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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where is the young poet who is the recipient of the letters studying when he begins to receive correspondence from Rilke?
(a) A military acdemy in Oslo.
(b) A military academy in Germany.
(c) A military academy in Prague.
(d) A military academy in Paris.

2. In the first letter, in what manner does Rilke suggest the young poet can tend to his personal growth?
(a) Aggressively.
(b) Quietly and seriously.
(c) Patiently.
(d) Publicly.

3. What is Rilke's primary criticism of the young poet's writing in the first letter?
(a) It does not rhyme.
(b) It lacks creativity.
(c) It is shallow.
(d) It has no individual style.

4. What type of poetry does Rilke advise the poet not to write?
(a) Narrative poems.
(b) Epics.
(c) Love poems and other common forms.
(d) Lyric poems.

5. In the first letter the young poet sent to Rilke along with his poems, what does he ask of Rilke?
(a) If Rilke can come visit him.
(b) If Rilke can send the poet a poem Rilke has written.
(c) If his poems are good.
(d) If Rilke can help the poet get published.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the first letter, which of the young poet's pieces does Rilke say demonstrates the most talent?

2. In the first letter, what does Rilke cite as the most disruptive hindrance to the young poet's progress?

3. How does Rilke say one can know if a poem is good?

4. What does Rilke say the young poet should do if he determines he should not be a poet?

5. What does Rilke send to the young poet in reply to the poet's first letter?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 334 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample