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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Based on Tolkien's assessment in Letter #246, what drives Frodo to embark on the incredible journey?
(a) The need to do what is right and the love of a friend.
(b) The need to do what is right, the love of a friend, and loyalty.
(c) Loyalty and the need to do what is right.
(d) The love of a friend and loyalty.

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

4. As mentioned in a letter to Unwin, how had Tolkien previously responded to the warning about his friendship with C.S. Lewis?
(a) He misinterpreted the warning.
(b) He did not take the warning seriously.
(c) He stopped talking with C.S. Lewis.
(d) He began talking with C.S. Lewis' other friends.

5. What year does Tolkien write to his publisher with his thoughts on the original cover designs?
(a) 1952.
(b) 1951.
(c) 1954.
(d) 1953.

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

7. 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.

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

9. What feeling does Tolkien have about knowing the entire story of The Lord of the Rings?
(a) An expected and familiar feeling.
(b) A different and possibly strange feeling.
(c) A different and possibly familiar feeling.
(d) An unexpected and strange feeling.

10. What book has Tolkien recently completed when he writes a letter to W.H. Auden that is included in "To Anne Barrett of Houghton Mifflin Co."?
(a) The Lord of the Rings.
(b) Unfinished Tales.
(c) The Silmarillion.
(d) The Return of the King.

11. In Letter #227, how does Tolkien explain the name, Numenor?
(a) Illogical and not easily translated between languages.
(b) Illogical, but subjectively translated between languages.
(c) Logical, but subjectively translated between languages.
(d) Logical and not easily translated between languages.

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

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

14. Which literary technique does Tolkien not appreciate?
(a) Analogy.
(b) Alliteration.
(c) Metaphor.
(d) Allegory.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Tolkien respond to the woman when she writes to him to inquire whether he had owned a book she purchased?

2. How does Tolkien react to the original cover designs that he is sent for his books?

3. To whom is Letter #159 addressed?

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

5. What choice does Tolkien think each person has?

(see the answer keys)

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