Only True Tolkien Fans Can Pass This The Lord Of The Rings Quiz
- by Rosie_G
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Sure, it would be cool to be a master of mathematics. And yes, it would be pretty neat to know everything there is to know about astrophysics. But could people beat all of their friends at a board game bar with that kind of knowledge? Unless that particular board game bar has some very specific brands of trivia games, then chances are that kind of expertise won't be too useful on Friday nights out on the town. On the other hand, knowing The Lord of the Rings inside out could come in very handy, given how popular nerdy trivia games have become these days. But only foolish souls would go into such a challenge unprepared.
Before fans enter the realm of Tolkien trivia where something as important as a shot could be at stake, we suggest they test themselves out and find out how much they really know about Tolkien's wonderful world of Middle Earth. Fans may think themselves to be masters, but Tolkien created a world with a history as detailed that of our own world, and only true scholars really know everything there is to know about it. Fans should take this quiz to find out if they can count themselves among true Tolkien scholars.
Who decided to take the Fellowship of the Ring into Moria?
At the beginning of their adventure, Frodo and his friends end up forgoing the road over the mountains to take the path through Moria. Underneath the mountain, the group ends up getting chased by goblins, a cave troll, and a giant flaming demon known as a Balrog (thanks to that fool of a Took). Although taking this tunnelled path meant avoiding the possibility of avalanches and storms atop the mountains, it ended up costing the Fellowship of the Ring one of its most trusted members, with Gandalf falling into an abyss while trying to hold off the Balrog. So, who decided to take the group through this treacherous road?
Which races of beings have an age old rivalry?
No fantasy world is complete without its characteristic age-old grudges, from the Lannisters and Targaryens of Game of Thrones to the rivalry of Iron Man and Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The races of Middle Earth have spent eons together, and throughout that time, numerous wars have been fought. In some cases, alliances were formed, and in others, those involved succumbed to bitterness and hatred for one another. But there are two races in particular in Tolkien's world that are famous for their disgust for one another. Which are they?
Which Two Towers does the title of the second instalment reference?
In Middle Earth, there are a lot of towers. The different races may have a lot of differences between them, but they share a love for building giant pillars into the sky. From those built by men to those built by wizards to those built by Sauron, it's kind of hard to keep track of them all. Even though any nerd who's any nerd knows the titles of the three different instalments in the series by heart, not everyone can actually name which two towers the title of the second instalment references.
Why does Frodo decide to leave the Fellowship of the Ring?
One of the most heartbreaking scenes of the entire series was when Frodo decided to leave his friends at the end of the first instalment and sail off across the lake all by himself. When in that kind of end-of-the-world scenario, it's guaranteed to be horrible, but at least Frodo and the Fellowship had each other to rely on throughout the first instalment. But Frodo was willing to give all of that camaraderie up. Why did he decide to do that?
What is the name of the city on the hill in Rohan?
There are a lot of cities in Middle Earth. It can be easy to lose track of all their names. Some are rather easy to remember, like Hobbiton (rather self explanatory, isn't it?), but others seem like they're in a different language (and some actually are). Rivendell isn't so bad, but the name of Minas Tirith can take a bit of mental gymnastics to recall. And one of the most commonly forgotten names is that of Rohan's greatest city. What is it called?
What party trick is Gandalf famous for in Hobbiton?
Gandalf is a pretty famous guy in Middle Earth. After all, there aren't that many wizards in existence, and he's one of the only ones that involves himself in the affairs of Middle Earth on a regular basis (at least, on the side of the good guys *cough* Sarumon *cough*). But he's particularly famous amongst the hobbits for a specific party trick. He may not look like a party animal, but he's someone fans would definitely want at their eleventy-first birthdays.
Which family in Hobbiton is famous for being a bit adventurous?
Hobbits are famous for being unadventurous. They just love predictability. Quests and globe-spanning missions might sound exciting to most of us, but to hobbits, they're nothing but a lot of fuss with a lot of chances to miss breakfast. Instead of going off on daring adventures, hobbits would much rather stay at home with a warm cup of tea, a plate of bacon and a good friend to blow smoke rings on the porch with. But there's one family in Hobbiton that's famous for having something of an adventurous streak.
How many Rings of Power are there in total?
Although the famous name for Sauron's Ring of Power is the One Ring, his isn't the only one in Middle Earth. There's a reason that the poem reads, "One ring to rule them all." The others don't get too much attention over the course of the series, but they're definitely there, popping up every once and awhile as side stories or in digressions. The scariest thing about the One Ring is that the other Rings of Power fall under its control, so once someone has one, they feasibly could control them all. So, do fans know how many there are?
How many wizards are there in Middle Earth?
Gandalf isn't the only wizard present in Middle Earth. He may be the one we see the most over the course of the story, but he's certainly not alone. We see more of the others in the other stories Tolkien wrote about Middle Earth, from The Hobbit to The Silmarillion, but the story of The Lord of the Rings focuses more so on the other races of Middle Earth and their wars, so we don't see as much of the other wizards. So, how many are there?
When does Frodo find out that Gandalf is still alive?
Gandalf supposedly meets his end near the end of the first instalment of the series, seemingly falling to his demise in Moria, but as we find out in the second instalment, he never truly perished. Rather, he fought off the Balrog and was reborn as the White Wizard. But not all the characters find out that their friend is still alive at the same time. So, when Frodo found out that his dear friend had not actually perished in the mines of Moria?
What inspires the Ents to go to war?
The Ents end up being a driving force behind the victory of the men of Rohan over Sarumon. Alongside Merry and Pippin, they attack Isengard and lay waste to its facilities, ending the weapons manufacturing and army building that had been going on at the compound beforehand. But they didn't always want to join in the war. They saw themselves as independent and didn't want to involve themselves in drama that didn't concern them. Luckily, though, they changed their minds. What caused this?
What draws the Ringwraiths to the hobbits at Weathertop?
When the hobbits and Aragorn reach Weathertop, Aragorn leaves them alone for awhile, leaving the hobbits to their own devices. Unfortunately, the Ringwraiths end up finding the hobbits there, leading to a fight, during which the Witch King stabs Frodo. Given that the blade the Witch King uses is a Morgul blade, the wound is serious, and the hobbits have to rush to Rivendell to save Frodo's life. So, what drew the Ringwraiths to the hobbits in the first place?
What is the name of the town on the river where Faramirs' forces lose to Sauron's army?
Sauron's army is no joke. Although the men of Gondor put up a good fight, they end up losing one of their towns to the armies of Sauron. Under the command of Faramir, the regiment that loses the town returns to Minas Tirith. Once back, Denethor orders the regiment to return to the lost town to try to win it back, which is essentially a one way trip. But, trying to be a loyal son, Faramir obeys, returning to the town and losing most of his men in the process. So, what is the name of this town?
What was the original name of Aragorn's sword?
Much like people here on Earth name their cars, the people of Middle Earth love to name their weapons. Every sword has its title, and the great weapons of Middle Earth history have their names repeated over and over again in the myths of old. A few of the weapons in The Lord of the Rings will go down, from Frodo's sword to Aragorn's. But Aragorn's sword is particularly special given that it was forged from the shards of the infamous sword that was broken. So, what was this sword's name before it was shattered?
What is the metal that Frodo's chainmail is made out of?
Bilbo gives Frodo a few items to take with him on his adventure. The most famous, of course, is the One Ring that Bilbo acquired from Gollum- the very thing that the entire quest is centred around. But Bilbo also gifts Frodo a chainmail shirt that ends up saving his life. In the mines of Moria, it prevents a sword from piercing his torso (poor Frodo gets stabbed a lot). So, which tough metal is this lucky shirt made out of?
What are Sam's final words in the series?
When such an epic story as The Lord of the Rings comes to an end, it's natural to expect some pretty moving words for the closing chapter. The honour falls on Samwise Gamgee, who utters a single sentence to close out the series. Although Frodo may have seemed like the central character in the series, in some ways, Sam was the true hero, putting his own needs and any semblance of ambition that he might have felt on hold in order to help his friend make it through the most trying time in his life. So it seems fitting that the final words of the series are Sam's. What were they?
How many Palantiri, or Seeing-stones, are in Middle Earth?
In Middle Earth, they have their own magical version of Skype. But instead of having to plop down in front of a computer and battle with sketchy WiFi to get connected, all they need is a purse big enough to hold an enormous pebble. Palantiri are large, spherical stone-like objects that can connect two different places to each other. They can be used to communicate, or, as Pippin realizes, to spy. So, how many of these Seeing-stones are in Middle Earth?
In which language is the script on the One Ring written?
At the start of the first movie, our first introduction to the One Ring is when Gandalf throws it into the fire at Bilbo's hobbit hole, much to Frodo's alarm. After baking in the fireplace for a bit, the ring is removed and a fiery script appears across its surface. Seeing this script, Gandalf realizes that it isn't just any ring they have in their possession- it's the One Ring that disappeared all those years ago. So, what language is this script written in?
What is the name of the monster that waits for Frodo in the paths at Cirith Ungol?
At first, Gollum and Frodo have something of an amicable relationship. It starts out a bit rocky, but slowly, Frodo builds trust with the creature's innate personality, which has the name of Smeagol. This trust leads Smeagol to banish his insidious alter-ego and live a carefree life without Gollum's interference. However, when Frodo seemingly betrays Gollum to Faramir's troops (although in reality he was saving his life), Gollum returns to Smeagol and they plot to bring Frodo to his doom in Cirith Ungol. What is the name of the monster there?
Which of the following ISN'T suggested as a solution to the problem of the Ring by the Council of Elrond?
After Gandalf realizes that the ring in Bilbo's pocket is indeed the One Ring of Power, he scurries to get it somewhere safe. Frodo and Sam start on a journey to take it to Rivendell, and once they arrive, a council made up of all the races of Middle Earth convenes to discuss the fate of the land and the One Ring. Many options are discussed, given how powerful the Ring in their possession is. Which of the following is NOT discussed?
What is the name of the Elvish bread that Frodo and Sam eat on their journey?
When they visit Lothlorien, the Fellowship of the Ring is in a pitiful state. Having just escaped the Mines of Moria, they're still mourning the loss of Gandalf, one of their most beloved members. After enjoying the hospitality of the Elves for awhile (and seeing Galadriel go a bit nuts over the Ring), the Fellowship sets out with many gifts from the Elves in their bags. One of these gifts is a huge supply of Elven bread to keep their bellies full. What is the name of this bread?
What is the gift that Galadriel gives to Gimli?
Although Elves and Dwarves typically don't get along, Galadriel charms Gimli down to his core. When he first arrived in the forest, he was sure he'd be meeting some sort of evil sorceress, but when he actually laid eyes on Galadriel, it was as close to love at first sight as one can get. He instantly realized that the Lady of Lothlorien was anything but evil. When he was departing, he got a particularly special gift from Galadriel. What was it?
Which of the following would NOT be considered a staple of hobbit cuisine?
Hobbits love to eat. It's basically the cornerstone of their culture. They farm, they go to taverns, and they EAT. Oh, and we can't forget the pipe-devil's lettuce. Hobbits love themselves a good bucket of pipe-devil's lettuce, as we see with Merry, Pippin and the floating tubs of pipe-devil's lettuce that they come across in the flooded food cellars at Orthanc. When it comes to food, though, hobbits don't just eat anything. They have a specific set of foods that they adore. Which of the following ISN'T one of those?
What feature do female dwarves share with male dwarves?
Throughout the series, we see dwarves, but we never see a female dwarf. The focus of the story is on the southern half of Middle Earth, and the only real dwarf stronghold they go through is populated with nothing but corpses, thanks to all those goblins and Orcs. So, although we hear about them occasionally, we never get to lay eyes upon a real life dwarf woman. But we get plenty of vivid descriptions from Gimli. Which feature do female dwarves share with male dwarves?
What is the name of the pub in Hobbiton?
Ale is basically a staple of the hobbit diet. That becomes pretty obvious when Merry and Pippin go to Bree and marvel like children at a candy store at the sight of "pints" of beer. To a petite little hobbit, a pint is enough beer for an entire evening out. Talk about being cheap dates. But when they're back in Hobbiton, the hobbits frequent a specific bar. In fact, it's in this bar that Sam's future wife works. What's its name?
What is the name of the river that Frodo and his friends cross while fleeing the Ringwraiths?
The beginning of the series has a lot of scary scenes. There's when the hobbits hide under a tree root and almost get sniffed out by a Ringwraith that's crawling along the ground like some sort of demented basset hound. Then, there's when the Witch King stabs Frodo at Weathertop, turning him into a frothing, wheezing mess that they have to rush to Rivendell. But in their escape from the Shire, there's one specific river that the hobbits just barely make it to as the Ringwraiths chase them. What's it called?
What age was dawning at the end of the series when the Elves left Middle Earth?
Here on Earth, we often hear time periods denoted as "Ages." Currently, we're in the Age of Information, with gazillions of gigabytes of data accessible with only a few strokes of our fingers across a keyboard. In Middle Earth, although they might have catchy titles for their ages that we just don't hear about, they typically refer to the different ages of time with numbers. Throughout the series, we're firmly planted in one of these ages, with the destruction of the One Ring beginning the next. Which one begins at the end of the series?
What causes the sword Sting to glow?
One of Sting's most iconic features is how it glows. We saw this in The Hobbit, when Bilbo first brought the sword into the realm of popular literature, using it in the bowels of the mountains and in the Battle of the Five Armies. Then Bilbo gifts the sword to Frodo, who takes it on his adventure as well. Although almost any Tolkien nerd knows the sword glows, not everyone knows exactly why. So, what exactly is it that makes Sting glow?
Where do Frodo and Sam initially try to enter Mordor?
When Gollum catches up with Frodo and Sam, he becomes their guide. They find themselves walking in circles around cliffs and rocky terrain, but Gollum leads them out of this. Then, they find themselves in the Marshes, but Gollum also leads them out of this maze, guiding them along the parts of the land that will lead them to the other side safely without having to trudge through the corpse-filled waters. Then, they try to enter Mordor. Where do they do this for the first time?
Who was the first man to own the One Ring?
As we see in the introduction to the series, this isn't the first war to be fought over the One Ring. In the past, another war was fought against Sauron, with Elves and Men allying themselves and battling against Sauron's armies. Eventually, the war ends with a man cutting off Sauron's hand and taking the Ring off of his finger. Although Elrond suggests that he destroy it in Barad Dur, he refuses and puts it on a chain around his neck. Who is this man?
Which race of beings did Sam always dream of meeting?
Hobbits don't really get out too much. Or, if they do, it's into the farmlands of the Shire or on the paths beside the rivers in Hobbiton. Adventures aren't really their thing (well, unless we're talking about a Took, that is). They're basically the definition of homebodies, forgoing the unknown for the predictable. But the four hobbits in The Lord of the Rings are a bit different. When Sam gets the opportunity to see a bit of the world outside of the Shire, he's pretty excited. Which race of beings is he particularly excited to meet?
What is the name of the female hobbit that Sam ends up marrying?
When we first get introduced to the Shire, it looks like a pretty idyllic place to live. Gorgeous hills dot the countryside, with flowers and greenery everywhere. Plus, the pub culture there is on point. When the hobbits go out for drinks, there's never a shortage of good ale, great company and general merrymaking. And at one of the pubs that our four favourite hobbits frequent works a female hobbit who Sam goes on to marry. What is the name of this hobbit?
Why is Smeagol banished from his hometown?
Although Gollum looks more like something dragged out of the bottom of the ocean now, at one point, he wasn't so different from a hobbit. He lived a simple life, fishing and enjoying the company of friends. But then, one one fishing trip, his friend came across the One Ring at the bottom of a lake while being dragged by a particularly large fish. This instigated a chain of events that culminated in Smeagol being banished from his home. Why was he banished?
Which of the following characters does NOT go to the Grey Havens at the end of the series?
The events of The Lord of the Rings takes place during the Third Age of Middle Earth. After the One Ring is destroyed, the Fourth Age commences, and the Elves decide to sail into the Undying Lands and leave Middle Earth to the race of Men. But the Elves aren't the only ones who sail off to the Grey Havens. Others go with them, which leads to a particularly heartbreaking scene at the end of the series. So, who of the following does NOT go with the Elves into the west?
What colour is Gandalf's horse?
Gandalf's horse is very special. It's incredibly strong and fast, and it can be called from great distances to Gandalf's side. Of course, it makes sense that someone such as Gandalf would have a special horse. The guy is a freaking wizard, after all. Wizards can't go trotting around on just any old horses. They need an animal that matches their own abilities. Although Gandalf's horse can't cast spells, he's as fast as the wind and can get Gandalf where he needs to go faster than any other animal (except, perhaps, the Eagles). So, what colour is this horse?
What name does Frodo adopt while in the town of Bree?
While he's in Bree, Frodo and his friends try to stay under the radar to avoid catching the eye of the enemy. This plan is of course fouled when Merry and Pippin decide to get as wasted as skunks, but before that, the hobbits were doing a pretty good job of keeping their hoods down and remaining unremarkable. To be extra cautious, Frodo even decided to go by a different name while staying in the town of Bree. Which name was this?
Where did the Entwives go?
When Merry and Pippin are in Fangorn, we see a lot of Ents. Large, tree-like beings, these creatures are basically the shepherds of the forest, keeping watch over the trees and even making friends with some of them. However, although we see many Ents, we don't see any female Ents, or Entwives, as they are called. This mystery is solved before long, though, as Treebeard explains to the hobbits where the Entwives went. So, where exactly did the Entwives get off to?
Why did Merry and Pippin grow taller than most hobbits?
Hobbits are about half the height of an average human, which is why they are called halflings by a lot of the characters in The Lord of the Rings. One of the most moving aspects of the story is that, although they are small and may seem like they should be weaker than a man or Elf, it is hobbits that end up saving the whole of Middle Earth. Great things can come from those one wouldn't expect. But Merry and Pippin aren't of the same stature as most hobbits. What caused them to grow taller?
In which object is Gandalf's power concentrated?
Although many of the races of Middle Earth are as unremarkable as us humans here on regular-old Earth, some of them are capable of magical acts. The Elves are a particularly mystical crowd, able to live forever and having insight into future events. But the wizards of Middle Earth are the ones with true magical abilities. It's not like in Harry Potter, though, where witches and wizards need wands to cast spells. So, in which object is Gandalf's power concentrated?
Why does Frodo decide to go to the Grey Havens with Gandalf and Bilbo?
One of the most heartbreaking scenes in the story is when Frodo tells his friends that he'll be going to the Grey Havens. After going through so much with him, his friends realize that they may never see Frodo again. And one of the worst parts of this scene is that Frodo didn't even tell them he was leaving until they were at the docks. So, in a very tear-filled farewell, the hobbits are forced to say goodbye to one of their best friends in the whole of Middle Earth. Why did Frodo decide to leave his friends behind and go into the west?
What would have happened if the stab wound the Witch King gave Frodo at Weathertop had gone untreated?
Unfortunately for Frodo, getting hit seems to be something of a habit for him. The first time he has a run in with a blade is at Weathertop while the hobbits and Aragorn are fleeing the Ringwraiths. Craving something tasty, the hobbits set up a campfire in the middle of the night and, as a result, draw the Ringwraiths to them. In the ensuring altercation, the Witch King hits Frodo. Luckily, Frodo is treated and healed in Rivendell. But what would have happened if he hadn't been?
Which of the following is NOT a trait of hobbits?
Hobbits are complex little creatures. As a race, they tend towards the simple life, enjoying the small pleasures in life like good food and a well-brewed cup of coffee. They tend to eschew adventure, preferring routine and regularity. But in addition to all of this, they're also incredibly brave, with an incomparable strength of will. There's a reason it was Frodo who was chosen as the Ringbearer. Unlike other members of the Fellowship, he was able to resist the temptation of the Ring's power. Which of the following is NOT a trait of hobbits?
What event turns Gandalf the Grey into Gandalf the White?
Gandalf the Grey was a pretty powerful wizard. But he was no match for Sarumon the White. As the leader of the wizard community, Sarumon was the strongest of all the five wizards in Middle Earth, and he was able to beat Gandalf in battle, imprisoning him atop the tower of Orthanc. But over the course of the Fellowship's journey, Gandalf the Grey transforms into Gandalf the White. In this form, Gandalf is more than able to take on Sarumon. What instigated this transformation?
Who creates the first Uruk-hai of Middle Earth?
One would think that there's nothing creepier than an Orc. But Tolkien took this challenge upon himself, creating the race of the Uruk-hai. These beings are a bit like Orcs, but they're even stronger and more vicious. They're basically Orcs on steroids, and they join forces with those trying to wrest the Ring from Frodo over the course of the series. But they didn't come out of nowhere- they had a creator. So, who was it who brought this race of scary beings into existence in Middle Earth?
What is the name of Galadriel's partner?
Given how mystical and beautiful of a place it is, it would have been nice if we'd gotten to see more of Lothlorien during the story. During the time the Fellowship was there, we met a few Elves and heard them sing a funeral song for Gandalf. The two most prominent Elves we met were Galadriel and her partner. Although these two don't participate as much as Gandalf and the Fellowship in the war of the Ring, they still have a prominent role in the plot. Galadriel's gifts often save the members of the Fellowship from certain doom. So, what is her partner's name?
What race of beings does Gandalf have a friendship with?
Gandalf would be a good person to call a friend. When in a tight spot, sure, it'd be nice to have a strong Elf come to help. Or maybe even one of the Dunedain. But if one is ever in need, the type of person one would MOST want there would be a wizard. Wizards are capable of pretty much anything, and they in turn have some pretty useful connections to other beings in Middle Earth. Which race of beings is friends with Gandalf?
How does Gandalf escape from his captivity at Orthanc?
Although Sarumon is initially stronger than Gandalf, this doesn't keep Gandalf from escaping his captivity on top of Orthanc. After a magical battle, Sarumon traps Gandalf on the spiked roof of his tower. But someone as resourceful as Gandalf can't be trapped for long. Without his staff, though, escape isn't exactly the easiest feat. However, knowing Frodo and Sam are out there, waiting for him to arrive, Gandalf knows he is needed elsewhere, and he devises a way out. How does he escape?
What is the official title of Denethor?
Although Gondor does have a King, they don't know it until the end of the series. For years upon years, the Kings haven't been in Gondor. Although their line continued, they did not grab hold of the power their ancestors held. Instead of Aragorn's ancestors sitting on the throne, it was Denethor that was there. Creepy, annoying and often downright stupid, this man nearly leads Gondor into ruin, and in the process, he almost burns his son alive. What is the official title of Denethor?
Where did the majority of Bilbo's original wealth come from?
When thinking about realms like Middle Earth, it's usually things like dragons and Elves that come to mind- not economics. But Tolkien created a world with as much complexity as our own, and mundane things like economics are certainly a part of that. For instance, if one looks at Hobbiton, there seems to be distinct classes of families. Some live in shabbier hobbit holes, and some, like Bilbo, live in opulence. So, where did the Baggins family get its wealth?
Where was Gandalf originally supposed to meet Frodo and Sam at the beginning of their journey?
When Gandalf first saw Bilbo's ring, he suspected it might be the One Ring, but he decided he needed to do some research in order to be sure. After reading about the history and the qualities of the One Ring, he returns to Hobbiton to test out Bilbo's ring for himself. When script appears on its surface after it's placed in the fire, he realizes he must get it to a safe place as quickly as possible. He sends Frodo and Sam to take it elsewhere, and promises to meet them along the road. Where does he say he'll meet them?