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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Tolkien wish for "well-meaning folk who think they know" in Letter #236?
(a) They could be listened to.
(b) They could be reasoned with.
(c) They could be restrained.
(d) They could be appreciated.

2. Who are the familiar recipients of the letters of the 1960s that are included in "Later Years"?
(a) Christopher and Edith Unwin.
(b) Christopher and Rayner Unwin.
(c) Edith and Rayner Unwin.
(d) Christopher, Edith, and Rayner Unwin.

3. What is the title of Tolkien's lecture that is included in an academic journal?
(a) English and Welsh.
(b) English Fairy Tales.
(c) English and Welsh languages.
(d) English Fiction.

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

5. How does Tolkien categorize the attempts made to change his spellings in Letter #236?
(a) Largely misguided.
(b) Intentionally offensive.
(c) Somewhat misguided.
(d) Unintentionally offensive.

6. How does Tolkien respond to the woman when she writes to him to inquire whether he had owned a book she purchased?
(a) He does not respond.
(b) He is unsure if he owned the book or not.
(c) He confirms that he had owned the book.
(d) He denies owning the book.

7. In what year is Letter #253 written?
(a) 1964.
(b) 1963.
(c) 1964.
(d) 1962.

8. Why does Tolkien think his new position at the university will be better received in Letter #182?
(a) Because of the amount of time he has worked at the university.
(b) Because of the anticipation of the new book he is writing.
(c) Because of the reputation of the person that preceded him.
(d) Because of his fame as an author.

9. How does Tolkien respond to the publisher's actions with the cover designs in "Now the Books Themselves"?
(a) He is upset.
(b) He is confused.
(c) He is thankful.
(d) He is unresponsive.

10. Based on Tolkien's assessment in Letter #159, who is the most surprised about the results of the published books?
(a) Himself.
(b) Either himself or the publisher.
(c) The publisher.
(d) Neither himself nor the publisher.

11. What does the publisher do after reading Tolkien's opinions of the cover designs?
(a) They threaten to stop publishing the books.
(b) They change the covers based on his opinions.
(c) They leave the covers as is despite his opinions.
(d) They request more detailed notes from him.

12. How does Tolkien consider Frodo's breakdown in Letter #246?
(a) He thinks that it was unavoidable.
(b) He thinks that it should have been avoided.
(c) He thinks that it is not a moral failure.
(d) He thinks that it is a moral failure.

13. What aspect of fiction is detailed in Letter #199?
(a) Inspiration.
(b) Rewriting.
(c) Improvisation.
(d) Publishing.

14. What does Tolkien announce to Christopher Bretherton in Letter #257?
(a) He is retiring from teaching.
(b) He is a scientific philologist.
(c) He is retiring from writing.
(d) He is only writing poetry now.

15. What year does Tolkien write to his publisher with his thoughts on the original cover designs?
(a) 1954.
(b) 1951.
(c) 1952.
(d) 1953.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Tolkien think drives humans towards certain behaviors?

2. What is the first topic discussed in Tolkien's letter to Unwin about C.S. Lewis in "Now the Books Themselves"?

3. In Tolkien as "The Old Man," which dictionary does Tolkien reveal he worked for earlier in his life?

4. What age does J.R.R. Tolkien pass away?

5. Who are most of the recipients of "The Final Letters"?

(see the answer keys)

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