The Hobbit, Chapter 16: A Thief in the Night quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. What reason does Thorin give for ignoring Roäc's warning about a battle?

   • Dain's army is strong enough to break the siege with ease
   • Correct answer: Winter will make the men and elves readier to bargain
   • The Mountain holds enough food to outlast any army
   • The Lake-men owe him gold and would never dare attack

   Thorin says winter and snow will bite both men and elves, leaving them in a softer mood to parley with.

   Read the passage
2. 2

   Question 2. Why is Bombur glad to let Bilbo take over his watch?

   • He wants to finish piling and ordering the treasure
   • Thorin has ordered him to search the halls for the stone
   • He suspects Bilbo and wants to spy on him from below
   • Correct answer: He is cold and longs for a fire, a drink and a soft bed

   Bombur complains that it is mighty cold and wishes for a fire, a strong drink and a soft bed, so he gladly accepts.

   Read the passage
3. 3

   Question 3. About how much time does Bilbo have once he slips down from the wall?

   • A night and a day
   • About two hours
   • Correct answer: About five hours
   • Until the sun rises

   The narrator says he had about five hours before him, since he must wake Bombur at midnight.

   Read the passage
4. 4

   Question 4. Why is it unlikely that the dwarves will notice Bilbo is missing?

   • Correct answer: Bombur will sleep, and the others are busy with Thorin
   • The dwarves are all asleep after a feast in the halls
   • Thorin has sent every dwarf down to guard the gate
   • Bilbo's ring makes the dwarves forget all about him

   Bombur can sleep at any time and the rest are busy with Thorin, so no one is likely to come out on the wall before their turn.

   Read the passage
5. 5

   Question 5. Which word used by the elves makes Bilbo snort in protest?

   • Goblin
   • Correct answer: Servant
   • Burglar
   • Thief

   An elf calls him the queer little creature said to be the dwarves' servant, and Bilbo snorts, "Servant, indeed!"

   Read the passage
6. 6

   Question 6. When Bard asks how the Arkenstone is Bilbo's to give, what does Bilbo offer?

   • Correct answer: To let the stone stand against his whole claim
   • To prove that the dragon had dropped it outside
   • To return it to Thorin once the siege has ended
   • To repay Thorin later out of his own home's gold

   Bilbo admits it is not exactly his, but he is willing to let it stand against all his claim to the treasure.

   Read the passage
7. 7

   Question 7. After praising Bilbo, what does the Elvenking say he wonders about?

   • Whether Bilbo stole the stone from under the dragon
   • Whether Dain's dwarves will reach Dale before winter
   • Whether Bard can safely be trusted with the jewel
   • Correct answer: Whether Thorin will see Bilbo's deed as worthy

   The Elvenking says Bilbo is worthy of elvish armour but wonders if Thorin Oakenshield will see it so, since he knows dwarves well.

   Read the passage
8. 8

   Question 8. What does 'withholds' mean as used in: "I will be avenged on anyone who finds it and withholds it"?

   • Sells something for far less than its value
   • Shows something off in order to win praise
   • Correct answer: Keeps back something that should be handed over
   • Damages something through careless handling

   To withhold is to keep something back; Thorin threatens anyone who finds the Arkenstone and does not give it to him.

   Read the passage
9. 9

   Question 9. What does 'grievous' mean as used in: "they may find their dwelling in the waste grievous to bear"?

   • Correct answer: Causing great hardship
   • Too costly to keep up
   • Strange and hard to explain
   • Pleasantly calm and restful

   Grievous means causing great suffering; Thorin expects the cold, bare land to make life hard for the besiegers.

   Read the passage
10. 10

    Question 10. Which of these events actually happen in this chapter?

    • Bilbo takes over Bombur's turn on watch.

      Happened

      Bilbo offers to take Bombur's turn, and Bombur accepts and goes to lie down in the inner chamber.

    • Fili and Kili see Bilbo climbing down the rope.

      Didn't happen

      No one sees him go: the narrator says it was unlikely that any of the dwarves, even Fili or Kili, would come out on the wall before their turn.

    • Bilbo falls into the stream while fording it in the dark.

      Happened

      Bilbo slips on a round stone while fording the stream and falls into the cold water with a splash.

    • Bard refuses to take the Arkenstone from Bilbo.

      Didn't happen

      Bard takes the stone and holds it in his hand as though dazed.

    • Gandalf meets Bilbo in the camp of the men and elves.

      Happened

      As Bilbo leaves the camp, an old man in a dark cloak claps him on the back, and it is Gandalf.

    • Thorin catches Bilbo climbing back over the wall.

      Didn't happen

      Bilbo climbs back up his rope well before midnight, hides it and sits down on the wall; no one catches him.

    • Bilbo wakes Bombur at midnight as he promised.

      Happened

      At midnight Bilbo wakes Bombur and then rolls himself up in his corner to sleep.

    Read the passage