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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does Rilke tell the young poet to be considerate of because of their fear of solitude?
(a) The elderly.
(b) Artists who have not yet found their way.
(c) Children.
(d) Parents.

2. In what manner does Rilke say people should approach love?
(a) As students.
(b) As apprentices.
(c) As teachers.
(d) As children.

3. In the first letter, what does Rilke cite as the most disruptive hindrance to the young poet's progress?
(a) Drinking.
(b) Non-artistic work.
(c) Romantic entanglements.
(d) Looking for others to answer the poet's own personal questions.

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

5. What works by the writer who Rilke revers most does Rilke always have accessible to him?
(a) Winter's Best and On the Way.
(b) Jude the Obscure and Tess of the D'Urbervilles.
(c) Six Stories and Niels Lyhne.
(d) An Endless Summer and Tomorrow.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the first letter, which of the young poet's pieces does Rilke say demonstrates the most talent?

2. What does the sixth letter reveal about the state of the young poet?

3. From where does Rilke write the fifth letter?

4. What does Rilke say is "the most difficult of all our tasks"?

5. What does the poem enclosed in the seventh letter express a longing for?

(see the answer key)

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