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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the fourth letter, where does Rilke instruct the young poet to look for answers to his deepest questions?
(a) Creativity.
(b) Sexuality.
(c) Poetry.
(d) Nature.

2. From where is the first letter from Rilke to the young poet postmarked?
(a) Paris.
(b) Prague.
(c) Berlin.
(d) Munich.

3. How does Rilke advise the young poet to view sex?
(a) To rejoice in it but not lose oneself in it.
(b) To see it as a temptation to be avoided.
(c) To distance sex from art.
(d) To fear it.

4. What writer and personal acquaintance does Rilke discuss in letter three?
(a) Thomas Hardy.
(b) Professor Horacek.
(c) Richard Strauss.
(d) Richard Dehmel.

5. What does Rilke tell the young poet to rejoice in?
(a) The young poet's work.
(b) The young poet's parents.
(c) The young poet's growth.
(d) The young poet's writing.

6. In letter three, what does Rilke claim to be the most important element of becoming an artist?
(a) Patience.
(b) Creativity.
(c) Love.
(d) Open-mindedness.

7. In the third letter, Rilke requests that the young poet avoid something. What is it that he asks the poet to avoid?
(a) Reading aesthetic criticism.
(b) Drinking.
(c) Studying science.
(d) Reading contemporary literature.

8. In the first letter, which of the young poet's pieces does Rilke say demonstrates the most talent?
(a) "My Soul."
(b) "Ode to the Hills."
(c) Sonnet IV.
(d) "To Leopardi."

9. To what does Rilke compare artistic experience?
(a) Transcendence.
(b) Epiphany.
(c) Sex.
(d) Religion.

10. What does Rilke view as a challenge of the young poet's new profession?
(a) Its lack of creativity.
(b) Its adherence to convention.
(c) Its lack of free time.
(d) Its rigorous hours.

11. Whose ideas about sex does Rilke advise the young poet to avoid subscribing to?
(a) Jens Peter Jacobsen's.
(b) Rilke's own.
(c) Richard Dehmel's.
(d) Professor Horacek's.

12. Where is Rilke when he writes the third letter?
(a) Berlin, Germany.
(b) Viareggio, near Pisa, Italy.
(c) Florence, Italy.
(d) Rome, Italy.

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

14. In the first letter the young poet sent to Rilke along with his poems, what does he ask of Rilke?
(a) If his poems are good.
(b) If Rilke can send the poet a poem Rilke has written.
(c) If Rilke can come visit him.
(d) If Rilke can help the poet get published.

15. 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 may discover that he has a spiritual calling.
(b) The inner examination will result in the young poet determining a different course that may be better for the young poet.
(c) The young poet might then discover his talents for music.
(d) The young poet may be able to have a well-paying career.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the first letter, what does Rilke advise the poet to do to improve his writing?

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

3. From whom does Rilke advise the young poet to avoid seeking advice?

4. 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?

5. How does Rilke say one can know if a poem is good?

(see the answer keys)

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