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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. What age does J.R.R. Tolkien pass away?
(a) Eighty.
(b) Seventy-nine.
(c) Eighty-two.
(d) Eighty-one.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11. How does Tolkien sign Letter #165?
(a) J.R.R. Tolkien.
(b) John Ronald Tolkien.
(c) John Tolkien.
(d) John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.

12. To whom is Letter #159 addressed?
(a) Dora Marshall.
(b) Christopher.
(c) Rayner Unwin.
(d) Edith.

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

14. What is Tolkien's age when he writes Letter #253?
(a) He is in his eighties.
(b) He is in his sixties.
(c) He is in his nineties.
(d) He is in his seventies.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Tolkien expect the publisher to respond to his opinions of the cover designs?

2. How does Tolkien respond to C.S. Lewis' use of the name Numenor in one of his stories?

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

4. In what year is Letter #253 written?

5. What feeling does Tolkien have about knowing the entire story of The Lord of the Rings?

(see the answer keys)

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