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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 6.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Rilke say about fears in the world in letter eight?
(a) Fears must be ignored.
(b) Gears must be acknowledged.
(c) Fears are natural.
(d) We have created the fears.

2. How does Rilke say that humans should approach physical pleasure?
(a) As something to use for distraction from worry.
(b) As something to rejoice in.
(c) As something to guard carefully.
(d) As something to save for special occasions.

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

4. What does Rilke assert about the nature of human existence that he claims is a fact whether we think so or not?
(a) We are creative beings.
(b) We are built to love.
(c) We are solitary.
(d) We are made in God's image.

5. Rilke compares a person to a house and a sadness to what?
(a) A table.
(b) A yard.
(c) A door.
(d) A guest.

Short Answer Questions

1. What writer does Rilke revere most?

2. Whose ideas about sex does Rilke advise the young poet to avoid subscribing to?

3. In the fourth letter, what does Rilke instruct the young poet to do regarding the poet's unanswered questions?

4. From where does Rilke write the fourth letter?

5. In letter five, what statue does Rilke mention is near his place of residence?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 317 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample