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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 4.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the young poet describe the writer and personal acquaintance Rilke mentions?
(a) "Living and writing among the living."
(b) "Living and writing in heat."
(c) "Living and writing with blood."
(d) "Living and writing with true passion."

2. What does Rilke encourage the young poet to believe about God?
(a) That he does not exist.
(b) That he is in art.
(c) That he is everywhere.
(d) That he has not yet come.

3. What is the young poet's military rank?
(a) Doctor.
(b) Officer.
(c) Soldier.
(d) General.

4. In the second letter, who does Rilke cite as his artistic influences?
(a) Jens Peter Jacobsen and Auguste Rodin.
(b) Shakespeare and Beethoven.
(c) Jens Peter Jacobsen and the writer of the Psalms.
(d) The writer of the Psalms and Shakespeare.

5. How long has Rilke been in the city from which he writes the fifth letter?
(a) Six weeks.
(b) Six days.
(c) Two months.
(d) Two weeks.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why has Rilke come to the place where he composes the fourth letter?

2. What type of poetry does Rilke advise the poet not to write?

3. In the first letter, in what manner does Rilke suggest the young poet can tend to his personal growth?

4. In the third letter, what does Rilke say he wishes he could do for the young poet but is unable to do?

5. Why does it take Rilke so long to respond to the young poet's second letter?

(see the answer key)

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