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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. How much time has passed between Tolkien's initial idea for drawing maps and when it becomes an issue with a publisher?
(a) Eight years.
(b) Over a decade.
(c) A decade.
(d) Four years.

3. 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 are too long.
(c) They are too short.
(d) They do not have the same writing style as the other sections.

4. In Letter #27, which of the following does Tolkien say that he will leave the drawing of to someone who can draw ?
(a) Mountains.
(b) Volcanoes.
(c) Elves.
(d) Hobbits.

5. In what year does Tolkien become disturbed by the length of time to publish The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Silmarillion?
(a) 1951.
(b) 1950.
(c) 1948.
(d) 1949.

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

7. 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) Wesenhaft.
(c) Grundlegend.
(d) Entscheidend.

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

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

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

11. In general, why do Tolkien and C.S. Lewis meet several times?
(a) To edit each other's manuscripts.
(b) To discuss sports and politics.
(c) To give each other literary criticism.
(d) To play games.

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

13. In what month does Tolkien write to Christopher about the writing process for The Hobbit?
(a) February.
(b) November.
(c) July.
(d) April.

14. What invention does Tolkien make when writing the poem being discussed with Unwin?
(a) A new word.
(b) A new genre.
(c) A new world.
(d) A new meter.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Tolkien describe the alteration he is contemplating making to his manuscript in Letter #128?

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

3. What book inspired a schoolboy to write to Tolkien, prompting his response in Letter #114?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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