Learn English with The Hobbit

• ☐ ☐ ☐ Make way! [exp] - Get out of my way!
• ☐ ☐ ☐ set aside [phv] - ignore, forget
• ☐ ☐ ☐ petty [adj] - unimportant
• ☐ ☐ ☐ grievances [n] - wrongs or problems between people
• ☐ ☐ ☐ The cesspits of Dol Guldur [n] - big holes in the ground where orce are created
• ☐ ☐ ☐ in mortal danger [exp] - in danger of death
• ☐ ☐ ☐ bred for war [exp] - created to fight
• ☐ ☐ ☐ summon [v] - call for
• ☐ ☐ ☐ set out [phv] - begin a journey
• ☐ ☐ ☐ reclaim [v] - take back
• ☐ ☐ ☐ show his hand [exp] - show his purpose or plan
• ☐ ☐ ☐ stink [v] - smell badly
• ☐ ☐ ☐ archers [n] - soldiers who use bows and arrows
• ☐ ☐ ☐ eve [n] - evening
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a soul [n] - a person
• ☐ ☐ ☐ the next watch [exp] - the next turn to watch and protect a group
• ☐ ☐ ☐ come to that [exp] - happen
• ☐ ☐ ☐ surrender [v] - give up
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a halfling [n] - a hobbit
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a king's ransom [exp] - a huge amount of gold or money
• ☐ ☐ ☐ obstinate [adj] - very stubborn
• ☐ ☐ ☐ pigheaded [adj] - very stubborn
• ☐ ☐ ☐ suspicious [adj] - unable to trust people
• ☐ ☐ ☐ loyal to a fault [exp] - very very loyal

[n] - noun,  [v] - verb,   [phv] - phrasal verb,  [adj] - adjective,  [exp] - expression

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Bilbo	Gandalf	Bofur	Thranduil	Bard

• The elves have recaptured their home (Erebor) from Smaug the dragon.
• The dwarves had promised to share the gold in the mountain with Bard and the humans in exchange for their help.
• Thorin now doesn't want to share the gold.
• Thranduil (the king of the elves) wants some white gems that are in Erebor.
• Thorin (the leader of the dwarves) values the Arkenstone more than all of the gold in the mountain.
• Bilbo found the Arkenstone, but he didn't give it to Thorin.

1. Gandalf wants the elves to _____ their anger with the dwarves.
   explain
   forget
   use
   
   
2. Gandalf tells Bard and Thranduil that they will be attacked by an army of _____.
   orcs
   humans
   goblins
   dwarves
   halflings
   
   
3. Gandalf says that the actions of ____ are causing this new enemy to attack.
   Bard and the people of Lake-town
   Thorin and the dwarves
   Thranduil and the elves
   
   
4. This new enemy wants _____.
   the gold in the mountain
   control of the mountain
   the white gems
   the Arkenstone
   
   
5. Bofur tells Bilbo to go inside because ____.
   it is windy
   it is dangerous
   Thorin might get angry
   he doesn't trust Bilbo
   
   
6. Bilbo says he came outside to ____.
   talk to Bombur
   talk to Thorin
   escape the mountain
   escape the bad smell inside
   
   
7. Bofur thinks that they will ____ in the battle.
   die
   lose
   find glory
   be victorious
   
   
8. Bofur suggests that Bilbo _____.
   avoid Thorin
   leave the mountain
   hide during the battle
   
   
9. _____ has the next watch.
   Fili
   Bilbo
   Bombur
   Thorin
   
   
10. Bard thinks that the dwarves _____ surrender.
    will
    won't
    
    
11. Bilbo thinks that the dwarves _____ surrender.
    will
    won't
    
    
12. Thranduil ______ Bilbo.
    recognizes
    doesn't recognize
    
    
13. Bilbo ______ Bard and Thranduil
    shows the Arkenstone to
    gives the Arkenstone to
    steals the Arkenstone from
    hides the Arkenstone from
    
    
14. Bilbo claims that he took the Arkenstone _____.
    to make Thorin angry
    because it is beautiful
    as his payment for the quest
    
    
15. Bilbo thinks the dwarves are _____, _____, _____, _____, and _____.
    brave
    difficult
    dirty
    funny
    loyal
    rude
    smart
    strong
    stubborn
    
    
16. Bilbo took the Arkenstone to _____.
    bring back to the Shire
    protect the dwarves
    sell for gold
    get revenge
    
    
17. Bilbo hopes that they can _____.
    allow the dwarves to leave the mountain safely
    trade the Arkenstone for some gold
    fight together against the orcs
    defeat the dwarves in a war
    
    

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Directions: Write sentences about the video clip using the words given. You can change the word form or add words, but you cannot change the word order. Use present tense.

Gandalf / ride / Dale / horseback

Gandalf rides [into/through] Dale on horseback.

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Gandalf / warn / Thranduil / Bard / imminent / orc / attack

Gandalf warns Thranduil and Bard about an imminent orc attack.

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Gandalf / ask / them / set / aside / petty / grievance / and / prepare / war

Gandalf asks them to set aside their petty grievances and prepare for war.

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Bilbo / sneak / up / gate / and / begin / tie / rope / large / metal / ring

Bilbo sneaks up to the gate and begins [to tie/tying] a rope [to/onto] a large metal ring.

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Bofur / who / watch / see / Bilbo / and / greet / warm

Bofur, who is on watch, sees Bilbo and greets him warmly.

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Bofur / expect / they / will / die / coming / battle

Bofur expects (that) they will die in the coming battle.

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Bofur / tell / Bilbo / no / one / blame / him / want / run

Bofur tells Bilbo that no one [would/will] blame him for wanting to run away.
Bofur tells Bilbo that no one [would/will] blame him if he wants to run away.

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Bilbo / assure / Bofur / he / will / see / him / morning

Bilbo assures Bofur (that) he will see him in the morning.

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Gandalf / urge / Bard / give / plan / attack / dwarf

Gandalf urges Bard to give up [his/the] plan to attack the dwarves.

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Bard / not / expect / the / dwarf / fight

Bard doesn't expect the dwarves to fight.

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Bilbo / sudden / appear / and / assure / Bard / dwarf / will / fight / death

Bilbo suddenly appears and assures Bard (that) the dwarves will fight to the death.

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Thranduil / recognize / Bilbo / as / halfling / stole / dungeon / key / under / nose / guard

Thranduil recognizes Bilbo as the halfling [who/that] stole [his/the] dungeon keys from under the nose(s) of his guards.

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Bilbo / give / Arkenstone / Bard / Thranduil / use / bargain / dwarf.

Bilbo gives the Arkenstone to Bard and Thranduil to use to bargain with the dwarves.

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Bilbo / explain / he / take / Arkenstone / as / fourteen / share / treasure

Bilbo explains (that) he took the Arkenstone as his fourteenth share of the treasure.

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Bilbo / explain / he / wish / save / dwarf / if / he / can

Bilbo explains (that) he wishes to save the dwarves if he can.

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Bilbo / believe / Thorin / will / give / human / what / they / owe / exchange / Arkenstone

Bilbo believes (that) Thorin will give the humans what they are owed in exchange for the Arkenstone.

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The text below is from the [ original novel ].

1. Which parts of the video are the same as the novel?
2. Which parts of the video are different from the novel?
3. Which parts of the novel are not in the video?

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Now the days passed slowly and wearily. Many of the dwarves spent their time piling and ordering the treasure; and now Thorin spoke of the Arkenstone of Thrain, and bade them eagerly to look for it in every corner.

“For the Arkenstone of my father,” he said, “is worth more than a river of gold in itself, and to me it is beyond price. That stone of all the treasure I name unto myself, and I will be avenged on anyone who finds it and withholds it.”

Bilbo heard these words and he grew afraid, wondering what would happen, if the stone was found—wrapped in an old bundle of tattered oddments that he used as a pillow. All the same he did not speak of it, for as the weariness of the days grew heavier, the beginnings of a plan had come into his little head.

Things had gone on like this for some time, when the ravens brought news that Dain and more than five hundred dwarves, hurrying from the Iron Hills, were now within about two days’ march of Dale, coming from the North-East.

That night Bilbo made up his mind. The sky was black and moonless. As soon as it was full dark, he went to a corner of an inner chamber just within the gate and drew from his bundle a rope, and also the Arkenstone wrapped in a rag. Then he climbed to the top of the wall. Only Bombur was there, for it was his turn to watch, and the dwarves kept only one watchman at a time.

“It is mighty cold!” said Bombur. “I wish we could have a fire up here as they have in the camp!”

“It is warm enough inside,” said Bilbo.

“I daresay; but I am bound here till midnight,” grumbled the fat dwarf. “A sorry business altogether. Not that I venture to disagree with Thorin, may his beard grow ever longer; yet he was ever a dwarf with a stiff neck.”

“Not as stiff as my legs,” said Bilbo. “I am tired of stairs and stone passages.

I would give a good deal for the feel of grass at my toes.”

“I would give a good deal for the feel of a strong drink in my throat, and for a soft bed after a good supper!”

“I can’t give you those, while the siege is going on. But it is long since I watched, and I will take your turn for you, if you like. There is no sleep in me tonight.”

“You are a good fellow, Mr. Baggins, and I will take your offer kindly. If there should be anything to note, rouse me first, mind you! I will lie in the inner chamber to the left, not far away.”

“Off you go!” said Bilbo. “I will wake you at midnight, and you can wake the next watchman.”

As soon as Bombur had gone, Bilbo put on his ring, fastened his rope, slipped down over the wall, and was gone. He had about five hours before him. Bombur would sleep (he could sleep at any time, and ever since the adventure in the forest he was always trying to recapture the beautiful dreams he had then); and all the others were busy with Thorin. It was unlikely that any, even Fili or Kili, would come out on the wall until it was their turn.

It was very dark, and the road after a while, when he left the newly made path and climbed down towards the lower course of the stream, was strange to him.

At last he came to the bend where he had to cross the water, if he was to make for the camp, as he wished. The bed of the stream was there shallow but already broad, and fording it in the dark was not easy for the little hobbit. He was nearly across when he missed his footing on a round stone and fell into the cold water with a splash. He had barely scrambled out on the far bank, shivering and spluttering, when up came elves in the gloom with bright lanterns and searched for the cause of the noise.

“That was no fish!” one said. “There is a spy about. Hide your lights! They will help him more than us, if it is that queer little creature that is said to be their servant.”

“Servant, indeed!” snorted Bilbo. “Let’s have a light!” he said. “I am here, if you want me!” and he slipped off his ring, and popped from behind a rock.

They seized him quickly, in spite of their surprise. “Who are you? Are you the dwarves’ hobbit?”

“I am Mr. Bilbo Baggins,” he answered, “companion of Thorin, if you want to know. I know your king well by sight, though perhaps he doesn’t know me to look at. But Bard will remember me, and it is Bard I particularly want to see.”

“Indeed!” said they, “and what may be your business?”

“Whatever it is, it’s my own, my good elves. But if you wish ever to get back to your own woods from this cold cheerless place,” he answered shivering, “you will take me along quick to a fire, where I can dry—and then you will let me speak to your chiefs as quick as may be. I have only an hour or two to spare.”

That is how it came about that some two hours after his escape from the Gate, Bilbo was sitting beside a warm fire in front of a large tent, and there sat too, gazing curiously at him, both the Elvenking and Bard. A hobbit in elvish armour, partly wrapped in an old blanket, was something new to them.

“Really you know,” Bilbo was saying in his best business manner, “things are impossible. Personally I am tired of the whole affair. I wish I was back in the West in my own home, where folk are more reasonable. But I have an interest in this matter—one fourteenth share, to be precise, according to a letter, which fortunately I believe I have kept.” He drew from a pocket in his old jacket (which he still wore over his mail), crumpled and much folded, Thorin’s letter.

Personally I am only too ready to consider all your claims carefully, and deduct what is right from the total before putting in my own claim. However you don’t know Thorin Oakenshield as well as I do now. I assure you, he is quite ready to sit on a heap of gold and starve, as long as you sit here.”

“Well, let him!” said Bard. “Such a fool deserves to starve.”

“Quite so,” said Bilbo. “I see your point of view. At the same time winter is coming on fast. Before long you will be having snow and what not, and supplies will be difficult—even for elves I imagine. Also there will be other difficulties. You have not heard of Dain and the dwarves of the Iron Hills?”

“We have, a long time ago; but what has he got to do with us?” asked the king.

“I thought as much. I see I have some information you have not got. Dain, I may tell you, is now less than two days’ march off, and has at least five hundred grim dwarves with him—a good many of them have had experience in the dreadful dwarf and goblin wars, of which you have no doubt heard. When they arrive there may be serious trouble.”

“Why do you tell us this? Are you betraying your friends, or are you threatening us?” asked Bard grimly.

“My dear Bard!” squeaked Bilbo. “Don’t be so hasty! I never met such suspicious folk! I am merely trying to avoid trouble for all concerned. Now I will make you an offer! !”

“Let us hear it!” they said.

“You may see it!” said he. “It is this!” and he drew forth the Arkenstone, and threw away the wrapping.

The Elvenking himself, whose eyes were used to things of wonder and beauty, stood up in amazement. Even Bard gazed marvelling at it in silence. It was as if a globe had been filled with moonlight and hung before them in a net woven of the glint of frosty stars.

“This is the Arkenstone of Thrain,” said Bilbo, “the Heart of the Mountain; and it is also the heart of Thorin. He values it above a river of gold. I give it to you. It will aid you in your bargaining.” Then Bilbo handed the marvellous stone to Bard.

Bard held it in his hand, as though dazed. “But how is it yours to give?”

“O well!” said the hobbit uncomfortably. “It isn’t exactly; but, well, I am willing to let it stand against all my claim, don’t you know. I may be a burglar— or so they say: personally I never really felt like one—but I am an honest one, I hope, more or less. Anyway I am going back now, and the dwarves can do what they like to me. I hope you will find it useful.”

The Elvenking looked at Bilbo with a new wonder. “Bilbo Baggins!” he said. “You are more truly worthy to wear the armour of elf-princes. But I wonder if Thorin Oakenshield will see it so. I have more knowledge of dwarves in general than you have perhaps. I advise you to remain with us, and here you shall be honoured and welcome.”

“Thank you very much I am sure,” said Bilbo with a bow. “But I don’t think I ought to leave my friends like this after all we have gone through together. And I promised to wake old Bombur at midnight, too! Really I must be going, and quickly.”

Nothing they could say would stop him; so an escort was provided for him, and as he went both the king and Bard saluted him with honour. As they passed through the camp an old man, wrapped in a dark cloak, rose from a tent door where he was sitting and came towards them.

“Well done! Mr. Baggins!” he said, clapping Bilbo on the back. “There is always more about you than anyone expects!” It was Gandalf.

For the first time for many a day Bilbo was really delighted. But there was no time for all the questions that he immediately wished to ask.

“All in good time!” said Gandalf. “Things are drawing towards the end now, unless I am mistaken. There is an unpleasant time just in front of you; but keep your heart up! You may come through all right. There is news brewing that even the ravens have not heard. Good night!”

Puzzled but cheered, Bilbo hurried on. He was guided to a safe ford and set across dry, and then he said farewell to the elves and climbed carefully back towards the Gate. Great weariness began to come over him; but it was well before midnight when he clambered up the rope again—it was still where he had left it. He untied it and hid it, and then he sat down on the wall and wondered anxiously what would happen next.

At midnight he woke up Bombur; and then in turn rolled himself up in his corner, without listening to the old dwarf’s thanks (which he felt he had hardly earned). He was soon fast asleep forgetting all his worries till the morning. As a matter of fact, he was dreaming of eggs and bacon.

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[ printable .pdf ]

1. Bilbo says "I will see you in the morning." But Bofur says, "Goodbye." How are the meaning of these two expressions different? How do they show what each character is thinking?
2. Gandalf is clearly very fond of Bilbo. In your opinion, what is Thranduil's opinion of Bilbo? What is Bard's opinion of Bilbo?
3. Bilbo describes both the good and bad qualities of the dwarves. Can you think of an example (from the movie or book) of each of these qualities:
   
   
   1. obstinate / stubborn
   2. difficult
   3. rude
   4. suspicious
   5. secretive
   6. brave
   7. kind
   8. loyal to a fault
4. Bilbo took the Arkenstone and gave it to Bard and Thranduil. Did he betray Thorin? Did he betray the other dwarves? Explain your answer.
5. Choose two adjectives that best describe each of the dwarves below. In what part of the story did each character show these qualities?

   Thorin	Balin	Bombur	Fili & Kili	Bofur