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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Rilke advise the young poet to buy in letter three?
(a) A collection of the complete works of Sophocles.
(b) A collection of the complete works of William Shakespeare.
(c) A collection of the complete works of Jens Peter Jacobsen.
(d) A collection of the complete works of Homer.

2. 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 ill.
(c) Rilke has been busy writing.
(d) Rilke has left it in another city.

3. What does Rilke send to the young poet in reply to the poet's first letter?
(a) A list of potential publishers.
(b) A letter and the poet's poems.
(c) Money.
(d) A volume of Rilke's poetry.

4. What novel does Rilke discuss in letter three?
(a) Jude the Obscure.
(b) Across the World.
(c) Pifer.
(d) Niels Lyhne.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In the fourth letter, what does Rilke instruct the young poet to do regarding the poet's unanswered questions?

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

3. Rilke indicates that in the future, men and women will approach each other differently than they do at the time of his writing. How will they approach each other?

4. Near the close of the fourth letter, Rilke mentions the positive aspects of the young poet's new profession. What are those positive aspects?

5. In what year does Rilke write the third letter?

(see the answer key)

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