Live + Jesus
Seventh Grade English
SUMMER READING: The Hobbit
Greetings, incoming seventh graders! We look forward to meeting and working with all of you in a few short months. To rescue you from the tedium of endless, carefree summer fun, we have assigned this novel, along with And Then There Were None, and a set of reading questions to guide you through each.
When you arrive in August, we will cover each novel in detail, introducing vocabulary and literary elements to enhance your reading comprehension, power of critical analysis, and overall literary experience. For now, read carefully, keep a notebook in which to record questions, responses, or concepts you would like to explore in greater depth as a class. Go forth and read!
I. Characters:
As you encounter and get to know each character (or, in some cases, group), note his
(their) physical characteristics (species included), personality traits, motivations, goals, and any changes that may take place within him (them) throughout the course of the novel.
Gandalf-
Bilbo Baggins-
Thorin Oakenshield-
Smaug-

Elrond- the Trolls- the Goblins-
Gollum-
Wargs-
Beorn-

Bard-
Roac- the Eagles (not the band)- the Spiders- the Wood-Elves-

II. Setting:
As you encounter each place, record its purpose in the story (i.e., what has brought the adventurers there), its description, key events that take place there, and its relation to the quest on which the adventurers find themselves.
Rivendell, the last homely home-
Dale-
Laketown-
Misty Mountains-
Lonely Mountain-

The Hill-
Mirkwood-
III. Plot
Answer the following questions as you read.
1. What was the ultimate objective of the adventure/quest on which the dwarves and their “burglar” were about to embark?
2. BILBO: a.
What accounts for Bilbo's (eventual) adventuresome nature? b.
How did Bilbo become involved with the dwarves? c.
Why was he reluctant to join the adventurers on their quest?

d.
Identify the event and item that turn Bilbo into a successful burglar.
3. Identify “Orcrist” and “Sting.” Why are these valuable to the dwarves?
4. Describe the attitude of the dwarves upon rediscovering their treasures.
5. What is the Arkenstone? What impact does it have on the characters and the outcome of the novel?
6. Explain/describe Smaug's flaw and final fate.

7. Explain the actions Bilbo takes to force the dwarves into bargaining with the other groups.
8. Explain/describe the Battle of Five Armies.
9. List, identify, and explain each of the people/groups/creatures that helped the adventurers throughout their quest. How did each help them? What motivated each person/group to help them? Explain.

Live + Jesus
Seventh Grade English
SUMMER READING: And Then There Were None
Here is the set of reading questions to guide you through And Then There Were None, a murder mystery by the master thereof, Agatha Christie. I hope you enjoy it. When you have finished the novel (and not a MOMENT sooner), treat yourself to the black-andwhite version of the film. Look for similarities and differences between the novel and film.
As with The Hobbit, we will cover And Then There Were None in detail upon your arrival to school in August, introducing vocabulary and literary elements to enhance your reading comprehension, power of critical analysis, and overall literary experience. For now, read carefully, keep a notebook in which to record questions, responses, or concepts you would like to explore in greater depth as a class. Go forth and read!
And Then There Were None contains some British vocabulary and terms that may be unfamiliar. These definitions will enhance your comprehension and, possibly, enjoyment of the novel. torch- a flashlight games mistress- physical education teacher in a British school
The Great War- World War I
sine qua non- (Latin) “without which not”; something that cannot do without
Harley Street- fashionable street in London where society doctors had offices
“Ten Little Indian Boys”- an English children’s poem from the Oxford Nursery Book gong- piece of iron used to call guests to dinner
Swan Song- a farewell—an old legend says that swans sing only before their deaths
Sister- a nurse in a hospital, not necessarily a nun white horses- white caps on waves red herring- expression derived from the practice of drawing a red herring (type of fish)—cured by smoking and salting—across the path to confuse hunting dogs

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Priest’s hole- when Catholics were being persecuted in England after King Henry VIII, devout laity hid the priests who came in secret to their homes to celebrate the Mass in concealed “priests’ holes” in the floors when danger was near heliographing- method of sending messages by Morse Code by reflecting the sun’s rays in a mirror black cap- British judges in high courts place a triangular black cap on their wigs when pronouncing a death sentence
Loch Ness- a fabled prehistoric monster who is said to live in the waters in Scotland
Chateau Neuf du Pape- red wine from France sang-froid- (French) cold blood; calm under stress
I. Characters:
Name and describe each of the ten main characters. As you read, and learn new information about each character, add to his or her description.
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II. Questions for Consideration
Please answer the following questions as you read. Read all of the questions before you begin reading.
1. When did you correctly identify the murderer? What were some of the ways that
Christie misleads the reader regarding his or her identity? What were some of the clues that Christie offered regarding the murderer’s identity?
2. Record three instances in which Christie creates a feeling of anticipation, or suspense.

3. Record any sudden, unexpected twists in the plot, termed situational irony.
4. At which points in the novel did it seem as though Christie intentionally misled the reader?