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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Regardless of how The Hobbit is viewed, it was intended to be what?
(a) A scary story.
(b) A funny story.
(c) An epic.
(d) A children's story.

3. After reading through Tolkien's completed manuscripts, what did Unwin do?
(a) He chose a few of them to publish.
(b) He chose most of them to be published.
(c) He rejected all of them in favor of another book written as a sequel to The Hobbit.
(d) He threw them away.

4. The review praised the work which was what?
(a) A blessing.
(b) A disaster.
(c) A mixed blessing.
(d) A nuisance.

5. The battle with the publishing company made Tolkien and his work what?
(a) Unsellable.
(b) Disliked.
(c) Overnight sensations.
(d) Uninteresting.

6. What type of comments did Tolkien make to Stanley Unwin?
(a) Those that he felt would deter Unwin from publishing the book.
(b) Those that he felt would encourage Unwin to publish both books.
(c) Those that he felt would anger Unwin.
(d) Those that he felt would embarrass Unwin.

7. Rayner Unwin wanted Tolkien to send THE LORD OF THE RINGS posthaste. Why was Tolkien reluctant?
(a) He did not have a written copy of the book.
(b) He could not find an extra copy of the book.
(c) He did not trust Rayne.
(d) There was only one copy in existence.

8. How old was Tolkien by the time THE LORD OF THE RINGS was completed?
(a) Almost 60 years old.
(b) Almost 50 years old.
(c) Almost 70 years old.
(d) Almost 40 years old.

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

10. What happened when Oxford finally took notice of the book?
(a) Tolkien was fired.
(b) Tolkien was given a pay raise.
(c) Tolkien was required to complete several overdue projects.
(d) Tolkien was forced to write another book for the series.

11. What did this infection do to Tolkien?
(a) It paralyzed him.
(b) It left him brain damaged.
(c) It severely injured him.
(d) It killed him.

12. Edith was expected to have what, regarding her illness?
(a) No recovery.
(b) A partial recovery.
(c) A full recovery.
(d) A temporary recovery.

13. 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.

14. What did the Tolkiens hope would give them some relief from the almost constant and intolerable flow of visitors, mail, and gifts that were always present in Headington?
(a) The sea air.
(b) Their new, unpublicized, address.
(c) The lack of neighbors.
(d) The quiet town life.

15. What grave mistake did Stanley Unwin make?
(a) He sent a copy of his son's letter to Tolkien
(b) He ignored Tolkien.
(c) He did not tell Tolkien of his son's idea.
(d) He teased Tolkien.

Short Answer Questions

1. The money was coming in and Tolkien found that he would not have to do what?

2. To whom did Tolkien send the manuscript?

3. After Edith died, to where did Tolkien move?

4. The war made things difficult for everyone in Europe and the Tolkiens often took in lodgers and also raised hens for what reason?

5. How did this critic respond to Tolkien's work?

(see the answer keys)

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