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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is the main thing that separates the Hobbits and the enemy?
(a) A lack of knowledge.
(b) The quest for power.
(c) A misunderstanding.
(d) The quest for gold.

2. What does Tolkien offer to the schoolboy in Letter #114?
(a) An encyclopedia set.
(b) Early copies of documents.
(c) Monogrammed stationery.
(d) The first draft of a never released manuscript.

3. Which one of Tolkien's books explains the history of Elvenkind?
(a) The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún.
(b) The Hobbit.
(c) The Silmarillion.
(d) The Lord of the Rings.

4. What will the alteration mean for the book Tolkien is writing in Letter #128?
(a) It will be designed not to have a sequel.
(b) It will be meant to be read by children.
(c) It will be designed to have a sequel.
(d) It will be meant not to be read by children.

5. Where does the conversation about accents take place that Tolkien discusses in his letter to Christopher?
(a) In a car.
(b) On a train.
(c) In a boat.
(d) On a plane.

6. What assertion does Tolkien make about Farmer Giles of Ham?
(a) It is a children's book.
(b) It is not a children's book.
(c) It is an unfinished work.
(d) It is his longest work to date.

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

8. According to Tolkien in Letter #131, what is the source of magic in his stories?
(a) The Machine and the Elves.
(b) Neither the Machine nor the Elves.
(c) Only the Elves.
(d) Only the Machine.

9. When does the history of the Elves begin?
(a) Long before humanity.
(b) Just after humanity.
(c) Long after humanity.
(d) Just before humanity.

10. Under what conditions is Tolkien asked to chair an English department in "The Professor"?
(a) Broad.
(b) Contradicting.
(c) Limited.
(d) Confusing.

11. How many improvements does Tolkien indicate he has made to the manuscript for Farmer Giles of Ham?
(a) Only a few.
(b) Numerous.
(c) Too many to count.
(d) None.

12. 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 not about humans.
(c) It is about humans.
(d) The themes of the book are intentionally simple.

13. With whom does Tolkien work in order to avoid the responsibilities of chairing the English department?
(a) The department supervisor.
(b) Students.
(c) Colleagues.
(d) The dean.

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

15. Why does Tolkien's new publisher need a summary of the books?
(a) To include on the back cover.
(b) To include on the inside cover.
(c) To use for publicity.
(d) To use for copyrighting the work.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Tolkien describe the domestic problems he is having in a letter before he moves to a small house?

2. Which one of the following does Tolkien vigorously discuss in his letters?

3. What issue does a woman's presence raise for Tolkien in "Publisher Drama"?

4. Which of the following is the main focal point of The Silmarillion?

5. Whom does Tolkien originally ask to draw maps for the imaginary world of The Lord of the Rings?

(see the answer keys)

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