The Hobbit Study Question for Chapters 1-4
Chapter 1
1. Contrast the two families Bilbo Baggins came from (the Baggins and the Tooks).
2. Describe the three kinds of races introduced in the first chapter by citing textual
evidence to support your answer. Include their appearance, personalities, and
environments.
• Hobbit:
• Wizards:
• Dwarves:
4. What are the many meanings Gandolf says Bilbo has for “Good Morning”?
5. At first Bilbo does not recognize Gandolf, but once Gandolf reveals his identity to
Bilbo, what does Bilbo say he remembers about Gandolf?
6. How many unexpected visitors did Bilbo have for his Wednesday tea?
7. What did the symbol mean that Gandolf carved on Bilbo's door?
6. According to the legend of Bullroarer, how was the game of golf invented?
7. What did Bilbo do when Thorin was explaining why they all had come to Bilbo's
house that caused the other dwarves to doubt Bilbo's ability to carry out the
adventure?
8. What finally convinces Bilbo to take on the adventure?
9. What does Gandolf put on the table that excites everyone in the house?
10.What important two objects does the group have to aid them in their journey?
11.Tolkien spells some words different than what we are accustomed to. How is his
spelling of “favourite”different than ours?
• Do you know any other words the British spell differently than us?
11.In the end of chapter 1 you find out why are the dwarves, Gandolf, and Bilbo
going to the mountain. Why?
12.Throughout chapter 1, Gandolf says that Bilbo was chosen because he was the
group's “burglar.” What do you think this means, and how would having a burglar
be helpful for this adventure?
Chapter 2
1. Why must Bilbo rush to meet the dwarves the night after their unexpected visit?
2. What were some of the things that Bilbo left in his hurry to meet the group?
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
What happened to the group's food?
What does the group see that causes them to send Bilbo to check it out?
When Bilbo is scouting out the light, what does he come across?
Describe the troll race, citing specific evidence from the book.
How does Bilbo get caught by the trolls?
How does Gandalf outsmart the trolls into their own doom and free the dwarves?
Chapter 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Where is Gandalf taking the group for shelter, rest, and food?
What village do they encounter on their way to Gandalf's friend's home?
Describe the race of elves, citing specific evidence from the book.
What other species does not get along with the elves?
What are moon-letters?
What day does the group learn they need to be at the secret entrance of the
mountain according to the moon letters?
7. Did you see any other words the British spell differently in this chapter than us?
8. Tolkien says in this chapter that “It is a strange thing, but things that are good to
have and days that are good to spend are soon told about, and not much to listen
to; while things that are uncomfortable, palpitating, and even gruesome, may
make a good tale, and take a deal of telling away.” (page 57). What does this
quote mean, and do you agree? Why or why not?
Chapter 4
1. The narrator says that “only Gandalf had shaken his head and said nothing” when
the dwarves talked about coming to the door of the Lonely Mountain the next last
moon of Autumn (p. 62). What can you infer Gandalf's reaction to their hope to
mean? What might his reaction be foreshadowing?
2. What creatures were out during the storm hurling rocks?
3. What literary device is the following quote an example of: “There is nothing like
looking, if you want to find something (or so Thorin said to the young dwarves).
You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the
something you were after. So it proved on this occasion” (p. 65).
4. What question did Gandalf ask Fili and Kili after they came back reporting they
had found a dry cave?
5. Who attacked the group in the cave?
6. Who was the only one to escape the cave? How?
7. What does Bilbo wish for again and “not for the last time”?
8. What is Thorin carrying that angers the Great Goblin?
9. After reading the last paragraph of the chapter, what do you predict might happen
next?