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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the couple move into the Bank House?

2. In the spring of 1904 Mabel is diagnosed with what?

3. What has been converted into an office?

4. At the Oratory, who does Mabel Tolkien meet?

5. Some also believe that Mabel's death encouraged Tolkien to do what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Humphrey Carpenter say about the Tolkiens in Part One of this book?

2. How do both Mabel and Arthur feel about returning to England?

3. What did G.B. Smith's words, "May you say the things I have tried to say long after I am not there to say them," do for Ronald?

4. Who was the Tolkiens' second son when was he born?

5. What did Tolkien create with Eric Valentine Gordon?

6. How does Ronald spend his final year at King Edward's?

7. How do many people question Tolkien in regards to his mythology and devout Catholic faith? What is Tolkien's response?

8. What is odd about the Bloemfontein home?

9. When does Mabel arrive in South Africa? What takes place at the time of their wedding?

10. What does Ronald think of Exeter College?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

THE HOBBIT was a success.

Part 1) Why was it successful? What contributed to this success?

Part 2) To what did this success lead? How did this success affect Tolkien and his family? What challenges did Tolkien face when writing and publishing this book? How does this foreshadow his experiences with "The Lord of the Rings?"

Part 3) What success have you had in your own life? To what can you contribute this? How did this success alter you?

Essay Topic 2

Tolkien and Edith have four children.

Part 1) Who are their children? How does the birth of these children affect the Tolkiens and their relationship with each other? How influential are the Tolkiens in the children's lives?

Part 2) How important do these children become in Tolkien's life? Why? How important are these children to Tolkien's work? Why?

Part 3) How influential are your parents in your own life? How do you also influence and change them? How does this compare to the Tolkien family?

Essay Topic 3

Ronald's parents greatly influenced him.

Part 1) Describe Ronald's parents. How is he like his parents?

Part 2) Why are his parents, especially his mother, so influential?

Part 3) How do his parents affect his life and work? How do others influence Tolkien and his work?

(see the answer keys)

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