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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did Stanley Unwin surprise Tolkien?
(a) By showing no interest in publishing his books.
(b) By showing interest only in publishing one book.
(c) By not responding to his messages.
(d) By showing interest in accepting both of the books.

2. People began to call when?
(a) At all hours of the day and night.
(b) When he was in meetings.
(c) In the morning.
(d) At night.

3. As the story of THE HOBBIT moved along, some of what crept in?
(a) Tolkien's family.
(b) Tolkien's mythology.
(c) Tolkien's poetry.
(d) Tolkien's other stories.

4. Eventually, Tolkien told his publisher that he was "forgetting about children." Why?
(a) He was tired of writing for children.
(b) Children no longer liked his work.
(c) The new story was becoming frightening and was perhaps unsuitable for young minds.
(d) He was annoyed by his own children.

5. Tolkien began to find that people were confusing what?
(a) The man with the work.
(b) This fantasy world with their own.
(c) The man with other authors.
(d) The work with other works.

6. What did Tolkien think of the awards and accolades he received?
(a) Ashamed.
(b) Embarrassed.
(c) Pleased.
(d) Surprised.

7. After Edith died, to where did Tolkien move?
(a) Merlon Street.
(b) Milton Street.
(c) Monroe Street.
(d) Merton Street.

8. Why was there a considerable problem with an American company?
(a) It refused to reprint the saga.
(b) It refused to pay royaltiesto Tolkien.
(c) It reprinted the saga incorrectly.
(d) It reprinted the saga without permission.

9. The reviews from other critics were mixed. Were they better than Tolkien had expected?
(a) No.
(b) Not at first.
(c) Somewhat.
(d) Yes.

10. Who was Tolkien not sure he wanted to publish his book?
(a) Allen and Unwin.
(b) His son, Christopher.
(c) Haughton and Miflin.
(d) Any publisher.

11. Tolkien was unhappy about splitting the work into three volumes and insisted on what?
(a) Maintaining the title THE LORD OF THE RINGS for the entire series.
(b) Binding and selling the three volumes together.
(c) Naming each book something different.
(d) Keeping the book as one.

12. When C.S. Lewis died in 1963, how did Tolkien feel?
(a) Devastated.
(b) Worried.
(c) Somewhat upset.
(d) Angry.

13. In 1971, Edith was taken to the hospital with what?
(a) An infected gall bladder.
(b) Headaches.
(c) Cancer.
(d) A herniated disc.

14. Who looked after Tolkien after his return to Oxford?
(a) A scout and his wife.
(b) His children.
(c) His in-laws.
(d) A friend.

15. Tolkien wrote to Stanley Unwin to tell him what?
(a) He should come pick up a copy of the finished book.
(b) He did not want him to publish THE LORD OF THE RINGS.
(c) He should have it published quickly.
(d) THE LORD OF THE RINGS was finished.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Tolkien feel about his fame?

2. In 1972, Tolkien was awarded what?

3. The war hit in what year?

4. It was frustrating for the publishers to see Tolkien focused on every minute detail rather than what?

5. There were many requests for Tolkien to be a professor __________.

(see the answer keys)

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