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

2. Who writes the poem Rilke encloses with his seventh letter?
(a) Shakespeare.
(b) Rilke.
(c) Kappus.
(d) Petrarch.

3. What does Rilke imply about losing God?
(a) Once found, God cannot be lost.
(b) Losing God is part of growing up.
(c) Losing God is necessary if one is to find God.
(d) God does not exist.

4. At the close of letter eight, what does Rilke tell the poet about people who give him advice?
(a) The young poet should be skeptical of people who give him advice.
(b) People who give the young poet advice have had troubled times in their lives, as well.
(c) People who give the young poet advice should look to their own troubles.
(d) The young poet should avoid people who give him advice.

5. In what year is the seventh letter written?
(a) 1903.
(b) 1912.
(c) 1908.
(d) 1904.

6. What does the sixth letter reveal about the state of the young poet?
(a) The young poet is suffering from writer's block.
(b) The young poet is sad and lonely.
(c) The young poet is relishing his solitude.
(d) The young poet is enjoying his new career.

7. Rilke compares the existence of each individual to a room. What portion of that room do most people experience?
(a) The doorway.
(b) The floor.
(c) The entire room.
(d) A single aspect of that room, such as a corner or a window.

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

9. From where does Rilke write the fifth letter?
(a) Bremen, Germany.
(b) Rome, Italy.
(c) Paris, France.
(d) Florence, Italy.

10. In what year is Rilke's sixth letter written?
(a) 1903.
(b) 1912.
(c) 1908.
(d) 1904.

11. In whose handwriting does the poem Rilke enclosed with his seventh letter appear?
(a) Rilke's wife's.
(b) Kappus'.
(c) Rilke's.
(d) Professor Horacek's.

12. What does Rilke say in the seventh letter about things that are difficult?
(a) Things that are difficult enhance our discipline.
(b) Things that are difficult should be avoided.
(c) Things that are difficult are worth doing or experiencing.
(d) Things that are difficult are usually not the things that are best for us.

13. What does Rilke say is "the only courage demanded of us"?
(a) The courage o be solitary.
(b) The courage to be prepared for the unknown or unexpected.
(c) The courage to love.
(d) The courage to create.

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

15. What holiday is Rilke marking with his sixth letter?
(a) All Saints Day.
(b) The New Year.
(c) Christmas.
(d) Easter.

Short Answer Questions

1. Rilke says that in certain places, the emergence of women is already taking place. Where is this?

2. In what season is Rilke writing the seventh letter?

3. What two aspects of human life does Rilke claim have no explanation?

4. What does Rilke say is "the most difficult of all our tasks"?

5. In letter five, to where does Rilke say he is preparing to move?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 600 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample