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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What type of locale is Rilke in as he is writing the fourth letter to the young poet?
(a) A rural plain.
(b) A city.
(c) A farm.
(d) A southern seaside.

2. What does Rilke tell the young poet to ask himself regarding his religious beliefs?
(a) Whether the young poet's beliefs are merely conventions.
(b) Whether the young poet's beliefs are his own.
(c) Whether the young poet has ever truly found God.
(d) Whether the young poet truly wants to believe.

3. In the first letter, what does Rilke advise the poet to do to improve his writing?
(a) Begin studying music.
(b) Take a poetry class with Rilke.
(c) Emulate the best classical poets.
(d) Examine his inner self to determine what writing means to him.

4. How does Rilke say the young poet's career compares to other careers?
(a) Rilke says that the young poet's career has more conventions than other careers.
(b) Rilke says that the young poet's career is essentially the same as all other careers.
(c) Rilke says that the young poet's career is better than other careers because it allows more solitude.
(d) Rilke says the young poet's career is more distinguished than other careers.

5. To what does Rilke compare people who are preparing for God?
(a) Fools.
(b) Bees.
(c) Roses.
(d) Poems.

Short Answer Questions

1. On what holiday does the young poet write his third letter to Rilke?

2. In the fifth letter, Rilke tells the young poet that a package the young poet has sent to him has not arrived. What is in the package?

3. What does Rilke enclose with his third letter to the young poet?

4. If the young poet discovers he should not be a poet, Rilke suggests that his inner examination will not be worthless. Why not?

5. How does Rilke advise the young poet to view sex?

(see the answer key)

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