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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 is the main subject of Letters #146, 147, and 148?

2. Which one of the following is a topic of discussion in Letter #150 to Christopher?

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

4. What does Tolkien announce to Christopher Bretherton in Letter #257?

5. What is the only date found on Letter #182?

Short Essay Questions

1. What changes have occurred in Tolkien's career as a professor by Letter #182 in 1956?

2. How did being a father help Tolkien in writing one of his most well known stories, The Hobbit?

3. What observation is made about Tolkien's work that prompts him to evaluate Frodo's heroic status?

4. Why, when, and how does Tolkien switch from writing with a pen and paper to using a typewriter?

5. When is Tolkien's final letter written and how does he attempt to assemble his work before he passes away?

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

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

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

9. How does Tolkien address the name Numenor in Letter #227?

10. As Tolkien explains in his letter to Unwin, why is the work of C.S. Lewis opposed by some?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the differences between literature that is designed to be read out loud and stories that are written to be read silently. Use Tolkien's work as a reference, including his intent with Farmer Giles of Ham and a look at the role of writing that is intended to be presented verbally in contemporary literature.

Essay Topic 2

Tolkien expresses his discontent with changes made to his work by editors in various letters.

1) Describe two examples of Tolkien's disagreement with proposed changes in spelling or use of words for his stories.

2) Analyze how Tolkien invented the different languages for his fictional realm and why his educational background was significant.

Essay Topic 3

Chronicle Tolkien's fascination with stories from his childhood to his career as an author. Include a description of how he used his skills and abilities to develop his appreciation of stories and languages.

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