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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How long does it take Tolkien to get his story about The Lord of the Rings published, according to Letter #159?
(a) Two years.
(b) One year.
(c) Three years.
(d) Several years.

2. What does Tolkien think drives humans towards certain behaviors?
(a) They are driven exclusively by circumstances.
(b) They are driven by circumstances as well as other things.
(c) They are driven by their education and culture.
(d) They are driven by the people around them.

3. 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 rewrite The Lord of the Rings.
(d) As an attempt to write a sequel to The Lord of the Rings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. What university did C.S. Lewis have a Chair position?
(a) University of Edinburgh.
(b) University of Manchester.
(c) University of Oxford.
(d) University of Cambridge.

11. How does Tolkien expect the publisher to respond to his opinions of the cover designs?
(a) He thinks they will agree with 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 ignore his opinion.

12. How long is Letter #182?
(a) It is brief.
(b) It is an average length.
(c) It is divided into multiple sections.
(d) It is several pages long.

13. How long is Tolkien's Letter #256 to Colin Bailey?
(a) Two pages.
(b) One page.
(c) Two paragraphs.
(d) One paragraph.

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

15. What year does Tolkien write a long letter to Jane Neave that is included in "Later Years"?
(a) 1963.
(b) 1962.
(c) 1961.
(d) 1960.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which one of the following is a topic of discussion in Letter #150 to Christopher?

2. How does Tolkien respond to the publisher's actions with the cover designs in "Now the Books Themselves"?

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

4. Who are the familiar recipients of the letters of the 1960s that are included in "Later Years"?

5. When does Tolkien begin using a typewriter for his letters?

(see the answer keys)

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