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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In what year is the first letter from Rilke to the young poet written?
(a) 1903.
(b) 1910.
(c) 1909.
(d) 1902.

2. What does Rilke thank the young poet for at the end of the first letter?
(a) The young poet's talent.
(b) The young poet's confidence.
(c) The young poet's admiration.
(d) The young poet's effort.

3. What does Rilke say about Professor Horacek in his first letter?
(a) That the professor is a great poet.
(b) That the professor is a great scholar.
(c) That the professor helps to nurse Rilke back to health as a boy.
(d) That he holds admiration and gratitude for the professor.

4. How old is the young poet when he begins corresponding with Rilke?
(a) 25.
(b) 12.
(c) 19.
(d) 28.

5. In the first letter, Rilke says he cannot offer critical commentary on the young poet's work. Why?
(a) Rilke says that critical commentary is insufficient for understanding a work of art.
(b) Rilke is ill and does not have the physical stamina to read the young poet's work.
(c) Rilke believes the young poet's work is flawless.
(d) Rilke cannot read the young poet's work because he is blind.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. In the first letter, what does Rilke advise the poet to do to improve his writing?

4. In the first letter the young poet sent to Rilke along with his poems, what does he ask of Rilke?

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

(see the answer key)

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