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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which versions of The Hobbit earn Tolkien an honorary doctorate, as mentioned in Letter #165?
(a) The Italian and German versions.
(b) The French and German versions.
(c) The Italian, French, and German versions.
(d) The Italian and French versions.

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

3. Why does a woman think that a used book she purchased had been previously owned by Tolkien?
(a) His signature on the last page of the book.
(b) Handwritten scripts in the book.
(c) The owner of the used book store informs her that Tolkien had owned it.
(d) A letter of his folded in between two pages of the book.

4. According to Letter #257, why did Tolkien find it difficult to become close friends with Charles Williams, a mutual friend of C.S. Lewis?
(a) A polar difference in mentalities.
(b) A polar difference in literary appreciation.
(c) Williams was not a writer.
(d) Williams was not a fan of Fairy Tales.

5. 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 appreciated.
(d) They could be restrained.

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

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

8. When is Letter #159 dated?
(a) April 3, 1954.
(b) March 3, 1955.
(c) October 30, 1956.
(d) July 30, 1953.

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

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

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

12. When does Tolkien write to Unwin about C.S. Lewis in "Now the Books Themselves"?
(a) November 19.
(b) September 19.
(c) September 9.
(d) November 9.

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

14. How does Tolkien think his writing about the joys of fatherhood will be interpreted by people who are parents?
(a) They will be surprised.
(b) They will not be surprised.
(c) It will not be very helpful.
(d) It will be very helpful.

15. What type of good news does Tolkien preview in Letter #185?
(a) Financial.
(b) Financial and personal.
(c) Neither financial nor personal.
(d) Personal.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. As mentioned in Letter #246, where is Frodo unable to give up the Ring?

5. According to Tolkien in Letter #257, what prevents people from having children?

(see the answer keys)

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