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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To what does Rilke compare humans' misunderstanding of destiny in letter eight?
(a) Humans' previous misunderstanding of the motion of the sun.
(b) Humans' misunderstanding of love.
(c) Humans' misunderstanding of human nature.
(d) Humans' misunderstanding of God.

2. To what does Rilke compare the realization about the true nature of human existence in letter eight?
(a) A person is suddenly taken from his house and placed on top of a mountain.
(b) A single person left after a war.
(c) A person placed in the presence of God.
(d) A person transported from one country to another.

3. What does Rilke say women have more of than men?
(a) Empathy.
(b) Patience.
(c) Humanity.
(d) Love.

4. At the end of letter eight, what does Rilke remind the young poet of?
(a) His parents' love.
(b) His fear of judgment.
(c) His first poems.
(d) How he once longed to emerge from his youth and realize himself.

5. Why does Rilke believe that Rome makes one sad for the first few days of visiting it?
(a) It no longer has its ancient glory.
(b) It is too hot.
(c) It is too busy.
(d) Its reminders of ages past are oppressive.

6. How does Rilke say the young poet's career compares to other careers?
(a) Rilke says that the young poet's career is better than other careers because it allows more solitude.
(b) Rilke says the young poet's career is more distinguished than other careers.
(c) Rilke says that the young poet's career is essentially the same as all other careers.
(d) Rilke says that the young poet's career has more conventions than other careers.

7. Who resists the future change in women that Rilke notes in letter seven?
(a) Men.
(b) Militaries.
(c) The Church.
(d) Philosophers.

8. Why does Rilke delay so long in replying to the young poet's fifth letter?
(a) Rilke leaves the young poet's letter in another city.
(b) Rilke does not like to write letters when he is traveling.
(c) Rilke has been ill.
(d) The young poet's fifth letter has angered Rilke.

9. In letter seven, what does Rilke say that love should be?
(a) A union of one with another.
(b) A balance of mental and physical.
(c) A selfless act.
(d) A motivation for each person to become wholly him or herself.

10. What does Rilke assert about the nature of human existence that he claims is a fact whether we think so or not?
(a) We are solitary.
(b) We are creative beings.
(c) We are made in God's image.
(d) We are built to love.

11. In letter five, what statue does Rilke mention is near his place of residence?
(a) A statue by Rodin.
(b) A statue of Ovid.
(c) An equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.
(d) An equestrian statue of Julius Caesar.

12. What does Rilke say is wrong with the way most people approach love?
(a) They focus too much on sex.
(b) They forget to value their partners.
(c) They believe it will always be easy.
(d) They abandon their true selves in their passion.

13. What does Rilke say is wrong with men?
(a) Men are too dominant.
(b) Men undervalue what they love.
(c) Men are too focused on the physical.
(d) Men oppress women.

14. What does Rilke say about fears in the world in letter eight?
(a) Fears are natural.
(b) Gears must be acknowledged.
(c) We have created the fears.
(d) Fears must be ignored.

15. In letter eight, what does Rilke tell the young poet he must be careful with?
(a) Names.
(b) Thoughts.
(c) Prayers.
(d) Sadnesses.

Short Answer Questions

1. From where is Rilke's sixth letter written?

2. From where does Rilke write the fifth letter?

3. What is the primary topic of the eighth letter?

4. What does Rilke say in the seventh letter about things that are difficult?

5. In what manner does Rilke say one must be when one is sad?

(see the answer keys)

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