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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. By what year does Tolkien insist that his books be published with his new publisher?
(a) 1950.
(b) 1951.
(c) 1952.
(d) 1953.

2. After the Hobbits originate, where does the Dark Power that Tolkien describes in Letter #131 exist?
(a) Mirkwood.
(b) Mordor.
(c) Gondor.
(d) Rivendell.

3. Who is the initial publisher for Tolkien's books when "Publisher Drama" begins?
(a) Allen.
(b) Humphrey.
(c) Unwin.
(d) Collins.

4. Who provides the main order of the letters included in the book?
(a) J.R.R. Tolkien.
(b) Christopher Tolkien.
(c) Humphrey Carpenter.
(d) Edith Bratt.

5. What happens when Tolkien first decides to approach the publishers about the delay of the books?
(a) The publishers provide a list of excuses.
(b) The publishers do not respond.
(c) The publishers take even more time.
(d) The publishers decline to publish them.

Short Answer Questions

1. How much time has passed between Tolkien's initial idea for drawing maps and when it becomes an issue with a publisher?

2. What is the term "galleys" used to refer to in "The Professor"?

3. How long does Tolkien indicate he has been working with the imaginary realms in Letter #130?

4. How does Tolkien consider the term "Elves"?

5. How does Tolkien think children will respond to Farmer Giles of Ham?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tolkien write about being given the position of chairing the English department at the university?

2. What stipulation does Tolkien have in working with Allen & Unwin on publishing The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and what request do they have for him?

3. How does Tolkien refer to The Hobbit in his early letters to Christopher?

4. What message does Tolkien hear when he is becoming impatient about the publishing of The Lord of the Rings?

5. What change does Tolkien consider and eventually make to The Hobbit in Letters #128 and #129, and why is it significant?

6. What is unique about Tolkien's poem, "Errantry"?

7. How are the letters for "To Unwin about The Hobbit" chosen and what information is left out of them?

8. What happens between Tolkien and Edith leading up to their engagement?

9. What happens between Collins and Tolkien during the publishing of The Lord of the Rings?

10. How was the collection of J.R.R. Tolkien's letters compiled and who helped with the process?

(see the answer keys)

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