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A Step Down From Tolkien Trivia Quiz

Starting with TOLKIEN, remove one letter at a time until you're left with only one; then build back up. The letters may need scrambling, but I have made note of when to start building again, so good luck!

A multiple-choice quiz by NovaLuna. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
NovaLuna

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
365,790

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
9 / 10

Plays
569

Question 1 of 10

1. Remove one letter from TOLKIEN to get a light, usually metallic sound.

Answer: (One Word, think bells)

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Question 2 of 10

2. Drop a letter to get a word meaning to compare, or describe as similar.

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 3 of 10

3. Drop a letter to get a furnace used for burning or drying.

Answer: (One Word, think pottery)

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Question 4 of 10

4. Drop a letter to get a word meaning someone or something of the same type, sort or class.

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 5 of 10

5. Drop a letter to form a variant spelling of a life energy in Chinese philosophy.

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 6 of 10

6. Drop a letter to get the symbol for the element iodine.

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 7 of 10

7. Now begin adding letters - start by adding one to get the syllable naming a particular musical note.

Answer: (One Word, "Doe, a deer...")

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Question 8 of 10

8. Add a letter to get a word meaning an egg of several parasitic insects.

Answer: (One Word, don't pick them!)

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Question 9 of 10

9. Add a letter to get a word for a prong, as on a fork or pitchfork.

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 10 of 10

10. Finally, add a letter to get a word meaning a narrow opening of a coastline.

Answer: (One Word)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Remove one letter from TOLKIEN to get a light, usually metallic sound.

Answer: Tinkle

According to two different dictionaries I consulted, the origin of the word is somewhat debated - it is either from a Middle English word 'tynclen' (spelled in one dictionary as 'tinklen') or simply from the sound described.

2. Drop a letter to get a word meaning to compare, or describe as similar.

Answer: Liken

According to The American Heritage Dictionary, the English word 'liken' has come through history fairly directly from the Middle English word 'likenen', which meant similar.

3. Drop a letter to get a furnace used for burning or drying.

Answer: Kiln

Webster's College Dictionary tells me that 'kiln' has undergone quite a transformation through its history; it started with the Latin word 'cul�na', meaning 'kitchen' - the same root as the English word 'culinary'!

4. Drop a letter to get a word meaning someone or something of the same type, sort or class.

Answer: Ilk

Having consulted several different dictionaries, I have come to the conclusion that nobody is terribly sure where the word 'ilk' started. Some sources indicate that it was a Scottish word used to denote a clan, family name or place, while at least one other puts the first usage of the word back before the Romans.

5. Drop a letter to form a variant spelling of a life energy in Chinese philosophy.

Answer: Ki

Some other variations in spelling include 'chi' and 'qui'. As for the word's roots, they're pretty straight forward - the Mandarin word 'qi' means the life energy.

6. Drop a letter to get the symbol for the element iodine.

Answer: I

In the English alphabet, 'i' is the ninth letter; it can also be used to denote the number one in Roman numerals, and is, of course, some people's favorite pronoun!

7. Now begin adding letters - start by adding one to get the syllable naming a particular musical note.

Answer: Ti

The note in question is 'ti'...in the movie "The Sound of Music" all the notes are given a syllable to make them easier to remember, of which 'doe' is the first. As to the origins of 'ti', it appears that it was simply made up as a way to differentiate musical notes.

8. Add a letter to get a word meaning an egg of several parasitic insects.

Answer: Nit

In the US at least, 'nit' is usually applied to the eggs of lice, especially hair lice. However, it is also the correct word to use for several other parasite's eggs. 'Nit' appears to have its roots in the Old High German word 'hniz', which also meant the eggs of these little nuisances.

9. Add a letter to get a word for a prong, as on a fork or pitchfork.

Answer: Tine

The word 'tine' can also refer to any of the poking-out parts on deer antlers. It makes sense then, that the word comes to us from the Middle English word 'tind', meaning a sharp, projecting point of any sort.

10. Finally, add a letter to get a word meaning a narrow opening of a coastline.

Answer: Inlet

'Inlet' is one of those rare words, in my opinion, that makes no pretence as to its meaning - an 'inlet' is anywhere that something is let in through. In addition to coastal waters, it can be applied to several mechanical items - for example, an inlet valve.

Source: Author NovaLuna

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Tizzabelle before going online.
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