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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What two months are Letters #146, 147, and 148 written in?

2. What aspect of fiction is detailed in Letter #199?

3. Besides his publisher, who else does Tolkien give credit to for his literary success in his letter to D. Auden?

4. What book has Tolkien recently completed when he writes a letter to W.H. Auden that is included in "To Anne Barrett of Houghton Mifflin Co."?

5. Based on Tolkien's assessment in Letter #159, who is the most surprised about the results of the published books?

Short Essay Questions

1. What wish does Tolkien have for "well-meaning" editors in Letter #236?

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

3. What is Tolkien's initial reaction when he is warned about his friendship with C.S. Lewis and what happens to change his mind?

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

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

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

7. What observation is made about Tolkien's work that prompts him to evaluate Frodo's heroic status?

8. Who is Tolkien writing to when he predicts what would happen if Gandalf had worn the Ring, and what is his prediction?

9. As Tolkien explains in his letter to Unwin, why is the work of C.S. Lewis opposed by some?

10. Which literary device does Tolkien not appreciate and how does he view the intended audience of fairy tales?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe in detail the story that Tolkien tells Christopher about a train ride he has with two other men in a letter from April 3, 1944. Also, include the literary techniques used by Tolkien in the letter and why they display his skill as a writer.

Essay Topic 2

Chronicle Tolkien's fascination with stories from his childhood to his career as an author. Include a description of how he used his skills and abilities to develop his appreciation of stories and languages.

Essay Topic 3

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien begins with Tolkien's early letters from 1914 while he was an undergraduate at Oxford University.

1) Describe the events that Tolkien includes in his letters about his relationship with Edith and why it is important to him.

2) Explain how Tolkien discusses his time at Oxford, his education, and his classes.

3) Analyze Tolkien's writing style in his earliest letters.

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