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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. As explained in Letter #256, how long does Tolkien's current book take place after Mordor has collapsed?
(a) Fifty years.
(b) Two hundred years.
(c) One hundred and fifty years.
(d) One hundred years.

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

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

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

5. What is the only date found on Letter #182?
(a) 1955.
(b) June, 1955.
(c) January, 1956.
(d) 1956.

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

7. What is Tolkien finishing while writing the letters included in "The Lord of the Rings Are Published"?
(a) The collection of poems that coincides with the trilogy.
(b) The manuscript for the final story of the trilogy.
(c) The poem that coincides with the trilogy.
(d) The manuscript for the prequel to the trilogy.

8. How does Tolkien react to the original cover designs that he is sent for his books?
(a) He is unhappy with them.
(b) He is very happy with them.
(c) He does not understand them.
(d) He likes them overall, but has a few suggestions.

9. What feeling does Tolkien have about knowing the entire story of The Lord of the Rings?
(a) A different and possibly strange feeling.
(b) A different and possibly familiar feeling.
(c) An expected and familiar feeling.
(d) An unexpected and strange feeling.

10. In what year does Tolkien write about a piece of fan mail that boosts his spirits in "The Final Letters"?
(a) 1967.
(b) 1968.
(c) 1965.
(d) 1970.

11. Why does C.S. Lewis use the name Numenor in one of his stories?
(a) As an attempt to write a sequel to The Lord of the Rings.
(b) As a way to generate interest in the story.
(c) As a reference to Tolkien.
(d) As an attempt to rewrite The Lord of the Rings.

12. How long is Tolkien's Letter #256 to Colin Bailey?
(a) Two pages.
(b) Two paragraphs.
(c) One page.
(d) One paragraph.

13. As displayed in Letter #257, what is the connection between Tolkien's childhood and his later years?
(a) His fascination with Elves.
(b) His enjoyment of stories.
(c) His education.
(d) His writing.

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

15. What does Tolkien think children can become for their parents?
(a) One of the strongest sources of support.
(b) One of the strongest sources of information.
(c) A chance to correct their own mistakes.
(d) A chance to relive their lives.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Tolkien think his writing about the joys of fatherhood will be interpreted by people who are parents?

2. In a letter to W.H. Auden, where does Tolkien reveal his work as a professor originates from?

3. In Letter #227, how does Tolkien explain the name, Numenor?

4. How long does it take Tolkien to get his story about The Lord of the Rings published, according to Letter #159?

5. What does Tolkien wish for "well-meaning folk who think they know" in Letter #236?

(see the answer keys)

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