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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. As mentioned in Letter #66, why does Tolkien think that he will have to move some of the sections of his book?
(a) They do not fit in with the storyline.
(b) They do not have the same writing style as the other sections.
(c) They are too long.
(d) They are too short.

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

3. Whom does Tolkien originally ask to draw maps for the imaginary world of The Lord of the Rings?
(a) Edith.
(b) A friend.
(c) A professional illustrator.
(d) Christopher.

4. What chapter of the book that Tolkien is working on is he considering altering in Letter #128?
(a) Chapter 8.
(b) Chapter 3.
(c) Chapter 5.
(d) Chapter 10.

5. Which school is Tolkien attending when the first letter begins?
(a) Yale.
(b) Cambridge.
(c) Harvard.
(d) Oxford.

6. How long is Tolkien separated from Edith, making his affection for her grow stronger?
(a) Four years.
(b) One year.
(c) Three years.
(d) Two years.

7. How old is J.R.R. Tolkien in the first letter?
(a) Twenty-four.
(b) Eighteen.
(c) Twenty-three.
(d) Twenty-one.

8. Where is the man whose accent Tolkien refers to as "English after being wiped over with a dirty sponge" from?
(a) Connecticut.
(b) New England.
(c) New Hampshire.
(d) Pennsylvania.

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

10. Which character does Tolkien indicate has gained the most power by wearing the Ring?
(a) Gollum.
(b) The Witch-king of Angmar.
(c) Saruman.
(d) Sauron.

11. What is Allen & Unwin?
(a) A bank.
(b) A printing service.
(c) A publishing house.
(d) A law firm.

12. What German word meaning "essential" does Tolkien refer to in Letter #6, stating that it is actually viewed as an English word?
(a) Unentbehrlich.
(b) Grundlegend.
(c) Wesenhaft.
(d) Entscheidend.

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

14. How does Tolkien think children will respond to Farmer Giles of Ham?
(a) He encourages them not to read it.
(b) They will not understand it.
(c) They will not like it.
(d) They might like it.

15. After the Hobbits originate, where does the Dark Power that Tolkien describes in Letter #131 exist?
(a) Rivendell.
(b) Mordor.
(c) Mirkwood.
(d) Gondor.

Short Answer Questions

1. What has Tolkien found in his manuscript when he writes Letter #69?

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

3. How many times do the Elves and the Dwarves share an enduring friendship throughout their history?

4. Where does the conversation about accents take place that Tolkien discusses in his letter to Christopher?

5. What two factors contribute to the main part of Letter #66 to Christopher?

(see the answer keys)

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