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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How many Rings of Power does the One Ring control?
(a) Ten.
(b) Eight.
(c) Seven.
(d) Nine.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11. How many times do the Elves and the Dwarves share an enduring friendship throughout their history?
(a) Once.
(b) Three times.
(c) Four times.
(d) Twice.

12. Who does Tolkien express gratitude to in Letter #6?
(a) Mrs. C.S. Wright.
(b) Mrs. C.S. White.
(c) Mrs. E.M. Wright.
(d) Mrs. E.M. White.

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

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

15. 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 son.
(d) C.S. Lewis and his wife.

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. According to Tolkien in Letter #131, what is the source of magic in his stories?

3. As stated in "The Professor," when are The Lord of the Rings books officially published?

4. After the Hobbits originate, where does the Dark Power that Tolkien describes in Letter #131 exist?

5. What request is made of Tolkien after he finishes Farmer Giles of Ham?

(see the answer keys)

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