The Hobbit Vocabulary | 10 Essential Words | J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit - Essential Vocabulary | CramBookNotes
CRAMBOOKNOTES Vocab Series

Essential Vocabulary

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Middle School Grades 7-9 10 Key Words Fantasy / Quest - 1937
Need a full summary? Check out our The Hobbit - 5-Minute Cram Notes
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Word List

Word Part of Speech Definition Example from the Book
Quest noun A long and difficult journey undertaken to achieve something important "Gandalf's arrival transforms Bilbo's comfortable life into a quest to reclaim Erebor."
Reluctant adjective Unwilling and hesitant; not eager to do something "Bilbo is the reluctant hero - he refuses the adventure, then runs out without a handkerchief."
Cunning adjective Clever and skillful, especially through trickery or deception "Bilbo outwits Gollum in the riddle game through cunning, not strength."
Greed noun Intense and selfish desire for wealth or power beyond what one needs "Thorin's greed - the dragon-sickness - nearly destroys everything the company achieved."
Valor noun Great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle "Bilbo discovers his valor in the spider tunnels and names his sword Sting."
Prophecy noun A prediction of future events, especially one regarded as divinely inspired "The dwarves' quest is partly driven by prophecy - the reference to a Thief in the Shadows."
Treacherous adjective Dangerous and unpredictable; not to be relied upon "The Misty Mountains proved treacherous - goblins, underground rivers, and Gollum's cave."
Transformation noun A thorough or dramatic change in character or nature "Bilbo's transformation from a comfort-obsessed hobbit into a confident adventurer is the novel's true subject."
Riddle noun A question or statement requiring ingenuity to answer; a puzzle "The riddle game with Gollum operates under ancient rules - Bilbo's victory saves his life."
Perseverance noun Continued effort and determination in spite of difficulty or failure "The company's perseverance through trolls, goblins, wargs, and spiders makes their arrival at Erebor feel earned."

Vocabulary Video

Watch - Essential Vocabulary from The Hobbit

Practice Quiz

The Hobbit - Vocabulary Quiz

Question 1 of 10

Gandalf's arrival transforms Bilbo's comfortable life into a __________ - thirteen dwarves and a wizard set off to reclaim Erebor from the dragon Smaug.

Question 2 of 10

Bilbo begins as a thoroughly __________ adventurer - he faints at the word dragon, refuses the quest, and is described by Gandalf as needing encouragement.

Question 3 of 10

Bilbo's greatest asset turns out to be __________ - he escapes Gollum, tricks the trolls, and outwits the spiders through quick thinking rather than force.

Question 4 of 10

Tolkien uses Thorin's __________ - the dragon-sickness - as a warning: the treasure that was worth risking everything to reclaim nearly causes him to betray his companions.

Question 5 of 10

Bilbo discovers his own __________ in the spider tunnels - he names his sword Sting after the battle, recognizing for the first time he is capable of real courage.

Question 6 of 10

Gandalf's choice of Bilbo is guided by __________ - the Thief in the Shadows reference suggests that Bilbo's involvement is not accidental but destined.

Question 7 of 10

The journey through the Misty Mountains is deliberately __________ - goblin tunnels, underground rivers, and Gollum's cave represent the most dangerous passage.

Question 8 of 10

Tolkien's deepest theme is personal __________ - Bilbo returns home a changed creature, unable to fully return to the life he left but richer in every way that matters.

Question 9 of 10

The __________ contest with Gollum operates under ancient rules - Bilbo wins through cleverness, luck, and a technically questionable final question.

Question 10 of 10

Tolkien rewards __________ throughout the novel - the company faces repeated setbacks but continues forward, and Bilbo's refusal to give up defines his heroism.

out of 10 correct

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