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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 3.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does it take Rilke so long to respond to the young poet's second letter?
(a) Rilke has lost the letter.
(b) Rilke has been busy writing.
(c) Rilke has left it in another city.
(d) Rilke has been ill.

2. How does Rilke say one can know if a poem is good?
(a) If it helps readers understand life.
(b) If it moves its readers.
(c) If it reflects human nature.
(d) If it is inspired by necessity.

3. Where does Rilke say humans should look for lessons on how to approach sex and pleasure?
(a) The work of the great poets.
(b) Artists.
(c) The Bible.
(d) Plants and animals.

4. In what season does Rilke write the second letter?
(a) Summer.
(b) Spring.
(c) Fall.
(d) Winter.

5. From where does Rilke write the fourth letter?
(a) Paris, France.
(b) Berlin, Germany.
(c) Worpswede, near Bremen, Germany.
(d) Viareggio, near Pisa, Italy.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Rilke advise the young poet to view sex?

2. If the young poet discovers he should not be a poet, Rilke suggests that his inner examination will not be worthless. Why not?

3. In what year is Rilke's second letter composed?

4. What does the young poet write about in his third letter to Rilke that Rilke mentions in his letter back to the young poet?

5. Rilke says that there is only one thing that "can grasp and hold and be just toward" art. What is that thing?

(see the answer key)

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