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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 that the young poet's career is essentially the same as all other careers.
(c) Rilke says the young poet's career is more distinguished than other careers.
(d) Rilke says that the young poet's career has more conventions than other careers.

2. Rilke tells the young poet that in regard to his sickness, he is a sick man, a convalescent, and what else?
(a) An illness.
(b) A shaman.
(c) A doctor.
(d) A medicine.

3. What is the primary topic of the eighth letter?
(a) Creativity.
(b) Solitude.
(c) Nature.
(d) Sadness.

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

5. At the close of the sixth letter, how does Rilke tell the young poet to be?
(a) "Be glad and confident."
(b) "Be happy in solitude."
(c) "Be joyful in art."
(d) "Be one with nature."

6. From where is Rilke's sixth letter written?
(a) Rome, Italy.
(b) Paris, France.
(c) Florence, Italy.
(d) Bremen, Germany.

7. What does Rilke say humans have grown away from because of their lack of courage?
(a) Nature.
(b) Art.
(c) The spiritual aspects of existence.
(d) The creative self.

8. In the fifth letter, Rilke tells the young poet that a package the young poet has sent to him has not arrived. What is in the package?
(a) The young poet's latest manuscript.
(b) A special German cheese.
(c) A book that presents works by the young poet.
(d) A collection of books by Rilke.

9. How long has Rilke been in the city from which he writes the fifth letter?
(a) Six weeks.
(b) Two months.
(c) Six days.
(d) Two weeks.

10. What does Rilke claim a sadness that enters into the body is in actuality?
(a) A fear.
(b) A realization.
(c) Inspiration.
(d) An unknown.

11. What two aspects of human life does Rilke claim have no explanation?
(a) Forgiveness and hatred.
(b) Love and art.
(c) Birth and death.
(d) Death and love.

12. In what year is Rilke writing the eighth letter?
(a) 1903.
(b) 1908.
(c) 1904.
(d) 1902.

13. What does Rilke advise the young poet to do if he cannot connect with people?
(a) Identify with nature, animals, and children.
(b) Read more books.
(c) Develop his sense of empathy.
(d) Learn an instrument.

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

15. To what does Rilke compare people who are preparing for God?
(a) Roses.
(b) Fools.
(c) Poems.
(d) Bees.

Short Answer Questions

1. From where is Rilke writing the eighth letter?

2. Why does Rilke believe that Rome makes one sad for the first few days of visiting it?

3. What aspect of human life does Rilke say is most burdened with conventions?

4. From where is the seventh letter written?

5. What does Rilke say women have more of than men?

(see the answer keys)

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