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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Rilke believe is wrong with sex?
(a) It distracts the artist from his work.
(b) It subordinates women.
(c) It is not wholly human and is based on temporary emotions.
(d) It goes against Christianity.

2. What does Rilke advise the young poet to seek in regard to his sexuality?
(a) A sexuality that is passionate and fierce.
(b) A sexuality that is based on creativity.
(c) A sexuality that is the young poet's own, individualized sexuality.
(d) A sexuality that is moderate.

3. What does Rilke say is bad about physical pleasure?
(a) Its ability to keep artists away from their work.
(b) Its temptation.
(c) Humans' misuse and waste of it.
(d) Its ability to bring happiness.

4. Why has it taken so long for Rilke to reply to the young poet with his seventh letter?
(a) Rilke had forgotten about the letter.
(b) Rilke had been traveling.
(c) Rilke had been ill.
(d) Rilke had left the letter in a different city.

5. Besides works by that writer, what other book does Rilke always have accessible to him?
(a) The Bible.
(b) The Torah.
(c) A volume of Shakespearian sonnets.
(d) The Origin of Species.

Short Answer Questions

1. What writer and personal acquaintance does Rilke discuss in letter three?

2. 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?

3. Why does Rilke believe that Rome makes one sad for the first few days of visiting it?

4. Whose ideas about sex does Rilke advise the young poet to avoid subscribing to?

5. What does Rilke advise the young poet to buy in letter three?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 360 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample