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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which letter from the young poet is Rilke responding to with his fourth letter?
(a) The young poet's letter of Easter, 1907.
(b) The young poet's letter of May 2, 1908.
(c) The young poet's letter of Easter, 1903.
(d) The young poet's letter of May 2, 1903.

2. Where is Rilke when he writes the second letter?
(a) Viareggio, near Pisa, Italy.
(b) Athens, Greece.
(c) Florence, Italy.
(d) Berlin, Germany.

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Near the close of the fourth letter, Rilke mentions the positive aspects of the young poet's new profession. What are those positive aspects?
(a) Independence and solitude.
(b) Discipline and solitude.
(c) Discipline and self-sufficiency.
(d) Inedependence and self-sufficiency.

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

11. On what holiday does the young poet write his third letter to Rilke?
(a) Christmas.
(b) Valentine's Day.
(c) Epiphany.
(d) Easter.

12. Rilke challenges the young poet to ask himself a question regarding his writing. What is that question?
(a) "Is my writing genuine?"
(b) "Is my writing truly reflective of myself?"
(c) "Must I write?"
(d) "Must all of these words be part of the work?"

13. From whom does Rilke advise the young poet to avoid seeking advice?
(a) Military officers.
(b) Poets.
(c) Artists.
(d) Parents.

14. What does Rilke call himself in relation to the young poet at the end of the first letter?
(a) A master.
(b) A stranger.
(c) A sage.
(d) An expert.

15. What is the name of the young poet who is the recipient of the letters contained in this volume?
(a) Franz Rilke.
(b) Xaver Rilke.
(c) Franz Xaver Kappus.
(d) Franz Horacek.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Rilke advise the young poet to take comfort in if he feels uneasy in his new profession?

2. In the third letter, Rilke requests that the young poet avoid something. What is it that he asks the poet to avoid?

3. What does Rilke thank the young poet for at the end of the first letter?

4. How does the young poet describe the writer and personal acquaintance Rilke mentions?

5. From where is the first letter from Rilke to the young poet postmarked?

(see the answer keys)

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