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

2. As displayed in Letter #257, what is the connection between Tolkien's childhood and his later years?
(a) His enjoyment of stories.
(b) His writing.
(c) His education.
(d) His fascination with Elves.

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

4. What is Tolkien finishing while writing the letters included in "The Lord of the Rings Are Published"?
(a) The manuscript for the prequel to the trilogy.
(b) The collection of poems that coincides with the trilogy.
(c) The manuscript for the final story of the trilogy.
(d) The poem that coincides with the trilogy.

5. How heroic does Tolkien think Frodo is in Letter #246?
(a) He thinks that Frodo is only heroic in two situations.
(b) He thinks that Frodo is mostly a hero, but not fully.
(c) He thinks that Frodo is a hero.
(d) He does not think that Frodo is a hero.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Tolkien describe his work for a dictionary?

2. What is the title of Tolkien's lecture that is included in an academic journal?

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

4. What year does Tolkien write to his publisher with his thoughts on the original cover designs?

5. In Tolkien as "The Old Man," which dictionary does Tolkien reveal he worked for earlier in his life?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which familiar people does Tolkien continue to write to in the "Later Years," and which recipients are new?

2. Why is Tolkien honored with a degree from the Belgians and how do they refer to him?

3. Which literary device does Tolkien not appreciate and how does he view the intended audience of fairy tales?

4. What suspicions are confirmed by Tolkien about a woman's used book in 1965?

5. Who is Tolkien writing to when he predicts what would happen if Gandalf had worn the Ring, and what is his prediction?

6. What previously unmentioned career achievement does Tolkien reveal to Christopher Bretherton in Letter #253?

7. What is Tolkien's initial reaction when he is warned about his friendship with C.S. Lewis and what happens to change his mind?

8. What issues is Tolkien having with the cover images for The Lord of the Rings books and how does he handle the situation?

9. According to Tolkien's letter to W.H. Auden, what drives humans towards certain behaviors?

10. What is the mystery of creative writing that Tolkien reveals in Letter #199 to Christopher?

(see the answer keys)

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