Turn to Page 1
Chapter I
An Unexpected Party
CHAPTER I: QUESTIONS
• Why do the dwarves gather at Bilbo’s house? (pages 6 & 18)
• How many dwarves come to tea? (page 10)
• Who is their leader, (page 10) and what does Gandalf give
him? (Page 26).
• What are some characteristics of dwarves?
• How did the dwarves lose their treasure and kingdom?
(pages 23 & 24).
• Why did the dwarves question Bilbo’s choice? (page 17)
CHAPTER I: QUESTIONS:
• How did Bilbo react to the plan of the dwarves? (18-19)
• Why do you think that Gandalf choose Bilbo Baggins to be
the burglar? (page 17)
• How did Bilbo manage to keep from disclosing his
amateur rating as a burglar? (page 16)
• What changed Bilbo’s mind about the adventure? What
wakens his “Tookish” side?
• Is the Baggins’ side practical, cowardly, or timid? Pick
the best adjective and justify it.
CHARACTERS
Characters are
developed by what
they say, hear and
do, and by how
others in the novel
react to them. In
this chapter, what
do we learn about
Bilbo? Begin and
attribute web for
him.
Attribute Web
Looks
1. ______________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
Acts
1. ______________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
Feels
1. ______________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
Says
1. ______________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
__________
Community
1. ______________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
Turn to Page 28
Chapter II
Roast Mutton
CHAPTER II: QUESTIONS
• How did Bilbo feel about the adventure the next morning?
(page 28)
• Why didn’t Bilbo find the note which the dwarves had left for
him until Gandalf appeared? (Page 29).
• What were the important terms of the note? (Page 29).
• Why do you think the wizard disappeared?
• Would the story have been different if Gandalf had been a
part of the group when they met the trolls?
CHAPTER II: QUESTIONS
• Discuss the troubles of the first night and the adventure
with the trolls?
• Did Bilbo prove to be a good burglar in his attempt to pick
the pocket of the troll?
• What kind of characters are the trolls?
• How does Bilbo know they are trolls? (Page 35).
• Describe the fight and the wizard’s reappearance. (pages
39-41).
PREDICTION
•What dangers might Bilbo
and the other adventurers
encounter?
CHARACTERS
Characters are
developed by what
they say, hear and
do, and by how
others in the novel
react to them. In
this chapter, what
do we learn about
Gandolf? Begin and
attribute web for
him.
Attribute Web
Looks
1. ______________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
Acts
1. ______________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
Feels
1. ______________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
Says
1. ______________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
__________
Community
1. ______________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
Turn to Page 45
Chapter III
A Short Rest
CHAPTER III: QUESTIONS
• Why was Rivendale hard to find? (page 46)
• Who is Elrond? (Page 51).
• Elrond could read the ruins on the swords of the trolls. Why
was this important? What did Bilbo and the dwarves learn?
(Page 52).
• What are moon letters? (Page 53)
• Elrond read the map for Gandalf and Thorin. Do you feel
that the message will be of any value? How would you
interpret it if all the message that was read said, “None to be
seen by this moon?” (Page 54).
PREDICTION
•What will the next adventure
be?
Turn to Page 55
Chapter IV
Over Hill and Under Hill
CHAPTER IV: QUESTIONS
• Why was this part of the journey apt to be dangerous? (Pages 55 56)
• How was the storm different from storms you may have been in?
(Pages 56 – 57)
• Why did Fili and Kili go to look for better shelter? Why did the
wizard ask them if they had thoroughly searched the cave? (Page
58)
• Why was it a good thing that Bilbo was with the adventurers on
the night of the storm? (Page 60).
• How did the goblins treat their captives ? (pages 60-61). How is
the poem descriptive of the action? Is it more expressive than just
a sentence? Why?
CHAPTER IV: QUESTIONS
• How did the Great Goblin react when he discovered their
sword? (Page 64)
• What do you think happened to make the escape possible for
the captives? What part did “Biter and Beater” play in the
escape?? (Page 64)
• How was it possible for the goblins to sneak up on the
dwarves again? (Page 67)
• What happened to the hobbit this time? (Page 67)
Turn to Page 68
Chapter V
Riddles in the Dark
CHAPTER V: QUESTIONS
• Discuss the author’s view, “I should not have liked to be in
Mr. Baggins’ place.” What did he mean? (page 70)
• How does Bilbo know his sword was made by elves? (Page
69)
• Why is it good that Bilbo lost his matches? (Page 69)
• What do you think Gollum is like? How is he like Bilbo?
How is he different? (Page 35).
• Are the riddles hard? Are they good riddles? Why or why
not?
CHAPTER V: QUESTIONS
• When Gollum lost the riddle game, how did he repay his debt?
(Page 79 and 80).
• What skills doe Bilbo show in dealing with Gollum?
• How did Gollum react when he couldn’t find the ring? (Page 80 –
81). What was he afraid of?
• How did Gollum guess that Bilbo had the ring? (Page 83)
• How did Bilbo find the way out of the cave? (Page 85)
• Why didn’t Bilbo kill Gollum when he had the chance? (Page 86)
• Why do the goblins know that someone is at the gate? (Page 89)
PREDICTION
•Titles of chapters are very
important. What do you
think could happen in a
chapter with the title, “Out of
the Frying-Pan into the
Fire”?
Turn to Page 91
Chapter VI
Out of the Frying Pan
into the Fire
CHAPTER VI: QUESTIONS
• How does Bilbo know that he is on the east side of the mountain?
(Page 90)
• Bilbo overhears his friends. How does the wizard feel about Bilbo?
(Page 91)
• Why do you think that Bilbo did not tell his friends about the
magic ring?
• Why did the dwarves, having a wizard with them, get into trouble
with the goblins? Didn’t the wizard know about the goblins? (Page
95).
• What did the wizard think about the rock slide that carried them
down the mountain? (page 97)
CHAPTER VI: QUESTIONS
• “Escaping goblins to be caught by wolves,” said the hobbit (Page
98). How does this help to explain the chapter title?
• How did the party manage to escape the Wargs, the evil wolves?
(Page 102)
• Why were the wolves meeting at this place in the forest? (page
101).
• Why and how did the eagles help the adventurers to escape?
(Pages 106-107).
• How does Bilbo feel about Gandalf’s rescue? (pages 106 - 108)
Turn to Page 112
Chapter VII
Queer Lodgings
CHAPTER VII: QUESTIONS
• How did Gandalf plan the arrival at Beorn’s house? How had he planned
the arrival of the dwarves at Bilbo’s house? How did Gandalf convience
each to help? (Page 118 and 116 – 117).
• What have we learned about Beorn? Begin an attribute web for him.
• Where and why did Beorn go the night the adventurers were with him?
(Pages 130 – 131).
• What was Beorn’s advice for the journey?
• What was the most important advice that Beorn and Gandalf gave the
adventurers about Mirkwood? (Page 132 and 118).
• Why was it necessary for Gandalf to leave the adventurers? Was it of
much comfort to the dwarves to have a hobbit to help them instead of
having the wizard with them? (Page 135) .
PREDICTION
•Will they leave the path?
Why or why not? What could
lead them astray?
Turn to Page 140
Chapter VIII
Flies and Spiders
CHAPTER VIII: QUESTIONS
• What was there about the forest to fear? (Pages 139 – 140)
• Do you think that Mirkwood was evil? What do you mean by
“evil” Brainstorm
• Why is the enchanted river dangerous? How was the hobbit
helpful in crossing the river? (Pages 142-143)
• Why do you think the dwarves and Bilbo disregarded Beorn’s
warning and strayed from the path? (Page 150)
• After Gandalf left, who became the leader of the expidition?
(Page 142).
CHAPTER VIII: QUESTIONS
• Why did the elvish-looking folk disappear when the dwarves went
running into their camp? (Page 151)
• How did Bilbo get separated from the dwarves? (Page 153)
• How did Bilbo manage to escape the giant spiders? Was Bilbo of
any help to the dwarves? (Page 157 - 163)
• What heroic acts does Bilbo perform?
• Why does Bilbo tell the dwarves about the magic ring? (Page 162
– 163) Why do you think he hesitated to tell the dwarves about
the ring?
• Why was Thorin captured by the Wood-elves? (Page 167).
PREDICTION
•What do you think the last part
of the last sentence on page 169
means, The beginning of
another adventure in which the
hobbit again showed his
usefulness”? What adventure
will Bilbo have next? How will
he free Thorin?
Turn to Page 171
Chapter IX
Barrels out of Bond
CHAPTER IX: QUESTIONS
• Why did the Wood-elves capture the dwarves and not Bilbo? (Page
170)
• How did Mr. Baggins get in and out of the closely guarded palace?
(Page 172)
• Why was it necessary for Bilbo to continue burgling? (Page 173)
• Why didn’t Thorin and the dwarves tell the king why they were in
the wood? (Pages 167 and 174).
• How did Bilbo plan to help his friends escape? (Pages 176 – 178)
• How did Bilbo escape? (Page 183)
• How was the magic ring valuable to Bilbo in this part of the
adventure?
PREDICTION
•The dwarves and Bilbo have
escaped, but what troubles
could they now encounter?
Turn to Page 189
Chapter X
A Warm Welcome
CHAPTER X: QUESTIONS
• How had the dwarves survived the escape and the trip in the barrels?
Why was it so important that Bilbo was not in a barrel? (Page 192)
• How were the dwarves received in Lake-town? (pages 196-197)
• What was the attitude of the dwarves about Bilbo? (Page 178 and page
198).
• Why wasn’t Bilbo happy? (Page 198).
• How do you think the elf-king learned the reason for the dwarves
adventure? (Page 198)
• Why do you think the Master believed Thorin was a fraud? What
changed his mind? (Page 199)
• Why was the Master not sorry to see them go? (Page 199)
PREDICTION
•What is worrying Bilbo?
What troubles await him?
Turn to Page 202
Chapter XI
On the Doorstep
CHAPTER XI: QUESTIONS
• How did the party feel that they were nearing the end of
their journey? (205)
• What happened to the village near the mountain? (Page 203)
• Why was it dangerous to search for the secret dorr to the
dragon’s den? (Page 204)
• How did they find the secret door? (pages 208 – 209).
PREDICTION
•What is going to be in the
“deep darkness in which
nothing could be seen … a
yawning mouth leading in
and down” ? (209).
Turn to Page 212
Chapter XII
Inside Information
PREDICTION
•The dwarves had not planned
a way to get rid of Smaug or
to move the treasure. What
plan will they develop? If
you were to take Bilbo’s
place, what kind of plan
would you offer?
CHAPTER XII: QUESTIONS
• Bilbo believed that, “dwarves are not heroes but calculating
folks with a great idea of the value of money; some are tricky
and treacherous and pretty bad lots; and some are not, but
are decent enough people like Thorin and Company, if you
don’t expect too much.” Give some examples to support
Bilbo’s point of view. What help did Bilbo ask of the
dwarves? (Pages 210 – 211)
• On page 212, the narrator says, …he was a very different
hobbit from the one that had run out without a pockethandkercief from Bag-End long ago.” How had the little
hobbit changed?
CHAPTER XII: QUESTIONS
• Why was Bilbo Baggins taking such risks when he had absolutely
no use of the dragon-guarded treasures? (Page 212) Was Bilbo
courageous? What does it take to be courageous?
• Why did Bilbo steal the cup? (Page 214). Do you think it was a
wise thing to do? Should he have waited and not stirred up the
dragon? Could the story have been quite different if he had had a
plan to conquer the dragon?
• How would you explain Bilbo’s father’s proverb, “Every worm has
his weak spot.” What is a proverb?
• What techniques did Bilbo use on Smaug when he said, “O Smaug
the Tremendous! Smaug the chiefest and Greatest of Calamities””
(Page 220)
CHAPTER XII: QUESTIONS
• How was Bilbo able to talk to Smaug without getting hurt? (Page 221)
• Explain what Bilbo meant when he said, “I am the clue-finder, the web-cutter, the
stinging fly. I was chosen for the lucky number…I am the friend of bears and the
guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer; and I am Barrel-rider.”
• Why was it wise to use riddles with dragons? (Page 221)
• What did you learn about dragons? Make a web for Smaug. What descriptions can
you use for Smaug?
• How was the dragon very much on the target when he said, “I will give you one piece
of advice for your good: don’t have more to do with dwarves than you can help! … your
job is to do all of the dangerous work … And you will get a fair share? Don’t you
believe it! …If you get off alive, you will be lucky”? (222)
• Was the dragon likable in any way? Why would you not like him as a friend?
Turn to Page 234
Chapter XIII
Not at Home
CHAPTER XIII: QUESTIONS
• What characteristics did the treasure bring out in the
dwarves? 9237)
• Why did Bilbo slip the Arkenstone into his pocket? How did
he justly do this? (235)
• How do you think “Mr. Baggins kept his head more clear of
the bewitchment of the hoard than the dwarves did”? (238)
PREDICTION
•How and why do you think
the dragon allowed the
adventurers to leave the
dragon’s hall?
RESEARCH
 What are some superstitions about dragon’s blood? Teeth? Eyes?
 In what other stories do we find dragons?
 Who are as famous as dragon slayers.
Turn to Page 247
Chapter XIV
Fire and Water
CHAPTER XIV: QUESTIONS
• Why did Smaug go off to the lake-town of Esgaroth? (231)
• What kind of leader was the Master? (248)
• How did the thrush know about the dragon’s most vunerable
spot?
• What argument did the Master present to the people that he
remain the town leader rather than King Bard? (251)
• How did Bard act after the defeat of the dragon and the
destruction of the town? How did Master act? (252)
• Why did Bard go to the elves for help? (252-253)
PREDICTION
•What will the towns’ people
and the Elvenking’s men do
when they discover that Bilbo
and the dwarves are still
alive?
Brainstorm the word leader.
Antonym
Synonym
Leader
Use in a sentence.
Examples from life:
USE THE T – CHART TO COMPARE BARD
AND THE MASTER.
Bard
Master
Turn to Page 257
Chapter XV
The Gathering of the
Clouds
CHAPTER XV: QUESTIONS
• How were Bilbo and the dwarves warned about the approaching treasure
hunters? (257)
• What other advice did Roac give? (258)
• Why do you think that Thorin will not listen to Roac? (258)
• How did the Lake-men and Bard approach Thorin and the dwarves?
(262)
• What argument did Bard present? (263)
• What response did Thorin make? (264)
• How much do you think the Lake-men and the elves would have shared
if the dwarves and Bilbo had been killed by the dragon?
PREDICTION
•Bilbo has saved the dwarves
before. How will he help get
them out of this trouble?
Turn to Page 268
Chapter XVI
A Thief in the Night
CHAPTER VI: QUESTIONS
• How did Bilbo manage to escape from the cave? (268)
• What was Bilbo’s mission? (269)
• What did Bilbo have that made it possible to deal with Bard?
(270)
• Why was Bilbo willing to give up the Arkenstone?(270)
• Was any other character as generous?
• What unexpected friend or acquaintance did Bilbo find at
Bard’s camp? (272)
• What did Gandalf say to Bilbo?
PREDICTION
Based on what
you have read
so far in The
Hobbit by
Tolkien, how
will this story
end for Bilbo?
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Turn to Page 275
Chapter XVII
The Clouds Burst
CHAPTER XIV: QUESTIONS
• Why was Thorin so angry at Bilbo? (274)
• What terms did Thorin and Bard come to? (275)
• In the Battle of the Five Armies, who were the participants?
(279)
• What stopped Thorin’s advance? (283)
• What sight made Bilbo’s heart leap? (284)
• How have the eagles helped Bilbo and the others in the past?
PREDICTION
•Bilbo is hit by a stone and is
unconscious. What will
happen to him?
Turn to Page 288
Chapter XVIII
The Return Journey
CHAPTER VIII: QUESTIONS
• Why wasn’t Bilbo found until the day after the battle? (287)
• Who won the battle? (289)
• What lessons had Thorin learned? Why do you think Bilbo and
Thorin parted as friends? (288)
• Was it necessary for Thorin to die in the story? If you were the
author, what other ending might there have been?
• What does Bilbo mean when he says, “The Tookish part was
getting very tired, and the Baggins was daily getting stronger?”
(294)
• How had Bilbo changed in the novel?
Turn to Page 297
Chapter XIX
The Last Stage
CHAPTER IX: QUESTIONS
• How was Bilbo received when he reached the hobbit-hole? (301)
• What do you think Gandalf meant when he said, “You are not the
hobbit that you were” (300). How had Bilbo changed?
• How did Bilbo bring luck to the expedition?
• Much of Bilbo’s luck comes from, or is the result of, his courage
and determination. Give some examples of this.
• What do you think Gandalf meant when he said, “Surely you don’t
disbelieve the prophesies, because you had a hand in bringing
them about yourself? You don’t really suppose do you, that all of
your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for
your sole benefit”?
PREDICTION
•Bilbo is hit by a stone and is
unconscious. What will
happen to him?