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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Tolkien as "The Old Man," which dictionary does Tolkien reveal he worked for earlier in his life?
(a) Merriam-Webster.
(b) Scholastic.
(c) American Heritage.
(d) Oxford.

2. What does Tolkien think children can become for their parents?
(a) One of the strongest sources of information.
(b) One of the strongest sources of support.
(c) A chance to correct their own mistakes.
(d) A chance to relive their lives.

3. What choice does Tolkien think each person has?
(a) To cultivate or leave undeveloped.
(b) To perfect a skill or to remain a novice.
(c) To become educated or remain uneducated.
(d) To search for answers or leave unanswered questions.

4. Based on Tolkien's letter to W.H. Auden, who is responsible for shaping an individual's behavior?
(a) The individual.
(b) Neither the individual nor people around them.
(c) The individual and people around them.
(d) People around the individual.

5. Why does Tolkien think his new position at the university will be better received in Letter #182?
(a) Because of the reputation of the person that preceded him.
(b) Because of the anticipation of the new book he is writing.
(c) Because of the amount of time he has worked at the university.
(d) Because of his fame as an author.

6. How long does it take Tolkien to get his story about The Lord of the Rings published, according to Letter #159?
(a) Three years.
(b) Two years.
(c) One year.
(d) Several years.

7. What is the first topic discussed in Tolkien's letter to Unwin about C.S. Lewis in "Now the Books Themselves"?
(a) C.S. Lewis' opinions.
(b) The books' reviews.
(c) C.S. Lewis' books.
(d) The books' sales.

8. Overall, what is the length of the longest letters included in the book?
(a) Over twenty pages.
(b) A few hundred words.
(c) Over ten pages.
(d) A few thousand words.

9. To whom is Letter #159 addressed?
(a) Christopher.
(b) Dora Marshall.
(c) Edith.
(d) Rayner Unwin.

10. When is Letter #246, about Gandalf and the Ring, written?
(a) September 1964.
(b) November 1962.
(c) November 1965.
(d) September 1963.

11. How heroic does Tolkien think Frodo is in Letter #246?
(a) He does not think that Frodo is a hero.
(b) He thinks that Frodo is a hero.
(c) He thinks that Frodo is only heroic in two situations.
(d) He thinks that Frodo is mostly a hero, but not fully.

12. What is the title of Tolkien's lecture that is included in an academic journal?
(a) English Fiction.
(b) English and Welsh languages.
(c) English and Welsh.
(d) English Fairy Tales.

13. How does Tolkien react to the original cover designs that he is sent for his books?
(a) He does not understand them.
(b) He likes them overall, but has a few suggestions.
(c) He is unhappy with them.
(d) He is very happy with them.

14. What year does Tolkien write to his publisher with his thoughts on the original cover designs?
(a) 1951.
(b) 1953.
(c) 1954.
(d) 1952.

15. According to his letters, how does Tolkien consider his experience with the publisher about the cover designs?
(a) Unexpected.
(b) Helpful.
(c) Unnecessary.
(d) Stressful.

Short Answer Questions

1. When does Tolkien begin using a typewriter for his letters?

2. In Letter #227, how does Tolkien explain the name, Numenor?

3. Why does a woman think that a used book she purchased had been previously owned by Tolkien?

4. What does Tolkien announce to Christopher Bretherton in Letter #257?

5. According to Tolkien in Letter #257, what prevents people from having children?

(see the answer keys)

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