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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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) Visit the young poet.
(c) Present the poet's work to Rilke's publishers.
(d) Publish the poet's work.

2. In the fourth letter, who does Rilke say is more similar than people think?
(a) Officers and prisoners.
(b) Artists and farmers.
(c) Humans and animals.
(d) Men and women.

3. Where is the young poet who is the recipient of the letters studying when he begins to receive correspondence from Rilke?
(a) A military acdemy in Oslo.
(b) A military academy in Paris.
(c) A military academy in Germany.
(d) A military academy in Prague.

4. What does Rilke enclose with his third letter to the young poet?
(a) A note to Professor Horacek.
(b) Copies of some of his poems.
(c) A list of his most recent books.
(d) Names of publishers to whom the young poet can send his work.

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

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

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

8. In the second letter, who does Rilke cite as his artistic influences?
(a) Jens Peter Jacobsen and the writer of the Psalms.
(b) The writer of the Psalms and Shakespeare.
(c) Shakespeare and Beethoven.
(d) Jens Peter Jacobsen and Auguste Rodin.

9. How does Rilke say one can know if a poem is good?
(a) If it helps readers understand life.
(b) If it is inspired by necessity.
(c) If it reflects human nature.
(d) If it moves its readers.

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

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

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

13. In the fourth letter, what does Rilke say he wishes human beings are more reverent toward?
(a) Independence.
(b) Solitude.
(c) Their sexuality.
(d) Art.

14. Rilke says that there is only one thing that "can grasp and hold and be just toward" art. What is that thing?
(a) Hope.
(b) Open-mindedness.
(c) Creativity.
(d) Love.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Rilke suggest one knows if one should not be a poet?

2. Who does Rilke tell the young poet to be considerate of because of their fear of solitude?

3. What does Rilke say about Professor Horacek in his first letter?

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

5. On what holiday does the young poet write his third letter to Rilke?

(see the answer keys)

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