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J. K. Rowling's full birth name is Joanne Rowling, and she adopted 'K' as her middle initial from her paternal grandmother, Kathleen, at her publisher's suggestion.
Answer: True
J. K. Rowling's birth name is Joanne Rowling. She adopted the initial 'K' from her paternal grandmother, Kathleen, when her publisher suggested using initials to appeal to a male audience.
J. K. Rowling's period of relative poverty ended when she was named the world's highest-paid author by Forbes magazine in 2000.
Answer: False
The source indicates that J. K. Rowling's period of relative poverty ended with the publication of her first novel in 1997. She was named the world's highest-paid author by Forbes in 2008, not 2000.
J. K. Rowling's first attempt at writing, a story called 'Rabbit,' was inspired by the creatures in Beatrix Potter's books.
Answer: False
The source states that Rowling's first story, 'Rabbit,' was inspired by the creatures in Richard Scarry's books, not those of Beatrix Potter.
During her childhood, J. K. Rowling described herself as a highly social and outgoing child who preferred outdoor activities to reading.
Answer: False
J. K. Rowling described herself as 'the epitome of a bookish child' who lived in a world of daydreams, and was known to be intelligent yet shy.
J. K. Rowling's mother's diagnosis with multiple sclerosis and a strained relationship with her father contributed to her unhappy teenage years.
Answer: True
The source indicates that Rowling's home life was complicated by her mother's illness and a difficult relationship with her father, leading her to describe her teenage years as unhappy.
After her first marriage ended, J. K. Rowling considered herself a failure seven years after graduating university and received government assistance.
Answer: True
The source confirms that after her divorce, Rowling received government assistance and described herself as a failure, being 'as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless.'
J. K. Rowling identifies as an atheist and has stated she does not believe in God or magic.
Answer: False
J. K. Rowling identifies as a Christian and has stated she believes in God, although she does not believe in magic or witchcraft.
J. K. Rowling's first marriage to Jorge Arantes was described by her as 'short and catastrophic' and involved domestic abuse.
Answer: True
The source confirms that Rowling described her first marriage as 'short and catastrophic' and that it involved domestic abuse, with her ex-husband admitting to slapping her.
What is J. K. Rowling's full birth name?
Answer: Joanne Rowling
J. K. Rowling's full birth name is Joanne Rowling. The 'K' in her pen name was added later and does not represent a legal middle name.
In what year was Joanne Rowling born?
Answer: 1965
Joanne Rowling was born on July 31, 1965, in Yate, Gloucestershire, England.
Which of the following is NOT one of J. K. Rowling's primary occupations?
Answer: Journalist
The source identifies J. K. Rowling as an author, philanthropist, and screenwriter, but not as a journalist.
Which of these significant life events occurred for J. K. Rowling during the seven-year period following the conception of the Harry Potter series in 1990?
Answer: She experienced the death of her mother and a divorce from her first husband.
In the seven years after conceiving the Harry Potter idea, Rowling experienced her mother's death, the birth of her first child, a divorce, and a period of poverty.
What honor was J. K. Rowling appointed a member of for her services to literature and philanthropy?
Answer: Order of the Companions of Honour
J. K. Rowling has received many accolades, including being appointed a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for her services to literature and philanthropy.
What was the professional background of J. K. Rowling's mother, Anne?
Answer: Science technician
J. K. Rowling's mother, Anne, was with the Women's Royal Naval Service (Wrens) and later worked as a science technician.
Where did J. K. Rowling's parents meet?
Answer: On a train from King's Cross station to Arbroath
Rowling's parents met on a train trip from King's Cross station in London to their naval postings in Arbroath, Scotland.
Who was Jessica Mitford, and what was her significance to J. K. Rowling?
Answer: A civil rights activist whose autobiography inspired Rowling.
Jessica Mitford, a civil rights activist, became Rowling's heroine after she read Mitford's autobiography, *Hons and Rebels*, as a teenager.
What was J. K. Rowling's weekly government assistance amount after her first marriage ended and she moved to Edinburgh?
Answer: £69 (US$103)
After her first marriage ended, Rowling received £69 (US$103) per week from Social Security.
How was J. K. Rowling's academic performance described at the University of Exeter?
Answer: Average, prioritizing social life over studies
Biographers describe Rowling as an average student at university who prioritized her social life over her studies and lacked ambition.
By 2023, the Harry Potter series had sold over 600 million copies globally and was translated into 84 languages, establishing a significant global media franchise.
Answer: True
The source confirms that by 2023, the Harry Potter series had sold over 600 million copies, been translated into 84 languages, and spawned a global media franchise.
Bloomsbury Publishing suggested J. K. Rowling use initials for her pen name because they believed young boys would be more inclined to read a book written by a male author.
Answer: True
According to the source, Bloomsbury Publishing staff anticipated that their target audience of young boys would not want to read a book written by a woman, leading to the suggestion of using initials.
The Dementors in the Harry Potter series were inspired by J. K. Rowling's experience with a period of deep depression and suicidal thoughts in early 1994.
Answer: True
The source explicitly states that the Dementors, soul-sucking creatures from the series, were inspired by the deep depression Rowling experienced in early 1994.
J. K. Rowling conceived the idea for the Harry Potter series while on a flight from Manchester to London in 1990.
Answer: False
J. K. Rowling conceived the idea for the Harry Potter series while on a four-hour delayed train from Manchester to London, not on a flight.
The manuscript for *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* was initially rejected by only a few publishers before Bloomsbury Publishing decided to buy it.
Answer: False
The manuscript was rejected by twelve publishers before Bloomsbury Publishing acquired it.
The initial print run for *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* in the UK consisted of 500 hardbacks and 5,150 paperbacks, totaling 5,650 copies.
Answer: True
The source confirms the initial UK print run for the first Harry Potter book was 5,650 copies, comprising 500 hardbacks and 5,150 paperbacks.
The Harry Potter series is credited with reversing a trend of grim, realist themes in children's literature and elevating the cultural status of the genre.
Answer: True
The series is noted for reversing a trend of realism in children's literature, leading to a resurgence in crossover fiction and raising the cultural status of the children's market.
J. K. Rowling was working as a librarian when she conceived the idea for the Harry Potter series in 1990.
Answer: False
In 1990, when she conceived the idea for Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling was working as a researcher and bilingual secretary for Amnesty International.
*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* won the Whitbread Book of the Year award in the adult category.
Answer: False
While the book was nominated for the adult Whitbread Book of the Year award, the award body ultimately gave Rowling the children's prize instead.
By 2023, how many languages had the Harry Potter series been translated into?
Answer: 84
The source states that by 2023, the Harry Potter series had been translated into 84 languages.
What was the initial print run of hardback copies for *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* in the UK?
Answer: 500 copies
The initial UK print run for the first Harry Potter book included only 500 hardback copies.
Why was the title of the first Harry Potter book changed for the US market?
Answer: The US publisher pushed for a name change, leading to a compromise title.
Arthur A. Levine, head of the Scholastic imprint, pushed for a name change. As a compromise, Rowling suggested *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone* for the US market.
What was J. K. Rowling's initial job when she conceived the idea for the Harry Potter series in 1990?
Answer: Researcher and bilingual secretary for Amnesty International
When she conceived the idea for Harry Potter in 1990, Rowling was working as a researcher and bilingual secretary for Amnesty International.
What was the initial critical reception of *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone* in the United States?
Answer: Not widely reviewed, but generally positive and became a bestseller.
Upon its US release, the book was not widely reviewed, but the reviews it received were generally positive, and it quickly became a *New York Times* bestseller.
What is the full title of the first book in the *Harry Potter* series?
Answer: *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*
The original and full title of the first book in the series is *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*.
When was *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, the final book in the series, published?
Answer: July 2007
*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, the seventh and final book in the series, was published in July 2007.
What was the *Harry Potter*-related short story published in 2008?
Answer: A *Harry Potter* prequel for the *What's Your Story Postcard Collection*
In 2008, Rowling contributed an 800-word *Harry Potter* prequel to the *What's Your Story Postcard Collection* to benefit charity.
J. K. Rowling's first book for adults, *The Casual Vacancy*, received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with critics praising its magical elements.
Answer: False
*The Casual Vacancy* received mixed reviews, and some critics suggested it would have been better if it had included magical elements, which it did not.
Before J. K. Rowling's authorship was revealed, *The Cuckoo's Calling* sold only 1,500 copies in hardback.
Answer: True
The source confirms that prior to the revelation of J. K. Rowling as the author, *The Cuckoo's Calling* had sold only 1,500 hardback copies.
The *Cormoran Strike* series, written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, was generally well-received by critics as British detective fiction, despite some noting contrived plots.
Answer: True
The source indicates that the *Cormoran Strike* series was more warmly received by critics than her other adult fiction, although some reviewers found the plots to be contrived.
Under what alias does J. K. Rowling write the Cormoran Strike crime fiction series?
Answer: Robert Galbraith
J. K. Rowling writes the Cormoran Strike crime fiction series under the alias Robert Galbraith.
What was the initial commercial performance of *The Cuckoo's Calling* before J. K. Rowling's authorship was revealed?
Answer: It sold only 1,500 copies in hardback.
Before it was revealed that Rowling was the author, *The Cuckoo's Calling* had sold only 1,500 hardback copies.
What is the title of the first book in the *Cormoran Strike* series?
Answer: *The Cuckoo's Calling*
The first book in the *Cormoran Strike* series, written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, is titled *The Cuckoo's Calling*.
When was J. K. Rowling's children's book *The Ickabog* published in print in the US and Canada?
Answer: November 2020
*The Ickabog* was published in print in the US and Canada on November 10, 2020.
What is the title of J. K. Rowling's non-fiction book published in 2015?
Answer: *Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and Importance of Imagination*
Rowling's 2015 non-fiction book is titled *Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and Importance of Imagination*.
J. K. Rowling insisted that Warner Bros. could only produce Harry Potter films based on books she authored and retained final script approval for the adaptations.
Answer: True
When selling the film rights to Warner Bros., Rowling's provisions included that films would only be based on her books and that she would retain the right to final script approval.
As of November 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery was actively planning to continue the *Fantastic Beasts* film series.
Answer: False
A November 2022 report from *Variety* indicated that Warner Bros. Discovery was not actively planning to continue the *Fantastic Beasts* film series.
Pottermore was launched in 2011 as an e-book publisher and interactive content portal where J. K. Rowling would publish articles about the Harry Potter universe.
Answer: True
The source describes Pottermore, launched in 2011, as an e-book publisher and interactive portal for new content about the Harry Potter universe written by Rowling.
The *Harry Potter* television series, announced in 2023, is planned to have each of the seven books receive a dedicated season, with J. K. Rowling as an executive producer.
Answer: True
The source confirms that a *Harry Potter* television series was announced in 2023, with plans for each book to be adapted into a season and Rowling serving as an executive producer.
J. K. Rowling was a screenwriter and producer for the *Fantastic Beasts* film series.
Answer: True
The source confirms that J. K. Rowling served as both the screenwriter and a producer for the three films in the *Fantastic Beasts* series.
What is J. K. Rowling's role in the *Harry Potter* television series announced in 2023?
Answer: Executive producer
J. K. Rowling is serving as an executive producer for the *Harry Potter* television series announced in 2023.
What was J. K. Rowling's role in the final two *Harry Potter* films, *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1* and *Part 2*?
Answer: Producer
J. K. Rowling served as a producer for the final two films in the *Harry Potter* series.
Which of the following television adaptations has J. K. Rowling served as an executive producer for?
Answer: The *Strike* television series
J. K. Rowling has served as an executive producer for the *Strike* television series, which is based on her *Cormoran Strike* novels.
In which *The Simpsons* episode did J. K. Rowling make a voice cameo in 2003?
Answer: 'The Regina Monologues'
J. K. Rowling made a voice cameo as herself in the 2003 *The Simpsons* episode titled 'The Regina Monologues'.
J. K. Rowling's philanthropic efforts, through organizations like the Volant Charitable Trust and Lumos, primarily focus on environmental conservation and animal welfare.
Answer: False
The source material indicates that J. K. Rowling's philanthropic efforts primarily focus on medical causes and supporting at-risk women and children, not environmental conservation or animal welfare.
J. K. Rowling opposed Scottish independence and donated £1 million to the 'Better Together' campaign.
Answer: True
The source confirms that Rowling opposed Scottish independence and made a £1 million donation to the 'Better Together' campaign, which was the largest donation it received.
J. K. Rowling opposed a cultural boycott of Israel in 2015, believing that cultural engagement was more effective than deprivation.
Answer: True
In 2015, Rowling refused to support a cultural boycott of Israel, arguing in a letter to *The Guardian* that cultural engagement was a better path forward.
Lumos, co-founded by J. K. Rowling, works with orphanages globally and had supported at least 280,000 children by 2025.
Answer: True
The source states that Lumos, co-founded by Rowling in 2005, works with orphanages in various countries and had supported at least 280,000 children by 2025.
Forbes estimated J. K. Rowling's charitable donations between 2005 and 2025 to be less than US$100 million.
Answer: False
Forbes estimated that J. K. Rowling's charitable donations between 2005 and 2025 exceeded US$200 million.
J. K. Rowling criticized David Cameron's plan for married couples in her 'Single mother's manifesto,' arguing it discriminated against single parents.
Answer: True
In her 2010 'Single mother's manifesto,' Rowling criticized a Conservative Party plan to offer tax credits to married couples, arguing it discriminated against single parents.
What was the purpose of the Volant Charitable Trust established by J. K. Rowling in 2000?
Answer: To support at-risk women, children, and youth and address social deprivation.
The Volant Charitable Trust was established to address social deprivation and support at-risk women, children, and youth.
How much did J. K. Rowling donate to found a multiple sclerosis research center at the University of Edinburgh in 2010?
Answer: £10 million
In 2010, J. K. Rowling donated £10 million to found a multiple sclerosis research center at the University of Edinburgh.
What record-setting sale occurred in 2007 involving *The Tales of Beedle the Bard* for charity?
Answer: It was sold for £1.95 million, setting a record for a contemporary literary work and children's literature.
A deluxe copy of *The Tales of Beedle the Bard* was sold at auction for £1.95 million to benefit charity, setting a sales record for a contemporary literary work.
What was the estimated total of J. K. Rowling's charitable donations between 2005 and 2025, according to Forbes?
Answer: Exceeded US$200 million
Forbes estimated that J. K. Rowling's charitable donations between 2005 and 2025 exceeded US$200 million.
What was J. K. Rowling's political donation to the Labour Party in 2008?
Answer: £1 million
In 2008, J. K. Rowling donated £1 million to the Labour Party, endorsing then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
What was the purpose of Beira's Place, founded by J. K. Rowling in 2022?
Answer: A women-only rape help center in Edinburgh.
In 2022, Rowling founded and funded Beira's Place, a women-only rape help center in Edinburgh that provides free support to survivors of sexual violence.
Some Christian critics claimed the Harry Potter novels promoted witchcraft and encouraged children to oppose authority by rejecting their guardians.
Answer: True
The source outlines two primary forms of Christian criticism: that the series was a pagan text promoting witchcraft, and that it encouraged children to oppose authority.
Nancy Stouffer successfully sued J. K. Rowling in 1999, proving that *Harry Potter* was based on her earlier stories.
Answer: False
J. K. Rowling won the lawsuit filed by Nancy Stouffer. The court found that Stouffer had used forged documents and penalized her $50,000.
J. K. Rowling supports legislation allowing transgender people to self-identify their gender without a medical diagnosis, prioritizing gender identity in equalities law.
Answer: False
J. K. Rowling is opposed to legislation that would allow transgender people to legally self-identify their gender without a medical diagnosis, citing safety concerns for single-sex spaces.
J. K. Rowling successfully sued the *Daily Mail* for libel in 2014 regarding an article about her time as a single mother.
Answer: True
The source states that Rowling successfully sued the British tabloid *Daily Mail* for libel in 2014 over an article concerning her time as a single mother.
J. K. Rowling and Warner Bros. successfully prevented the publication of a book based on *The Harry Potter Lexicon* entirely.
Answer: False
While the court ruled that the initial version of the *Lexicon* was not fair use, it did not prevent the book from being published in a different form, which it was in 2009.
Lana Whited asserted in 2024 that J. K. Rowling's views on gender identity have permanently changed her relationship with fans and her works.
Answer: True
The source cites Lana Whited's 2024 assertion that Rowling's views left some transgender people feeling betrayed and permanently altered her relationship with fans, readers, and her own works.
What was the outcome of the lawsuit filed by Nancy Stouffer against J. K. Rowling?
Answer: Rowling won the case, and Stouffer was penalized for forged documents.
Rowling won the case in 2002, and the court penalized Stouffer $50,000 after finding she had used forged and altered documents.
What was the significance of the phrase 'people who menstruate' in the context of J. K. Rowling's public views?
Answer: She mocked it, asserting that women's rights would be 'erased' if 'sex isn't real'.
Rowling mocked the phrase 'people who menstruate' in a tweet, which contributed to the controversy surrounding her views on gender identity.
What was J. K. Rowling's response to the strengthening of a hate crime law in Scotland in April 2024?
Answer: She tweeted a list of trans women, challenging police to arrest her.
Following the strengthening of a hate crime law in Scotland, Rowling tweeted a list of trans women, asserted they were men, and publicly challenged the police to arrest her.
J. K. Rowling has stated that the central theme of the Harry Potter series is the power of friendship, rather than death.
Answer: False
J. K. Rowling has explicitly stated that death is the overarching and central theme of the Harry Potter series.
In the Harry Potter series, J. K. Rowling portrays good and evil as absolute and inherent attributes, with characters clearly defined from their first appearance.
Answer: False
The source indicates that Rowling portrays good and evil as choices rather than inherent attributes, with themes of second chances and redemption being prominent.
Scholars generally agree that J. K. Rowling's portrayal of women in *Harry Potter* consistently challenges traditional gender stereotypes, showing them as always having full agency.
Answer: False
Scholars describe the portrayal of women as complex, often conforming to stereotypical and patriarchal depictions, with female characters sometimes typecast and denied agency, despite women also holding positions of power.
What is the central theme that J. K. Rowling identifies in the Harry Potter series?
Answer: The overarching theme of death
J. K. Rowling has stated that death is the overarching and central theme in the Harry Potter series.
Which of the following authors is NOT listed as an influence on J. K. Rowling's writing?
Answer: Stephen King
The source lists J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and Ursula K. Le Guin among Rowling's influences, but does not mention Stephen King.
What is one criticism scholars have raised regarding the portrayal of house-elves in the Harry Potter series?
Answer: They are shown as happy in their slavery, and Hermione's efforts to free them are implied to be naive.
Some scholars find the portrayal of house-elves troublesome, noting that they are often shown as happy in their slavery and that Hermione's abolitionist efforts are framed as naive.