The Hobbit Worksheet / Study Guide
@ Beverly Schmitt, 2001 all rights reserved
Chapter 1: An Unexpected Party
Vocabulary Define the following words with only 1-2 words
inclined absurd discreetly laburnums prosy scuttled Extra Credit Vocabulary depredations, scones, fender, hover, hoard, wrought, delves, plundering, conspirator, audacious, ingenious, dignity, rune, obstinately, prudent, remuneration, routed, necromancer Bonus Vocabulary poetical exaggeration
Comprehension Questions Answer the questions briefly (full sentences are unnecessary)
1) What, exactly, did Mr. Tolkien mean by entitling this chapter An Unexpected Party?
2) Briefly, how does J.R.R. Tolkien describe hobbits?
3) Why do you think it was important for the story to learn about the fabulous Belladonna Took?
4) What were the various ways in which Mr. Bilbo Baggins used the word phrase good morning?
5) How did Mr. Bilbo Baggins respond to the idea of going on an adventure? Why?
6) What did Mr. Bilbo Baggins remember Gandalf for? 7) Gandalf decided to grant Mr. Bilbo Baggins two requests. What were those requests?
8) Besides their names, what did the dwarves say to Mr. Bilbo Baggins upon entering his home?
9) Briefly, state the nature of the adventure that Thorin & Company were about to embark upon.
10) Why did Gloin have reservations about Mr. Bilbo Baggins joining their expedition?
11) Briefly, what character traits would you assign to ... Mr. Bilbo Baggins
Thorin Oakenshield
Gandalf
the dwarves
12) Why do you think Mr. J.R.R. Tolkien had Gandalf warn the dwarves about the Necromancer?
13) It would seem as though Mr. Tolkien enjoyed word play and comic relief as seen earlier with the word phrase good morning. Briefly describe the word play with hear, hear.
Christian Worldview
1) As soon as Mr. Bilbo Baggins asks for help, he gets it. From the Christian worldview, what does this remind you of? Why? 2) Imagery. The concept of imagery plays an important role in literature. It is used to bring certain pictures or images to the mind of the reader. What do you think of when Mr. Tolkien uses the terms dragon and worm? 3) Who, do you think, does Gandalf work for? (Are there any clues to give you this impression?) 4) Ponder: Foreshadowing is a literary device that suggests what is to come later by giving hints and clues. It may be well worth noting that Thorin falls at Bilbos feet before the adventure even begins.
Optional Activities 1) You are an advertising executive that has been commissioned by a number of important automobile corporations to sell to Thorin & Company the car that best meets each of their personalities. Your job is to select a particular automobile for each person. This commission must be done quickly and without fail; otherwise, you will lose the entire commission!
Character Bilbo Baggins Gandalf Thorin Oakenshield 3 dwarves of your choice: Automobile
2) A Christian publisher has hired you to accompany Thorin & Company on their adventure as a type of news reporter. This publisher prefers their information quick, fast, informative, with style, and some oomph. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to report the goal and mission of Thorin & Company. (To add realism, you may want to get permission to use the family video camera for a TV news report and/or a hand-held tape recorder for a radio spot). 3) Privately, Gandalf has pulled you aside and has asked you to do a collage comparing / contrasting Mr. Bilbo Baggins and Jonah of Holy Writ. 4) Re-enact the unexpected tea party scene in your home.
5) Draw, paint, or build with construction paper or cardboard, Mr. Bilbo Baggins home at Under Hill, Bag End, The Shire. 6) Mr. J.R.R. Tolkien mentions tea scones and seed cakes. Prepare a sumptuous tea including the tea scones and seed cakes for your hard-working parents! Tea Scones 2 c. flour 1/2 c. sugar 1/2 c. shortening 2 eggs, beaten 1/4 c. milk 2 tsp. cream of tartar 1 tsp. soda
Mix dry ingredients. Blend in shortening (like pie crust). Add eggs, milk, raisins; mix with fork. Press out 1/2-inch thick on floured board. Cut into triangles. Bake 15 minutes in 400 degree oven. Seed Cake 1 lemon cake mix 1 c. vegetable oil 1 regular pkg. instant lemon pudding 1 c. water 4 slightly beaten eggs 1/4 c. poppy seeds (Use 2 eggs and 2 egg whites if watching cholesterol.) Mix all ingredients at medium speed for 4 minutes. Pour into 2 greased and floured bread pans or bundt cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.
What does Scripture say?
Necromancer ... one who inquires of the dead Strongly condemned ... Deuteronomy 18:10,11 Consulted by King Saul ... 1 Samuel 28:7-19 Consultation with rebuked ... Isaiah 8:19 A necromancer is closely associated with divination and familiar spirits Divination ... attempt to foretell the unknown by occult means A. Divination considered as System of fraud ... Ezek. 13:6,7 Lucrative employment ... Acts 16:16 Abomination ... Deut 18:11,12 Punishable by death ... Lev. 20:6,27 B. Divination practised by Astrologers ... Is 47:13 Charmers ... Deut. 18:11 Consulters ... Deut. 18:11 Diviners ... Deut. 18:14 Enchanters ... Deut. 18:10 False prophets ... Jer. 14:14 Magicians ... Gen. 41:8 Necromancers ... Deut. 18:11 Soothsayers ... Is. 2:6 Witches ... Ex. 22:18 Wizards ... Deut 18:11 Familiar Spirits
A. Familiar spirits described as Source of defilement ... Lev 19:31 Abominable ... Deut 18:10-12 Vain ... Is. 8:19 B. The practies of familiar spirits are to be Cut off ... Lev 20:6 C. Familiar Spirits consulted by Saul ... 1 Sam 28:3-25 Manasseh ... 2 Ki. 21:6 Soothsayer ... a diviner Balaam, a nortorious soothsayer ... Num 22:7
