The Lord of the Rings (A2)

A Before you start

Answer the questions with a partner.
1. Do you like fantasy stories? Why (not)?
2. If so, which one is your favourite?
3. Have you read The Lord of the Rings or seen any of the films?
4. What do you know about the author J. R. R. Tolkien?
B Listen and answer
Read these statements. Then listen (without reading) and write T (true) or F (false).
1. The Lord of the Rings has sold more copies all over the world than The Bible.
2. The first volume of the novel came out in 1954.
3. It was the first novel Tolkien had written.
4. Tolkien expected The Lord of the Rings to be a success.
5. The Beatles asked Stanley Kubrick to direct the film version of the book.
6. The screen version was filmed in New Zealand.
7. Tolkien grew up in Birmingham.
8. He became a professor of English Language and Literature at Birmingham University.
C Read and answer
Read the article and answer the questions.
1. Why did Tolkiens publishers divide his novel into three volumes?
2. Whats the connection between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings?
3. Who did Tolkien write The Hobbit for?
4. Did he enjoy being a cult figure?
5. Which Beatle wanted to play the part of Frodo in the film version of The Lord of the Rings?
6. Why did Stanley Kubrick refuse to direct the film?
7. Why did the rock band Marillion have to change their name?
8. Where did Tolkien get the idea for the title The Two Towers?
D Learn it! Use it!
Complete these sentences with words from the glossary. (You may have to adapt the expression in
some way; e.g. change the verb tense.)
1. The ________ of this country is very varied. There are mountains, forests, lakes and deserts.
2. Dont go out in the cold without a coat! Youll ________ pneumonia.
3. James doesnt live in London any more. He ________ to a country village last year.
4. Will Tom Cruise ________ in another Mission Impossible movie?
5. Anne wanted to go on the school trip to Vienna but her ________ said it was too expensive.
6. _______ _______ the weather forecast, well have snow tomorrow.
7. Rudyard Kipling said his unhappy ________ was a good preparation for his future as a writer.
8. Martin crossed the road when he saw us. I think hes trying to ________ us.

E Ready for the KEY English Test? (Paper 1, Part 7)

Complete the email. Write one word for each space.
Hi Luke,
How 1________ you? I hope you and your family are 2________.
Im writing 3_________ ask you a favour. I 4________ to write a composition for my English
homework. Its a composition about The Hobbit, a novel written 5________ J. R. R. Tolkien. Have
you or any of your friends got a copy of 6________? If so, could I 7________ it? I cant find my
copy. Ill only need it for a 8________ days, so I can give it 9________ on Monday. If you manage
to find a copy, let me know and Ill 10________ to your house and collect it tomorrow afternoon.
Thanks a lot,
Sandy
F Check your pronunciation
Are these statements true or false?
1. Month has the same vowel sound as one.
2. Lord rhymes with word.
3. Would rhymes with good.
4. Tower rhymes with hour.
5. Said rhymes with paid.
6. Friend rhymes with end.
7. The first letters in honour and wrong are silent.
8. Two and too are not pronounced in the same way.
G Write about it
Write about a novel you have read and enjoyed. Mention:
- who wrote it;
- when it was written;
- what its about;
- whether a film version has been made;
- why you enjoyed it.

Answers
B Listen and answer
1. F The article says it isnt as popular as The Bible. 2. T 3. F He had already written The
Hobbit in 1937. 4. F He was surprised by its success. 5. T 6. T 7. T 8. F He taught at
Oxford University.
C Read and answer
1. Because they thought it was too long. 2. The Lord of the Rings is the sequel to The Hobbit.
3. He wrote it for his children. 4. No, he didnt. He said it wasnt at all pleasant. 5. Paul
McCartney. 6. Because he thought the book was unfilmable. 7. To avoid copyright problems,
because their original name, Silmarillion, was the title of a Tolkien novel. 8. From buildings in
Birmingham.
D Learn it! Use it!
1. landscape 2. catch 3. moved 4. star 5. parents 6. According to 7. childhood 8.
avoid
E Ready for the KEY English Test?
1. are 2. well/fine/OK 3. to 4. have/need/intend 5. by 6. it 7. borrow/have 8. few
9. back 10. come
F Check your pronunciation
1. T 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. F 6. T 7. T 8. F