The Hobbit, Chapter 19: The Last Stage quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. What news about the Necromancer does Bilbo overhear in Elrond's house?

   • He has fled north into the mountains with his goblin servants
   • Correct answer: He has been driven from his dark hold in the south of Mirkwood
   • He has seized the Elvenking's halls deep inside the forest
   • He has been destroyed forever by the council of white wizards

   Gandalf tells Elrond the white wizards drove the Necromancer from his hold in southern Mirkwood; Gandalf wishes he were banished from the world, but Elrond doubts that will happen in this age.

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2. 2

   Question 2. Why does Bilbo offer the trolls' gold to Gandalf?

   • He thinks the ponies are already too heavily loaded to carry it
   • He believes gold from trolls will bring bad luck to its owner
   • He wants to repay the wizard for rescuing the company so often
   • Correct answer: He feels he already has enough to last him all his life

   Bilbo says he has enough to last him his time, though Gandalf insists they share it.

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3. 3

   Question 3. What makes Gandalf say, "You are not the hobbit that you were"?

   • Bilbo admits he is sorry to be going home to the Hill
   • Bilbo asks to join the wizards at their next great council
   • Correct answer: Bilbo stops on a rise and recites a poem about the road home
   • Bilbo refuses to keep any of the trolls' gold for himself

   Seeing his Hill, Bilbo recites "Roads go ever ever on", and Gandalf sees how much the journey has changed him.

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4. 4

   Question 4. How do the Sackville-Bagginses treat Bilbo after his return?

   • Correct answer: They never admit that the returned Baggins is genuine
   • They apologize and give back everything they bought
   • They take him to court for the price of his furniture
   • They move into Bag-End until the legal case is settled

   The narrator says they never admitted the returned Baggins was genuine and were never friendly with Bilbo again.

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5. 5

   Question 5. Where does Bilbo keep his coat of mail after he comes home?

   • Hidden in the cellar so the neighbours will not see it
   • Locked in a chest beneath his bed at Bag-End
   • Hung over the mantelpiece beside his sword
   • Correct answer: On a stand in the hall, until he lends it to a museum

   The sword hangs over the mantelpiece; the mail goes on a stand in the hall until Bilbo lends it to a museum.

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6. 6

   Question 6. What does Bilbo chiefly use his magic ring for after his return?

   • Visiting the elves without being seen by other hobbits
   • Correct answer: Slipping away from unpleasant callers at his door
   • Spying on his cousins to find his missing silver spoons
   • Nothing at all, since he locks it away for good

   He keeps the ring a great secret and uses it chiefly when unpleasant callers come.

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7. 7

   Question 7. How does the narrator present Bilbo's loss of his good name?

   • Correct answer: Playfully: he is 'sorry to say' Bilbo does not mind
   • Seriously, as a warning against leaving one's home
   • Sadly, as the one real cost of a hard adventure
   • Angrily, as an injustice the hobbits should regret

   The narrator says he is sorry to say Bilbo did not mind, a joke that shows Bilbo is content with what he has become.

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8. 8

   Question 8. How does Bilbo react when Gandalf calls him only a little fellow in a wide world?

   • He asks Gandalf to take him on one more adventure
   • He protests that the songs will remember his part
   • Correct answer: He laughs, says "Thank goodness!" and offers tobacco
   • He falls silent and goes back to writing his memoirs

   Bilbo laughs, says "Thank goodness!" and hands Gandalf the tobacco-jar; he is happy to be small and at home.

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of these events actually happen in this chapter?

   • Bilbo falls asleep in a corner while the tales are told.

     Happened

     When the tale of their journeyings is told and other tales follow, Bilbo's head falls forward on his chest and he snores in a corner.

   • Elrond rides with Bilbo and Gandalf as far as the ford.

     Didn't happen

     After a week Bilbo says farewell to Elrond in Rivendell and rides away with Gandalf.

   • Bilbo and Gandalf dig up the trolls' gold that they had buried.

     Happened

     Not far from the road they find the trolls' gold, which they had buried, still hidden and untouched, and dig it up.

   • The ponies are glad to carry the bags of gold.

     Didn't happen

     The gold is put in bags and slung on the ponies, who are not at all pleased about it.

   • The Sackville-Bagginses measure Bilbo's rooms during the auction.

     Happened

     Bilbo comes home in the middle of an auction, and his cousins the Sackville-Bagginses are busy measuring his rooms to see if their own furniture would fit.

   • Balin arrives at Bag-End alone one spring morning.

     Didn't happen

     Balin comes one autumn evening some years afterwards, and Gandalf comes with him.

   • Bilbo hangs his sword over the mantelpiece.

     Happened

     Back at home, Bilbo hangs his sword over the mantelpiece and puts his coat of mail on a stand in the hall.

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does 'gloaming' mean in the elves' line "On hearth in the gloaming"?

    • The cold dampness of a valley mist
    • The bright light of early morning
    • Correct answer: The dim light of evening twilight
    • The red glow of a dying fire

    Gloaming is an old word for twilight, the dusk after sunset.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does 'effects' mean in the notice selling "the effects of the late Bilbo Baggins Esquire"?

    • The debts a person leaves behind at death
    • The impressions a person makes on others
    • The results of something that has happened
    • Correct answer: A person's personal belongings and goods

    Here effects means personal property, the belongings being auctioned.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does 'extravagant' mean when Bilbo's presents are called "both useful and extravagant"?

    • Correct answer: Lavish and costly, more than is needed
    • Carefully chosen to suit each person
    • Old-fashioned and rather odd to look at
    • Made by hand from simple materials

    Extravagant gifts are lavish ones that cost more than anyone needs; the narrator says Bilbo's presents partly account for his nephews' and nieces' affection.

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