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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 2.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Besides works by that writer, what other book does Rilke always have accessible to him?
(a) The Bible.
(b) The Torah.
(c) The Origin of Species.
(d) A volume of Shakespearian sonnets.

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

3. Rilke says that there is only one thing that "can grasp and hold and be just toward" art. What is that thing?
(a) Hope.
(b) Open-mindedness.
(c) Love.
(d) Creativity.

4. What does Rilke advise the young poet to buy in letter three?
(a) A collection of the complete works of William Shakespeare.
(b) A collection of the complete works of Homer.
(c) A collection of the complete works of Sophocles.
(d) A collection of the complete works of Jens Peter Jacobsen.

5. What does Rilke believe is wrong with sex?
(a) It is not wholly human and is based on temporary emotions.
(b) It distracts the artist from his work.
(c) It subordinates women.
(d) It goes against Christianity.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Rilke call himself in relation to the young poet at the end of the first letter?

2. What does the young poet request in his third letter to Rilke?

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

4. What does the young poet write about in his third letter to Rilke that Rilke mentions in his letter back to the young poet?

5. In what year is Rilke's second letter composed?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 325 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample