View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. As Tolkien explains in Letter #131, what motivates The Enemy in his stories?
(a) Evil intentions.
(b) Good intentions.
(c) Complicated intentions.
(d) Unknown intentions.

2. As mentioned in Letter #66, why does Tolkien think that he will have to move some of the sections of his book?
(a) They are too long.
(b) They are too short.
(c) They do not have the same writing style as the other sections.
(d) They do not fit in with the storyline.

3. Which character does Tolkien indicate has gained the most power by wearing the Ring?
(a) Sauron.
(b) The Witch-king of Angmar.
(c) Gollum.
(d) Saruman.

4. How many Rings of Power does the One Ring control?
(a) Seven.
(b) Eight.
(c) Ten.
(d) Nine.

5. How does Tolkien design the book, Farmer Giles of Ham?
(a) To be read aloud.
(b) Not to be read aloud.
(c) To be read as several separate stories.
(d) To be read in one sitting.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the skill or ability of the Elves'?

2. How old is J.R.R. Tolkien in the first letter?

3. How does Tolkien describe the change that he has made to his manuscript in Letter #129?

4. What request is made of Tolkien after he finishes Farmer Giles of Ham?

5. Under what conditions is Tolkien asked to chair an English department in "The Professor"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the similarity between the Elves and the Machine, and what is the main difference between both sides, according to Tolkien in Letter #131?

2. How is Tolkien's proficiency in writing displayed in the story he tells to Christopher in his April 3, 1944, letter?

3. What request does Allen & Unwin have about Farmer Giles of Ham and how does Tolkien respond?

4. 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?

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

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

7. What observation does Tolkien make about his Middle English class to Mrs. E.M. Wright in Letter #6?

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

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

10. What is the power of the pen and how does Tolkien explain it?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 827 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample