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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. Tolkien insisted on drawing maps for what purpose?

2. Why was Tolkien angry with his publishers?

3. The woman took the typescript, read it and then did what with it?

4. How did Stanley Unwin surprise Tolkien?

5. In 1972, Tolkien was awarded what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Edith regaining of good spirits.

2. How was Edith feeling at this point? What helped her live out the end of her life in some peace and comfort?

3. What new deal did Unwin propose to Tolkien?

4. What happened when Oxford took notice of the book?

5. Why did Tolkien's relationship with Lewis deteriorate even further?

6. Describe the first book review for THE LORD OF THE RINGS.

7. Is this deal a good idea for Tolkien? Why or why not?

8. How did Tolkien's personality and feelings begin to change at this time? What might have caused this?

9. Of what did Lewis warn Tolkien?

10. Describe one of the great mysteries about The Hobbit.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tolkien was a perfectionist in many ways.

Part 1) Describe Tolkien's creative process. How does this reinforce his perfectionist tendencies? Is he a perfectionist outside of his work? Why or why not?

Part 2) How did he perfectionist behavior affect others, such as his family, friends, and publishers?

Part 3) How did his desire for perfection add challenges to the process of creating and publishing his work? How did it also benefit him in the long run? Should he have been such a perfectionist? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The story of THE HOBBIT is based on Tolkien's life.

Part 1) Describe THE HOBBIT. How is it based on Tolkien?

Part 2) Why does Tolkien use himself and his life when creating his work? How is Tolkien's life, personality, and character found in his other work?

Part 3) What aspects of your own life and character would you incorporate into a story? Why?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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