View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How do the Hobbits respond to magic in Tolkien's stories?
(a) They are amused by it.
(b) They try to ignore it.
(c) They are confused by it.
(d) They are angered by it.

2. Who does Tolkien say are the only people interested in reading his literary works in Letter #115?
(a) Only C.S. Lewis.
(b) Only his wife and son.
(c) C.S. Lewis and his wife.
(d) C.S. Lewis and his son.

3. What book inspired a schoolboy to write to Tolkien, prompting his response in Letter #114?
(a) The Silmarillion.
(b) The Hobbit.
(c) Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics.
(d) The Lord of the Rings.

4. What does Tolkien explain he uses in developing his fascination with imaginary worlds?
(a) His skills and abilities.
(b) His skills, abilities, and sense of humor.
(c) His abilities and sense of humor.
(d) His skills and sense of humor.

5. What request is made of Tolkien after he finishes Farmer Giles of Ham?
(a) That he write more stories to make a large volume.
(b) That he edit some of the book to make it shorter.
(c) That he adds to the ending to make it more complete.
(d) That he remove two of the characters.

6. What point does Tolkien make about his book, The Silmarillion, in Letter #131?
(a) The themes of the book are intentionally complex.
(b) It is about humans.
(c) It is not about humans.
(d) The themes of the book are intentionally simple.

7. How does Tolkien design the book, Farmer Giles of Ham?
(a) To be read in one sitting.
(b) To be read aloud.
(c) To be read as several separate stories.
(d) Not to be read aloud.

8. What do the letters selected for "To Unwin about The Hobbit" have in common?
(a) They refer to Tolkien's most well known works.
(b) They are all less than one-page long.
(c) They are all over five pages.
(d) They refer to Tolkien's least known works.

9. How long is the summary that Tolkien's new publisher asks him to write at the end of "Publisher Drama"?
(a) Fifty words.
(b) Two-hundred words.
(c) One-hundred-and-fifty words.
(d) One-hundred words.

10. How does Tolkien respond to the idea of chairing the English department?
(a) He is insulted.
(b) He does not entirely understand why he was selected.
(c) He thinks it is terrible.
(d) He is very appreciative.

11. What does Tolkien suggest is the greatest resource for the information the schoolboy is seeking in Letter #114?
(a) Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics.
(b) The Lord of the Rings.
(c) The Silmarillion.
(d) The Hobbit.

12. What is the term "galleys" used to refer to in "The Professor"?
(a) Advance copies of a printed book.
(b) Chapter summaries for a book.
(c) Reviews for a book.
(d) Advance posters advertising a book.

13. Who is the person that Tolkien thanks, and is the recipient of Letter #130?
(a) Humphrey Carpenter.
(b) George Allen.
(c) Milton Waldman.
(d) Rayner Unwin.

14. In Letter #130, what distinction does Tolkien make about the artificial languages he creates for his books?
(a) They are seldom used in real life.
(b) They are the opposite of an actual real life language.
(c) They are never used in real life.
(d) They are a combination of two real-life languages.

15. How does Tolkien feel when he looks at his work in the revision stages?
(a) Confused.
(b) Grateful.
(c) Humbled.
(d) Defiant.

Short Answer Questions

1. As mentioned by Tolkien in Letter #131, when do the Hobbits first come into being?

2. How does Tolkien describe the writing of The Hobbit to Christopher?

3. How many other men are traveling with Tolkien during his conversation about accents?

4. How long is Tolkien separated from Edith, making his affection for her grow stronger?

5. How does Tolkien consider the term "Elves"?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 619 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample