Read the excerpt from The Hobbit. 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.

Question 1
Part A

What is the implied idea in the passage?

Keeping the Arkenstone would be dangerous for Bilbo.

Thorin believes someone has taken the Arkenstone.

Thorin knows that Bilbo has the Arkenstone and wants him to come forward.

Bilbo will do whatever it takes to keep the Arkenstone for himself.
Question 2
Part B

Which sentence best supports the answer in Part A?

"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."

"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."

"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."

“'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.'"