chapter 19)