View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Tolkien replying to in Letter #246?

2. How does Tolkien expect the publisher to respond to his opinions of the cover designs?

3. How long is Tolkien's Letter #256 to Colin Bailey?

4. According to the information in Letter #182, what position does Tolkien now have?

5. How does Tolkien think his writing about the joys of fatherhood will be interpreted by people who are parents?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Allen & Unwin respond to Tolkien's opinion of the cover images?

2. What does Tolkien think about Frodo's breakdown at the Cracks of Doom being considered a moral failure?

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

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

5. What important announcement does Tolkien make to Christopher Bretherton in Letter #253 about his connection to childhood?

6. How does Tolkien support his assessment of Gandalf's Ring-wearing in Letter #246?

7. How does Tolkien disprove the misconception that his success was made overnight in Letter #159?

8. What wish does Tolkien have for "well-meaning" editors in Letter #236?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Tolkien offers to give away copies of his manuscripts on two occasions while giving the reader an inside look at his opinions of his own work.

1) Explain the reason why a schoolboy contacts Tolkien about The Hobbit and how Tolkien responds.

2) Describe the way Tolkien refers to his own work in Letter #155 and why he does not think it will be published.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 843 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample