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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which book began as a story that Tolkien created to read to his children?
(a) Farmer Giles of Ham.
(b) The Lord of the Rings.
(c) The Hobbit.
(d) The Silmarillion.

2. What two months are Letters #146, 147, and 148 written in?
(a) November and December.
(b) June and July.
(c) August and September.
(d) February and March.

3. Besides his publisher, who else does Tolkien give credit to for his literary success in his letter to D. Auden?
(a) A nun and a former student.
(b) A nun, a former teacher, and a former student.
(c) A nun and a former teacher.
(d) A former teacher and a former student.

4. Based on Tolkien's assessment in Letter #159, who is the most surprised about the results of the published books?
(a) Himself.
(b) Neither himself nor the publisher.
(c) Either himself or the publisher.
(d) The publisher.

5. What does Tolkien announce to Christopher Bretherton in Letter #257?
(a) He is a scientific philologist.
(b) He is only writing poetry now.
(c) He is retiring from teaching.
(d) He is retiring from writing.

Short Answer Questions

1. What year does Tolkien write a long letter to Jane Neave that is included in "Later Years"?

2. What type of good news does Tolkien preview in Letter #185?

3. Based on the information provided by Tolkien in Letter #261, which Ireland Province was C.S. Lewis from?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What previously unmentioned career achievement does Tolkien reveal to Christopher Bretherton in Letter #253?

2. What important announcement does Tolkien make to Christopher Bretherton in Letter #253 about his connection to childhood?

3. Why, when, and how does Tolkien switch from writing with a pen and paper to using a typewriter?

4. Who does Tolkien thank in his letter to D. Auden on 1955?

5. What does Tolkien think about Frodo's breakdown at the Cracks of Doom being considered a moral failure?

6. How does Tolkien address the name Numenor in Letter #227?

7. Why is Tolkien honored with a degree from the Belgians and how do they refer to him?

8. What is the general range in lengths of the letters featured in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien?

9. What issues is Tolkien having with the cover images for The Lord of the Rings books and how does he handle the situation?

10. In what way does Tolkien think that his story will help both existing parents and future parents?

(see the answer keys)

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