View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the main subject of Letters #146, 147, and 148?
(a) Rewriting the endings of the books.
(b) Getting enough advance copies of the book available.
(c) Getting the books into their published form.
(d) Rewriting the beginnings of the books.

2. What two months are Letters #146, 147, and 148 written in?
(a) November and December.
(b) August and September.
(c) February and March.
(d) June and July.

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

4. When is Letter #185 written to Christopher and Faith Tolkien?
(a) June 9.
(b) July 9.
(c) April 19.
(d) March 19.

5. How long before Tolkien's death is the last letter of the book written?
(a) Four weeks.
(b) Ten days.
(c) Four days.
(d) Ten weeks.

6. In a letter to W.H. Auden, where does Tolkien reveal his work as a professor originates from?
(a) The recommendation of a friend.
(b) An accidental job interview.
(c) His value of the English language.
(d) His actual interests.

7. 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?
(a) Three times.
(b) Once.
(c) Twice.
(d) None.

8. How do the Belgians describe Tolkien in Letter #165?
(a) The author of The Silmarillion.
(b) The creator of Gandolf.
(c) The creator of Mr. Bilbo Baggins.
(d) The author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

9. Who is Tolkien replying to in Letter #246?
(a) Mrs. Eileen Elgar.
(b) Edith.
(c) Rayner Unwin.
(d) Christopher.

10. How does Tolkien describe Gandalf in Letter #246?
(a) Misguided.
(b) Powerful.
(c) Powerless.
(d) Misunderstood.

11. Based on the information provided by Tolkien in Letter #261, which Ireland Province was C.S. Lewis from?
(a) Munster.
(b) Leinster.
(c) Ulster.
(d) Connacht.

12. How many Elves does Tolkien think might be able to manage the Ring of Power in Letter #246?
(a) One.
(b) Three.
(c) None.
(d) Two.

13. In Tolkien as "The Old Man," which dictionary does Tolkien reveal he worked for earlier in his life?
(a) Scholastic.
(b) Merriam-Webster.
(c) Oxford.
(d) American Heritage.

14. As Tolkien explains in Letter #246, what is the main difference between Gandalf and Sauron?
(a) Sauron has much more wisdom.
(b) Gandalf never succumbs to the Enemy.
(c) Gandalf succumbs to the Enemy.
(d) Sauron has much less wisdom.

15. How does Tolkien expect the publisher to respond to his opinions of the cover designs?
(a) He thinks they will ignore his opinion.
(b) He thinks they will appreciate his opinion, but not act on it.
(c) He thinks they will become upset by reading his opinion.
(d) He thinks they will agree with his opinion.

Short Answer Questions

1. What aspect of fiction is detailed in Letter #199?

2. What does Tolkien think children can become for their parents?

3. What is Tolkien's age when he writes Letter #253?

4. What causes Frodo to have a breakdown in The Lord of the Rings?

5. Based on Tolkien's assessment in Letter #246, what drives Frodo to embark on the incredible journey?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 562 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample