Even Gandalf Can't Pass This Impossible Lord Of The Rings Quiz
- by Rose Moore
- – on
- in Movies and TV
You shall not pass... or shall you? The Lord of the Rings is one of the best known fantasy trilogies of all time, telling the story of a single Hobbit who found himself holding one of the most powerful and dangerous objects ever made, and who has to journey across his world in order to destroy it. Joined by friends and pursued by foes of all the races of his land, this is the story of the ultimate quest, sprawling across a fantasy world. First published in the '50s, this world has endured, and in 2001, the first of three films based on the trilogy was released. The films brought the world that J R R Tokien created to life on the big screen, and introduced a whole new generation of fans to Frodo, Gandalf, and the people that they meet along the way.
But how well do you know The Lord of the Rings? Are you someone who has read all the books, watched all the movies, and complained about the differences between the two? Maybe you've just read or watched, but not both, and maybe you are a hardcore fan, or someone who just thought that they were fun films with a lot of sword swinging. Test your Lord of the Rings knowledge with our quiz, and see if you can claim to be a 'true fan' of this fantasy world...
What is Bilbo's last name?
Bilbo and Frodo are the two hobbits at the center of the adventures of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. These two are taken by Gandalf off on adventures far outside of the Shire, although they come back home to their cosy Hobbit holes once their adventures across Middle Earth are done... and because of that adventuring (and their friendship with Gandalf), this family has developed a bit of a reputation as troublemakers! What is their shared last name?
What name did Aragorn use when in disguise?
Although by the end of The Lord of the Rings, Aragorn has taken his rightful place as ruler of the race of men, and everyone in Middle Earth knows his name... at the start of the trilogy, he was a mysterious figure. The Hobbits first ran into him in Bree, where he was sitting in the shadows of the inn, and using a very different name in order to disguise himself - what was the name that Aragorn was known by?
What city is Faramir forced to try and retake?
Faramir, the younger of two brothers in line to the stewardship of Minas Tirith, doesn't have an easy time with his father, Denethor. Although he strives to do his best, his father constantly compares him unfavorably to his older brother, and as war breaks out and the Orcs try to storm the city of Men, Denethor sets Faramir an impossible task. He is told to ride out, and retake the city outside Minas Tirith, even though it is overrun. Which city is this?
How many Rings of Power are there?
While the Lord of the Rings is mostly concerned with the One Ring, this is not the only ring of power that was forged and given to the peoples of Middle Earth. There were actually multiple rings of power, handed over to representatives of multiple races; the elves, the men, and the dwarves. These rings are controlled by the One Ring, that was held by Sauron himself, and they still exist in Middle Earth by the time of The Lord of the Rings.
Who does Sam marry?
Although there aren't a huge number of love stories in The Lord of the Rings (and they are certainly secondary to the epic quest that the heroes go on), there are a few... including one for Sam! Before setting out on his journey, he had a crush on the local barmaid, but was too nervous to do anything about it. However, after traveling to Mount Doom and back, he was able to get up the courage to ask her out... and eventually to ask her to marry him!
How many stone Trolls does Frodo find in the clearing?
The Stone Trolls are figures that appear in both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings - although in the Hobbit, they don't start out as stone! These trolls were turned to stone in front of Bilbo, and Frodo stumbles on them in his own quest, recognizing them from the stories that his beloved older relative used to tell (and getting a sense of how scary his adventure truly was). How many trolls were there in the clearing when Frodo saw them?
Who calls Saruman 'Sauron's puppet'?
At one time, Saruman was a good wizard - the kind of man who could be counted on to work for the good of Middle Earth, and a friend and ally to Gandalf and the Elves. However, by the time of the events of The Lord of the Rings, Saruman has been corrupted, and is discovered to be working with Sauron himself. Which character in the films is it who describes the White Wizards as a puppet of the Dark One, Sauron?
What was Gollum's original name?
By the time that Frodo and Sam meet Gollum, he is a husk of his former self. His obsession with the One Ring has turned him from a more human creature into the twisted, skeletal thing that we see in the films. However, when he first found the One Ring, Gollum was one of the Riverfolk, a race similar to Hobbits, and he had a very different name - one that Frodo learns, and chooses to call him to remind him of his better self.
Who leads Frodo to Shelob's lair?
Although Frodo comes close to danger, and even near death, many times on his epic journey, it is in Shelob's lair that it seems he may actually have died. This giant spider lurks in the caves above Mordor, and traps unwary wanderers in her webs. She stabs Frodo in the stomach, paralyzing him before eating him (although Sam doesn't know that when he comes to rescue his friend). This meeting with Shelob wasn't accidental, either - who led Frodo to her?
What is the name of the Inn at Bree?
When Frodo and the other Hobbits first leave the Shire, they are told that they should head to the nearby town of Bree - a place inhabited by men, but where Hobbits are not entirely uncommon. They are meant to meet Gandalf at an inn there, but the wizard doesn't show up - and thankfully, Aragorn is there to help protect the Hobbits instead of Gandalf, and take them on the next stage of their journey. What is the name of the inn?
What is the name of Frodo's blade?
Bilbo gave Frodo a few things that he picked up on his own journeys, in order to help his young friend on his quest - including a blade. This short sword was made by the Elves, and has a very useful magical power - it glows with a blue light when orcs are nearby, to warn the person who wields it (if they remember to check it in its scabbard, that is!). What is the name of this famous blade?
Which Hobbit becomes a guard of the citadel?
Over the course of the trilogy, the Hobbits who started out together end up separated - while Frodo attempts to carry the ring alone, one of the Hobbits ends up being taken by Gandalf alone to Minastirith. Although the wizard warned the Hobbit not to say anything in front of the Steward, he simply could not keep his impetuous nature contained, and ends up blurting out allegiance and becoming named as a guard of the citadel - which of the hobbits is this?
What is the name of Theoden's niece?
One of the few major female characters in the trilogy is this maiden of Rohan. Niece to the King of Rohan, she is a brave and stalwart warrior (even when she is supposed to be staying behind from the battles). It is a good thing that she is determined to fight, however, as she is the one to kill the Witch King. She also falls for Aragorn, although this is a romance that can't go anywhere, as his heart belongs to another. What is her name?
What is the password to open the Gates of Moria?
The Fellowship first intends to head to Moria in order to enjoy the hospitality of the Dwarves who live there - but their plans (like so many on the way) do not work out quite the way they had intended. The Dwarves have been slain, and the Fellowship must run from the monsters that now live in the mines - including a Balrog! Before they know this, though, they must open the gates to enter the mines - what is the word they must speak to do so?
What is the name of the forest where Merry and Pippin meet an Ent?
One of the many fantastical creatures that the members of the Fellowship meet on the journey is an Ent, named Treebeard. Merry and Pippin stumble into the Ent (quite literally), when they run into a gloomy forest in an attempt to escape the band of Orcs that have captured them - and for a moment, it seems as though the Ent is going to be a worse enemy. However, he soon becomes an ally to the Hobbits, and battles Saruman with the rest of his kind.
What is the name of the horse Gandalf rides?
When Gandalf returns from the dead (after his battle with the Balrog), he calls a horse to him - one that Legolas describes as a Mearas, and Gandalf calls him the Lord of All Horses. He is a horse of legend, able to understand men's speech and faster than any other horse in Middle Earth, and Gandalf says that they have been together many times in the past. He also uses another name for the Lord of Horses - what is it?
How many pieces was Narsil broken into?
Narsil is one of the many named swords in The Lord of the Rings - and the one that was used by Isildur to cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger. However, this shattered the blade, and the pieces were gathered up and brought back to Rivendell, where they lay on a velvet pedestal for many years... that is, until the elves decided to re-forge the sword so that Aragorn would be able to use it as Isildur's rightful heir.
What kind of creature attacks the people of Rohan on the way to Helm's Deep?
When the people of Rohan learn that there are armies coming to destroy them, some of the Fellowship think that they should stand and fight. However, the King of Rohan has other ideas - he takes his people to the shelter of Helm's Deep in order to try and protect them. While they are marching, however, they are ambushed by Saruman's forces, as he sends out riders on what kind of scary creature in order to try and kill as many as they can?
What does Gollum call the One Ring?
Gollum is truly obsessed with the One Ring - in order to get it, he killed his closest friend and was cast out of his home, and in order to keep it, he will go to any lengths. The Ring makes him murder, starve, and steal, but still he loves it more than anything in the world - and at night, he mutters to himself about the Ring, and how to get it back. What does he call the One Ring?
What does Legolas offer to get Gimli at Helm's Deep?
Legolas and Gimli have one of the best friendships in the trilogy - especially as it is one that develops from hatred in the start. The two compete over the number of kills that they can get in battle, and maintain a friendly rivalry and banter throughout their journey. When at Helm's Deep, standing at the wall and waiting for battle to commence, Gimli says that he is at a disadvantage, and Legolas jokingly offers to get him something - what is it?
What is another name for a Hobbit?
The Hobbits of Middle Earth are known by a few different names - although not all of the other races are familiar with them at all, let alone the different things that they can be called! Because the Hobbits tend to stay in the Shire where they live, farming and enjoying the comfort of their Hobbit Holes, they don't often explore the parts of Middle Earth where other races hold sway. Which of these is another name that a Hobbit might be known as?
What is Bilbo's chainmail shirt made of?
As well as gifting Frodo with his sword, Sting, Bilbo gives him a second gift that will help him on his quest. This is a slim and delicate chainmail shirt, to be worn under his clothes, and it is said to be strong enough to stop almost any weapon, but so light that he will barely feel himself wearing it. It saves his life while he is on his quest and is stabbed, but what is the metal that this shirt is made of?
What are the RingWraiths also called?
The RingWraiths are a company of black-clad wraiths, who do the bidding of Sauron. Once they were great Kings of Men, the ones who were gifted the Rings of Power. Taking the Rings led them into darkness, and into the will of Sauron, and destroyed them, giving them a ghostlike appearance. At the start of the Lord of the Rings, they ride black horses, but later ride vicious Fellbeasts. What is the other name for this company of Ring Wraiths?
Who is Faramir's brother?
While Faramir remained in Gondor, doing the work of his father and Steward, his brother journeyed to Rivendell to see what was to be done with the One Ring. He became one of the men who joined the Fellowship, but was tempted by the Ring himself. While traveling, he tried to take it from Frodo to save his land, and ended up dying when a party of Orcs descended on them - what was the first name of Faramir's brother?
What is the name of the ferry the Hobbits use to escape the Nazgul?
When the Hobbits are journeying out of the Shire for the first time, they are hunted by the Nazgul, who have learned that the Ring is in the possession of a Baggins from the Shire. As they race towards Bree, they are forced to hide from the Nazgul, and later to run from them - although they are able to escape by leaping onto a ferry, knowing that the horses of the Nazgul cannot follow - what is the name of this ferry?
Who is Gimli's father?
Gimli is the dwarf that represents his race in the Fellowship of the Ring, and who wields an axe against Sauron and his followers. He is also the son of one of the dwarves who journeyed with Bilbo in the tale of the Hobbit - although this is only briefly mentioned in the films, when Gimil is introduced as the 'son of...'. Which of the thirteen dwarves who set out to slay the dragon is the father of The Lord of the Rings' Gimli?
What two weapons does the Balrog have?
When under the mountains, the Fellowship are attacked by a Balrog, a flaming beast with horns of an absolutely enormous size. As the Fellowship ran from the Balrog and tried to get out of the caves alive, they were nearly overtaken by the beast, and would have been lost if it were not for Gandalf. The wizard stood in the path of the Balrog, and used all his strength to stop him - what two weapons was the Balrog holding?
Who falls into the water of the Dead Marshes?
On Sam and Frodo's journey to Mordor, they pass through the Dead Marshes. Once, this space was the site of a great battle, and many elves and men fell here. Their bodies were lost to the waters, where they can be seen floating under the surface - and where little lights dance, tempting in those who might be unwary enough to become entranced by them and fall in to the water. This happened to one of the travelers in The Lord of the Rings - who was it?
What job does Sam do for Frodo?
Sam is Frodo's constant companion on his journey into Mordor - and even when Frodo attempts to drive him away, he refuses to go. Sam saves Frodo's life more than once, and his loyalty and friendship is unparalleled - but how do Sam and Frodo know each other? Back in the Shire, they were friends, of course - but this is not the only connection that they have. Sam also did a job for Frodo in the Shire - what was it?
What is the name of the Fellowship's pony?
Although there are many horses and ponies in The Lord of the Rings, there is one little pony who is an absolute fan favorite. This is the pony who was purchased by the Hobbits in Bree, after their own animals were lost, and he came with the Hobbits to Rivendell and beyond. Sam in particular grew very attached to the pony, who fled the group outside the mines of Moria (but made it home safe). What was the name of this little pony?
What is the name of the orb that Saruman used?
Saruman has many magical tricks that he uses in order to battle on behalf of Sauron - and his power is not something to be sneered at. When it comes to communicating with his dark master, he uses a glowing orb - one that falls from his tower after his works are destroyed and he is trapped there. It is Pippin who finds the orb, and who curiously looks into it, until Gandalf takes it away. What are these orbs called?
Who led the elves that joined the battle at Helm's Deep?
The battle of Helm's Deep is one where the books and the films deviate from each other in a huge way - with the films showing that the men of Rohan did not have to stand alone against the might of Saruman's army. Instead, they were joined by a company of elves, who were incredibly helpful in holding the fortress of Helm's Deep. (In the books, this doesn't happen). Which elf is it who led this force in the films?
What is the name of Saruman's tower?
The second installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is called 'The Two Towers' - a reference to the tower in Mordor that is topped by the Eye of Sauron, and the tower that serves as the home of Saruman, the White Wizard. It is between these two towers that Sauron and Saruman plot the fall of Middle Earth - although Saruman's tower is overrun by Ents in the Last March of the Ents, and he is trapped within. What is the name of this tower?
What is the name of Aragorn's love?
It's easy to see why women fall in love with Aragorn - but there is only one woman for him. An elf, this woman is the one that Aragorn eventually marries, and has a son with after he is crowned King of Gondor - something that we see flashes of in the films. She is also the person who saves Frodo after he is stabbed at weathertop, and who convinces her father to re-forge the sword Narsil for Aragorn. What is her name?
Finally, complete the inscription on the One Ring...
Probably the most famous words in The Lord of the Rings are the ones inscribed upon the One Ring. These words only appear when the Ring is heated - as Frodo and Gandalf find out when they throw it in the fire - and they tell the history and purpose of the Ring in the form of a simple verse. Complete this inscription "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all..."