1. How does Tolkien describe the change that he has made to his manuscript in Letter #129?
(a) Final.
(b) Perfect.
(c) Negotiable.
(d) Reversible.

2. How does Tolkien consider the term "Elves"?
(a) He thinks it is senseless.
(b) He thinks it is misleading.
(c) He thinks it is amusing.
(d) He thinks it is undefined.

3. Which one of the following does Tolkien vigorously discuss in his letters?
(a) Grading papers.
(b) Reading academic books.
(c) Talking with students.
(d) Reporting to class on time.

4. Which novel was being made into a paperback, prompting the debate over spelling in Letter #236?
(a) The Lord of the Rings.
(b) The Hobbit.
(c) Farmer Giles of Ham.
(d) The Silmarillion.

5. Which new names are among the recipients of the 1960s letters included in "Later Years"?
(a) Professor Forster and Hugo Dyson.
(b) Mrs. Drijver and Hugo Dyson.
(c) Professor Forster and Mrs. Drijver.
(d) Professor Forster, Mrs. Drijver, and Hugo Dyson.

Short Answer Questions

1. Besides his complaint in "Later Years", how many other times in the book so far has Tolkien complained about the spelling changes made by the editorial staff of a publishing company?

2. With whom does Tolkien work in order to avoid the responsibilities of chairing the English department?

3. How does Tolkien respond to C.S. Lewis' use of the name Numenor in one of his stories?

4. How does Tolkien feel when he looks at his work in the revision stages?

5. Why does C.S. Lewis use the name Numenor in one of his stories?

(see the answer key)

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