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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Rilke say about Professor Horacek in his first letter?
(a) That the professor is a great scholar.
(b) That the professor helps to nurse Rilke back to health as a boy.
(c) That the professor is a great poet.
(d) That he holds admiration and gratitude for the professor.

2. What does Rilke advise the young poet to take comfort in if he feels uneasy in his new profession?
(a) Reading.
(b) Writing.
(c) Solitude.
(d) Prayer.

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

4. How old is the young poet when he begins corresponding with Rilke?
(a) 19.
(b) 12.
(c) 25.
(d) 28.

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

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

7. 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 write in solitude.
(d) To visit his family.

8. 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?
(a) Not as sexual objects, but as human beings.
(b) Not as enemies, but as friends.
(c) Not as opposites, but as human beings.
(d) Not as lovers, but as friends.

9. What does Rilke suggest that all humans share in, both women and men?
(a) Motherhood.
(b) Spirituality.
(c) Transcendence.
(d) Reverence.

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

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

12. Rilke writes that "most events are inexpressible," and says that one category of things is more inexpressible than all the rest. What is this category?
(a) Human suffering.
(b) Human communication.
(c) Works of art.
(d) Human frailty.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does it take Rilke so long to respond to the young poet's second letter?

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

3. What does Rilke view as a challenge of the young poet's new profession?

4. What novel does Rilke discuss in letter three?

5. How does Professor Horacek know Rilke?

(see the answer keys)

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