Summer Reading 2013-2014
Honors English I
Study Guide Packet
Crossing the Tracks
Barbara Stuber
The Hobbit
J.R.R. Tolkien
Name__________________________________________
Honors Freshmen: Complete the assignments by downloading form onto your own computer or H drive, print
and place in a folder, and bring them with you to turn in on the first day of school. Every effort should be made
to type this assignment. Pencil will not be accepted. To download the form, go to the Ms. Cerny’s website (click
onto CHS; click Academics; click Language Arts; click on Cerny’s picture; click on Honors English I; click on
Summer Reading Packet). Once the document is opened, save it to your computer, type your answers on your
saved document and re-save to your computer. If you do not save the document to your computer as a word
document on your computer, your work will not be saved and you will have nothing to print.
Be prepared for a multiple choice quiz over each novel the first days of school. There will also be a writing over
each novel. This packet will prepare you for the quiz and writing, but the packet will also be collected and
scored for points (186 total points). Use complete sentences to receive full credit for the assignment.
The Hobbit
For each of the following characters, list 3 personality characteristics (not physical appearances). (1 point each
bullet)
Ex: Wood Elves
*have powerful magic
*hate the giant spiders
*distrust strangers
Bilbo
*
*
*
Gandalf
*
*
*
The Dwarves
*
*
*
Thorin Oakenshield
*
*
*
Elrond
*
*
*
The Goblins
*
*
*
Gollum
*
*
*
Beorn
*
*
*
Smaug
*
*
*
Bard
*
*
*
List six (6) trials or confrontations that Bilbo faces on his journey. For each, explain the outcome or
consequence. (2 points each)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Explain three ways Bilbo’s adventure changes him. (2 points each)
1.
2.
3.
Chapters 1-2 (2 points unless otherwise noted)
1. Describe the layout of Bilbo Baggins’s hobbit house and analyze the various ways in which Bilbo is “dug in.”
2. Bilbo is described as being a bit different from other hobbits. How is he different? Will this help or hinder
him in the proposed adventure?
3. Judging from the information in the first two chapters, what is/will be Gandlalf’s role?
4. Describe Bilbo’s physical and emotional state at the beginning of his journey.
5. What hobbit qualities are challenged in these chapters?
6. Select three quotations that sum up essential qualities of Tolkien’s dwarves. (Include the page number on
which each quotation is found.) 3 points
Chapters 3-5 (2 points each)
1. Describe Elrond.
2. How does Elrond advance the plot of the story?
3. What does the goblins’ song reveal about them?
4. Describe two ways in which Gandalf has helped Bilbo and the dwarves.
5. What is revealed about Bilbo and Gollum respectively through the riddles each of them asks?
6. What is Bilbo’s response to Gollum’s outrage and pain? What does this tell you about Bilbo?
Chapters 6-7 (2 points each unless otherwise noted)
1. Describe Beorn. What does he represent and how does he enhance the significance of the story?
The closing lines of chapter 7 tell us, “Now began the most dangerous part of all the journey” as they “plunged
into the forest.”
2. List all things BLACK Bilbo and the dwarves encounter in Mirkwood Forest. What does Tolkien communicate
through this imagery? (4 points)
3. Why is this called the most dangerous part of the journey?
4. How is Bilbo viewed by the dwarves at the end of chapter 7? Why? What does that say about how selfesteem is built?
Chapter 8-9 (2 points each unless otherwise noted)
1. Explain how the travelers escape the giant spiders.
2. What has Bilbo learned through his encounter with the spiders?
3. Search chapter 8 for references to eyes. List references and quotations regarding eyes (include page
numbers). Discuss Tolkien’s possible intent for the use of this vivid symbol. (4 points)
3. The dwarves are captured by Wood-elves. Explain their rescue/escape.
Chapter 11-19 (2 points each unless otherwise noted)
1. Discuss the symbolic significance of Lonely Mountain.
2. At last Thorin gains access to his ancestral promise and birthright—the inner chambers of Lonely Mountain.
What is revealed about Thorin through his presence in these chambers?
3. Describe how Bilbo meets the dragon two times and escapes unharmed both times.
4. Why is Bilbo able to find the Arkenstone?
5 . Discuss the significance of the dragon’s “weak spot.”
6. Smaug is dead and word has gone out. How is this news received by/what is the reaction of the following:
(1 point each)
a. Thorin
b. Elves
c. Lake-Men
d. Bilbo
e. Raven Roac
7. Of all the dwarves, Thorin has changed the most. How is he different and what changed him?
8. Which groups fought in the Battle of the Five Armies?
9. Mortally wounded from fighting in the Battle, Thorin calls for Bilbo. What does Thorin say to Bilbo? What
thematic lesson lies in what Thorin says?
Crossing the Tracks
1. Who is the protagonist of the novel? (2 points)
2. As you read, list 5 personality characteristics of the protagonist and support from the text for each. Be sure
to include the page number on which each supporting statement is found. (10 points)
EX: Sarah
1. vain pg 5 “She loved the way she looked and never grew tired of seeing herself in a mirror.”
3. Describe the setting of the novel. Include period of time, location, and any significant historical,
social/religious, political events that are relevant to the novel. (4 points)
4. Who is the antagonist of the novel? (2 points)
5. As you read, list 3 personality characteristics of the antagonist and support from the text for each. Be sure to
include the page number on which each supporting statement is found. (See EX above) (6 points)
6. Conflict
*List a major external conflict the protagonist experiences. Describe and explain thoroughly who is
involved, what is at the center of the conflict, the consequences of it, and how or if it is resolved. Be sure to
include how this conflict affects the story. (2 points)
*List one major internal conflict of the protagonist. Describe and explain thoroughly what the internal
conflict involves, what decisions are made because of the internal conflict, and the outcome of the decision(s).
Be sure to include how this conflict affects the story. (2 points)
7. As you read, list 3 personality characteristics of one other character and support from the text for each. Be
sure to include the page number on which each supporting statement is found. (See EX above) (6 points)
8. Describe two decisions the protagonist makes in the novel and the consequence(s) or outcomes of each. (4
points)
9. Describe two events that occur in the novel and the consequence(s) of each. (4 points)
10. What is the point of view of the novel and how does this affect/influence the story? (1st person, 3rd person
limited, omniscient) (2 points)
11. In one sentence, state one of the main themes of the novel. Then, explain why you believe this is a main
theme revealed in the novel; use direct references to specific details in the novel that helped you to come to this
conclusion. (life lesson, big-picture statement about life, over-all meaning the author conveys through events
and characters’ experiences) (4 points)
12. Symbols…concrete objects that convey abstract meaning that enhance the author’s messages/themes
(3 points for each symbol)
*Name and describe 3 different symbols in the novel.
*What is the abstract meaning of each?
*To which character(s) does the symbol relate?
*How is the symbol important to the story? What is communicated through the symbol?
Discussion questions: (4 points each)
*What is the symbolic meaning of “crossing the tracks” for Iris
*If given the choice, would you become involved in the problems of another person to help him/her?
Why or why not? Have you ever experienced this situation? (Thoroughly explain your response.)
*Discuss the significance of the hobo in the novel. He doesn’t last long, but he has a lasting effect.