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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 he holds admiration and gratitude for the professor.
(d) That the professor helps to nurse Rilke back to health as a boy.

2. Rilke challenges the young poet to ask himself a question regarding his writing. What is that question?
(a) "Is my writing truly reflective of myself?"
(b) "Is my writing genuine?"
(c) "Must I write?"
(d) "Must all of these words be part of the work?"

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

4. From where does Rilke instruct the young poet to derive inspiration?
(a) The political climate of the times.
(b) Music.
(c) The words of other poets.
(d) Nature, common human experiences, and memories.

5. What does Rilke say the young poet should do if he determines he should not be a poet?
(a) He should quit writing completely.
(b) He should pursue the musical arts.
(c) He should join the military.
(d) He should pursue the visual arts.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old is the young poet when he begins corresponding with Rilke?

2. What type of poetry does Rilke advise the poet not to write?

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

4. In what year is the first letter from Rilke to the young poet written?

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

(see the answer key)

This section contains 338 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample