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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Why has Rilke come to the place where he composes the fourth letter?
(a) To meet with his publisher.
(b) To improve his health.
(c) To visit his family.
(d) To write in solitude.

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

4. In the third letter, what does Rilke say he wishes he could do for the young poet but is unable to do?
(a) Give the poet some of his own books.
(b) Present the poet's work to Rilke's publishers.
(c) Visit the young poet.
(d) Publish the poet's work.

5. What is Rilke's primary criticism of the young poet's writing in the first letter?
(a) It has no individual style.
(b) It does not rhyme.
(c) It lacks creativity.
(d) It is shallow.

6. In the fourth letter, what does Rilke instruct the young poet to do regarding the poet's unanswered questions?
(a) Seek answers in solitude.
(b) Seek answers from artists.
(c) Love the questions.
(d) Seek answers from poetry.

7. In what year is the first letter from Rilke to the young poet written?
(a) 1909.
(b) 1910.
(c) 1903.
(d) 1902.

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

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

10. How does Rilke say that humans should approach physical pleasure?
(a) As something to save for special occasions.
(b) As something to use for distraction from worry.
(c) As something to guard carefully.
(d) As something to rejoice in.

11. Why isn't Rilke able to fill the request the young poet poses in his third letter to Rilke?
(a) Rilke is ill.
(b) Rilk is preparing to move.
(c) Rilke doesn't want to encourage the young poet.
(d) Rilke is too poor to afford to buy his books.

12. In what year does Rilke write the third letter?
(a) 1908.
(b) 1905.
(c) 1903.
(d) 1902.

13. In what season does Rilke write the second letter?
(a) Fall.
(b) Winter.
(c) Summer.
(d) Spring.

14. What type of locale is Rilke in as he is writing the fourth letter to the young poet?
(a) A farm.
(b) A city.
(c) A southern seaside.
(d) A rural plain.

15. What does Rilke tell the young poet about irony?
(a) Irony should only be used for humor.
(b) Irony should be sparingly used.
(c) Irony should never be used.
(d) Irony should be liberally used.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Rilke tell the young poet to rejoice in?

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

3. What type of poetry does Rilke advise the poet not to write?

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

5. How does Professor Horacek know Rilke?

(see the answer keys)

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