Which inference can be drawn about Bilbo's character in The Hobbit?
His initial fears about his inability are true; he isn't a good choice for the quest.
He struggles to keep the dwarves' attention, and he feels unappreciated by them.
He is quick thinking and clever, but still needs a lot of luck to survive the trials of the quest.
He is stronger than he thought, and he wants to finish the quest without the untrustworthy dwarves.
Part B
Which excerpts best support the answer in Part A?
Select the two correct answers.
"With the willing help of Fili and Kili, Thorin and Bilbo at last discovered the remainder of the company and got them out. Poor fat Bombur was asleep or senseless; Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin and Gloin were waterlogged and seemed only half alive; they all had to be carried one by one and laid helpless on the shore."
"The butler went on talking and laughing to himself for a while without seeming to notice, but soon his head too nodded to the table, and he fell asleep and snored beside his friend. Then in crept the hobbit. Very soon the chief guard had no keys, but Bilbo was trotting as fast as he could along the passages towards the cells."
"'Would this be any good?" asked Bilbo, when they were getting tired and angry. "I found it on the ground where the trolls had their fight." He held out a largish key, though William had thought it very small and secret."
"Fili and Kili, however, who were young (for dwarves) and had also been packed more neatly with plenty of straw into smaller casks, came out more or less smiling, with only a bruise or two and a stiffness that soon wore off.
"''I hope I never smell the smell of apples again!' said Fili. 'My tub was full of it. To smell apples everlastingly when you can scarcely move and are cold and sick with hunger is maddening. I could eat anything in the wide world now, for hours on end—but not an apple!'"
The two excerpts that best support the inference about Bilbo's character in Part A are:
1. "With the willing help of Fili and Kili, Thorin and Bilbo at last discovered the remainder of the company and got them out. Poor fat Bombur was asleep or senseless; Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin and Gloin were waterlogged and seemed only half alive; they all had to be carried one by one and laid helpless on the shore."
This excerpt shows that despite his initial fears and doubts about his abilities, Bilbo is able to help rescue his companions and carry them to safety. It highlights his strength and determination.
2. "The butler went on talking and laughing to himself for a while without seeming to notice, but soon his head too nodded to the table, and he fell asleep and snored beside his friend. Then in crept the hobbit. Very soon the chief guard had no keys, but Bilbo was trotting as fast as he could along the passages towards the cells."
This excerpt demonstrates Bilbo's quick thinking and cleverness. He is able to outsmart the chief guard and successfully acquire the keys. It shows that he is resourceful and capable of overcoming obstacles.