The Hobbit, Chapter 17: The Clouds Burst quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Who is the old man in cloak and hood who carries the casket to the Gate?

   • The Master of Lake-town
   • Correct answer: Gandalf the wizard
   • Dain son of Nain
   • Balin in a disguise

   When Thorin threatens to throw Bilbo from the wall, the old man throws aside his hood and cloak and announces, Here is Gandalf!

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2. 2

   Question 2. Which of these events happen at the Gate in Chapter 17?

   • Bilbo admits that he gave the Arkenstone to Bard.

     Happened

     When Thorin asks how they came by the stone, Bilbo squeaks from the wall, "I gave it to them!"

   • Thorin throws Bilbo off the wall into the river.

     Didn't happen

     Thorin drops Bilbo on the top of the wall, and Bilbo is then swung down from the wall and departs.

   • Gandalf reveals himself by throwing off his hood and cloak.

     Happened

     The old man with the casket throws aside his hood and cloak and says, "Here is Gandalf!"

   • Bard says the men will keep the stone until the payment is made.

     Happened

     When Thorin says the gold and silver will follow later, Bard cries that until then they will keep the stone.

   • Thorin hands over the silver and gold that same afternoon.

     Didn't happen

     Bard gives Thorin until noon the next day, and when his messengers later go to the Gate they find no gold or payment, only arrows.

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3. 3

   Question 3. How does Thorin send word to Dain after the meeting at the Gate?

   • Through the old thrush
   • By a signal fire
   • By a runner through Dale
   • Correct answer: Through Roäc the raven

   Thorin sends messengers by Roäc, telling Dain what has passed and bidding him come with wary speed.

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4. 4

   Question 4. Who does Gandalf say is leading the goblin army?

   • Correct answer: Bolg of the North
   • The goblin king of Moria
   • The Great Goblin
   • A Warg chief of the hills

   Gandalf cries out that Bolg of the North is coming, whose father Dain killed in Moria.

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5. 5

   Question 5. According to the narrator, what do the polite words of Dain's messengers really mean?

   • We are lost and need shelter for the night
   • We will pay you well to leave the valley
   • Correct answer: You have no business here, so make way or we fight
   • We have no claim here and will soon be going home again

   The narrator translates the old-fashioned courtesy as a blunt warning: make way or we shall fight you.

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6. 6

   Question 6. Why does Bard refuse to let Dain's dwarves go on to the Mountain?

   • He suspects the newcomers are goblins dressed in captured dwarf armour
   • Correct answer: He fears the payment will never come once the fortress is fully manned
   • He believes the dwarves have come to take the treasure away from Thorin
   • He plans to capture Dain and trade him back to Thorin for the gold

   Bard wants the gold and silver brought out first, and he does not believe it will be if the Mountain is manned by so large a company.

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7. 7

   Question 7. What does the narrator say about Bilbo's magic ring during the battle?

   • It makes him the bravest fighter on the field
   • It stops arrows and spears from ever striking him
   • It lets him understand the speech of goblins
   • Correct answer: It helps him keep out of the way but is no full protection

   The ring does not stop flying arrows or wild spears, but it helps Bilbo get out of the way and keeps goblin swordsmen from choosing his head.

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8. 8

   Question 8. Where does Bilbo take his stand during the battle?

   • Correct answer: On Ravenhill among the elves
   • Inside the Gate with Thorin
   • Down by the river with the Lake-men
   • On the eastern spur with Bard

   Bilbo stands on Ravenhill among the elves, partly because escape is easier there and partly because he would rather defend the Elvenking.

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of these events happen during the battle in Chapter 17?

   • Dain's dwarves attack without waiting for a signal.

     Happened

     Dain's dwarves, guessing that Bard and his friends hesitate, suddenly spring forward to attack without a signal.

   • The elves are the first to charge the goblins.

     Happened

     The elves charge first, sending a shower of arrows and then a thousand spearmen against the goblins in the valley.

   • Bard kills Bolg in single combat.

     Didn't happen

     The chapter never shows Bolg fall; Bard is fighting to defend the Eastern spur and slowly giving back.

   • Goblins climb the Mountain and attack the spurs from above.

     Happened

     Goblins scale the Mountain from the other side and stream down to attack the spurs from above.

   • The eagles drive the goblins from the valley before the chapter ends.

     Didn't happen

     The chapter ends with the eagles still coming down the wind, when a stone strikes Bilbo's helm and he knows no more.

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10. 10

    Question 10. Why does Thorin's charge against Bolg's bodyguard finally stall?

    • His axe breaks on Bolg's shield
    • The Lake-men refuse to follow him
    • Correct answer: His numbers are too few and his flanks unguarded
    • The bats blind his companions

    As the valley widens, Thorin's small force cannot pierce the bodyguard and is surrounded by goblins and wolves.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does 'tarry' mean as used in: 'Long will I tarry, ere I begin this war for gold.'?

    • To sharpen weapons
    • Correct answer: To wait or delay
    • To shout a challenge
    • To gather an army

    The Elvenking means he will wait a long time before starting a war over treasure.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does 'feint' mean as used in: 'A few brave men were strung before them to make a feint of resistance'?

    • A truce offered under a flag
    • A sudden retreat in panic
    • Correct answer: A pretended show meant to mislead
    • A weak and exhausted fighter

    The men only pretend to resist so the goblins will pour into the valley where the trap is set.

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13. 13

    Question 13. What does 'eyries' mean as used in: 'in such a host as must have gathered from all the eyries of the North'?

    • Correct answer: The high nests of eagles
    • Ancient battlefields
    • Distant mountain kingdoms
    • Cold northern winds

    Eyries are the nests of eagles, built high in the mountains; the whole North seems to have sent its eagles.

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