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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What subject is a student's thesis about that Tolkien expects to find boring?

2. During the time these letters are written, what term do the British typically use to label Americans?

3. What is causing the culture of the Elves to suffer?

4. What happens when Tolkien first decides to approach the publishers about the delay of the books?

5. Who is the initial publisher for Tolkien's books when "Publisher Drama" begins?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What clarification does Tolkien make about the word, "Elves"?

6. How does Tolkien characterize Sauron in Letter #131?

7. Who is Tolkien traveling with in the story he recounts for Christopher in a letter from April 3, 1944, and what is the point of the story?

8. How can the One Ring of Power be destroyed?

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The One Ring of Power is a significant element in The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien's letters.

1) Describe the One Ring, its features, and the effect it has on whoever wears it.

2) Explain the only known way to destroy the Ring.

3) Analyze Tolkien's hypothetical assessment of why Gandalf would be worse while wearing the Ring than Sauron and whether you agree with him.

Essay Topic 2

Describe in detail the Stages of History according to Tolkien's explanation of them in his letters. Include the order of his fictional species, the major differences between them, how mankind fits into the development of his world, and Tolkien's reasons for creating each stage a particular way.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Tolkien's career as a professor and his career as an author while he is waiting for The Lord of the Rings to be published. Include several examples of his descriptions of his teaching responsibilities, how he approached them during this time, and the reminder he used when he became concerned with the publishing of his work. Then, analyze the way Tolkien writes about his teaching career after his books have become successful and he has been promoted to Senior Professor.

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