The Hobbit, Chapter 15: The Gathering of the Clouds quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. What troubles Thorin about the birds gathering at the Mountain?

   • The crows have all fled the Mountain at once
   • The thrush is leading them toward the secret door
   • The flocks may be a warning that Smaug is flying back home
   • Correct answer: Carrion birds are among them, as if a battle were near

   Thorin says these are birds that dwell always in the land, and far off there are many carrion birds, as if a battle were afoot.

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2. 2

   Question 2. Why is Bilbo able to understand what Roäc says?

   • The thrush stays beside them to translate
   • His magic ring lets him hear the bird's words
   • Correct answer: The raven speaks ordinary language, not bird-speech
   • Gandalf once taught him the speech of the great ravens

   The narrator says Bilbo could understand Roäc because he used ordinary language and not bird-speech.

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3. 3

   Question 3. Whom does Roäc advise Thorin NOT to trust?

   • Correct answer: The Master of the Lake-men
   • Bard, the man who shot the dragon
   • Dain, his cousin in the Iron Hills
   • The old thrush that brought the raven

   Roäc warns Thorin not to trust the Master of the Lake-men, but rather Bard, who shot the dragon with his bow.

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4. 4

   Question 4. After the dwarves finish their work, how can anyone reach the Gate without swimming?

   • Across a new stone bridge built over the pool
   • Correct answer: Only along a narrow ledge of the cliff
   • Through the small secret door high above
   • By ladders let down from the top of the wall

   The dwarves widened the stream into a pool, so the Gate could be reached without swimming only along a narrow ledge of the cliff.

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5. 5

   Question 5. What makes Bilbo long to escape from the fortress and go down to the camp?

   • Correct answer: The elvish music and feasting by the fires
   • A message from Gandalf calling him down
   • Hunger after the last of the cram is gone
   • Fear that more dragons will come to the Mountain

   Elven-harps and song drift up from the camp, and Bilbo longs to join the mirth and feasting by the fires.

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6. 6

   Question 6. Why does Thorin say he will give Bard nothing for now?

   • He doubts that Bard truly killed Smaug
   • Correct answer: He will give nothing under threat of force
   • He has promised all the gold to Dain's people
   • He thinks the Lake-men already owe him much

   Thorin says he will pay for the goods and help he received in due time, but nothing will be given under threat of force.

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7. 7

   Question 7. According to the herald, what will Bard do with part of his one-twelfth share?

   • Hire more archers from the Elvenking
   • Buy back the ponies the dwarves lost
   • Pay the ravens for carrying messages
   • Correct answer: Contribute to the aid of Esgaroth

   The herald says Bard will himself contribute from his portion to the aid of Esgaroth, the ruined town of the Lake-men.

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8. 8

   Question 8. Which of these events actually happen in Chapter 15?

   • Roäc says the thrush saw Smaug die.

     Happened

     Roäc says the thrush saw Smaug fall in battle with the men of Esgaroth at the rising of the moon.

   • Bard enters the Mountain to look at the treasure.

     Didn't happen

     Bard never enters the Mountain; he speaks to Thorin from before the wall at the Gate and then goes back to the camp.

   • The dwarves send their ponies back riderless to the South.

     Happened

     The dwarves unload the ponies at the head of the steps above the old bridge and send them back riderless to the South.

   • Thorin agrees to pay the Lake-men for their help at once.

     Didn't happen

     Thorin says the Lake-men's goods and help will be fairly paid for only in due time, and nothing at all under threat of force.

   • Thorin shoots an arrow into a herald's shield.

     Happened

     When the herald makes the claims of Esgaroth and the Forest, Thorin shoots an arrow from a bow of horn that sticks quivering in his shield.

   • Bilbo reminds everyone that he found the dragon's weak spot.

     Didn't happen

     Bilbo does not expect anyone to remember that he found the dragon's weak spot, and the narrator says no one ever did.

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9. 9

   Question 9. What does 'decrepit' mean as used in: "a most decrepit old bird"?

   • Clever and sly in a dangerous way
   • Dark and gloomy in its coloring
   • Correct answer: Worn out and weakened by great age
   • Proud and unwilling to take help

   Decrepit means worn out by age; Roäc is going blind, can hardly fly and is bald on top.

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does 'recompense' mean as used in: "in recompense you have thus far brought ruin only"?

    • A careful plan that is kept secret
    • Punishment for a wrong that was done
    • Correct answer: Payment in return for help that was given
    • A promise made before a witness

    Recompense means repayment; Bard says the Lake-men helped the dwarves, but so far they have received only ruin in return.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does 'succoured' mean as used in: "he has succoured the people of the Lake in their need"?

    • Gathered people into an army
    • Correct answer: Gave aid to people in trouble
    • Ruled over people as their king
    • Tricked people into a bargain

    Succoured means helped; Bard defends the Elvenking as a friend who aided the Lake-men in their need.

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