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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

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

5. How does Tolkien expect the publisher to respond to his opinions of the cover designs?
(a) He thinks they will ignore his opinion.
(b) He thinks they will appreciate his opinion, but not act on it.
(c) He thinks they will become upset by reading his opinion.
(d) He thinks they will agree with his opinion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. According to his letters, how does Tolkien consider his experience with the publisher about the cover designs?
(a) Helpful.
(b) Unexpected.
(c) Unnecessary.
(d) Stressful.

13. According to Tolkien in Letter #246, what would have happened if Gandalf wore the ring?
(a) He would have been worse than Sauron.
(b) He would have been the same as Sauron.
(c) Tolkien is not sure.
(d) He would have been better than Sauron.

14. 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?
(a) Once.
(b) Three times.
(c) Twice.
(d) None.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In his letter to D. Auden in "The Lord of the Rings Are Published," why does Tolkien think his work is published?

2. What choice does Tolkien think each person has?

3. What does the publisher do after reading Tolkien's opinions of the cover designs?

4. How does Tolkien categorize the attempts made to change his spellings in Letter #236?

5. When is Letter #185 written to Christopher and Faith Tolkien?

(see the answer keys)

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