View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. If the young poet discovers he should not be a poet, Rilke suggests that his inner examination will not be worthless. Why not?
(a) The young poet might then discover his talents for music.
(b) The young poet may be able to have a well-paying career.
(c) The young poet may discover that he has a spiritual calling.
(d) The inner examination will result in the young poet determining a different course that may be better for the young poet.

2. Rilke writes that "most events are inexpressible," and says that one category of things is more inexpressible than all the rest. What is this category?
(a) Human frailty.
(b) Works of art.
(c) Human communication.
(d) Human suffering.

3. What is the name of the young poet who is the recipient of the letters contained in this volume?
(a) Franz Horacek.
(b) Xaver Rilke.
(c) Franz Xaver Kappus.
(d) Franz Rilke.

4. What does Rilke advise the poet to do in regard to his efforts to get published?
(a) Send his poems to Rilke's publisher.
(b) Send his poems to as many magazines as possible.
(c) Discontinue his efforts to receive feedback from publishers and other external parties.
(d) Send his poems to the United States.

5. How does Rilke suggest one knows if one should not be a poet?
(a) If one can live without writing.
(b) If one cannot get published after 100 tries.
(c) If one is bored by one's own writing.
(d) If one does not like to read others' poetry.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. What does Rilke ask the young poet to do for him at the end of the first letter?

4. Where is the young poet who is the recipient of the letters studying when he begins to receive correspondence from Rilke?

5. From where does Rilke instruct the young poet to derive inspiration?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 434 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample