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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Tolkien think his new position at the university will be better received in Letter #182?
(a) Because of the anticipation of the new book he is writing.
(b) Because of the reputation of the person that preceded him.
(c) Because of his fame as an author.
(d) Because of the amount of time he has worked at the university.

2. Which novel was being made into a paperback, prompting the debate over spelling in Letter #236?
(a) Farmer Giles of Ham.
(b) The Silmarillion.
(c) The Lord of the Rings.
(d) The Hobbit.

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

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

5. How does Tolkien respond to the publisher's actions with the cover designs in "Now the Books Themselves"?
(a) He is unresponsive.
(b) He is confused.
(c) He is upset.
(d) He is thankful.

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

7. What is the first topic discussed in Tolkien's letter to Unwin about C.S. Lewis in "Now the Books Themselves"?
(a) The books' reviews.
(b) The books' sales.
(c) C.S. Lewis' books.
(d) C.S. Lewis' opinions.

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

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

10. Overall, what is the length of the longest letters included in the book?
(a) Over ten pages.
(b) A few thousand words.
(c) A few hundred words.
(d) Over twenty pages.

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

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

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

14. 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 confirms that he had owned the book.
(c) He is unsure if he owned the book or not.
(d) He does not respond.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. How long is Tolkien's Letter #256 to Colin Bailey?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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