View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What book has Tolkien recently completed when he writes a letter to W.H. Auden that is included in "To Anne Barrett of Houghton Mifflin Co."?
(a) The Return of the King.
(b) The Lord of the Rings.
(c) Unfinished Tales.
(d) The Silmarillion.

2. According to the information in Letter #182, what position does Tolkien now have?
(a) Associate Professor.
(b) Department Chair.
(c) Senior Professor.
(d) Department Coordinator.

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

4. What choice does Tolkien think each person has?
(a) To cultivate or leave undeveloped.
(b) To perfect a skill or to remain a novice.
(c) To search for answers or leave unanswered questions.
(d) To become educated or remain uneducated.

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

6. When is Letter #246, about Gandalf and the Ring, written?
(a) November 1965.
(b) November 1962.
(c) September 1964.
(d) September 1963.

7. Besides his publisher, who else does Tolkien give credit to for his literary success in his letter to D. Auden?
(a) A former teacher and a former student.
(b) A nun and a former student.
(c) A nun and a former teacher.
(d) A nun, a former teacher, and a former student.

8. 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.

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

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

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

12. How does Tolkien respond to C.S. Lewis' use of the name Numenor in one of his stories?
(a) He is curious.
(b) He is confused.
(c) He is offended.
(d) He is delighted.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How heroic does Tolkien think Frodo is in Letter #246?

2. As mentioned in a letter to Unwin, how had Tolkien previously responded to the warning about his friendship with C.S. Lewis?

3. What year does Tolkien write to his publisher with his thoughts on the original cover designs?

4. How many Elves does Tolkien think might be able to manage the Ring of Power in Letter #246?

5. What university did C.S. Lewis have a Chair position?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 600 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample