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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay 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 human nature.
(c) Humans' misunderstanding of God.
(d) Humans' misunderstanding of love.

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

3. From where is Rilke writing the eighth letter?
(a) Jonsered, Sweden.
(b) Rome, Italy.
(c) Fladie, Sweden.
(d) Paris, France.

4. How does Rilke say individuals can help prepare for God's coming?
(a) Through art.
(b) Through religious rituals.
(c) Through acts of love.
(d) Through prayer.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

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

3. What does Rilke say about careers in the sixth letter?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rilke mean when he says that humans have no choice in deciding to be solitary?

2. Why does Rilke advise the young poet "to be lonely and attentive when one is sad" in letter eight?

3. Rilke comments on the young poet's profession and compares the young poet's profession to other professions. What is Rilke's general idea about professions?

4. In letter seven, Rilke compares an ideal romantic relationship to "two solitudes [that] protect and border and salute each other." What does he mean by this?

5. What can be inferred about the young poet's feelings toward his own solitude from Rilke's seventh letter?

6. What does Rilke say about fear?

7. Why does Rilke send a copy of the young poet's sonnet with letter seven?

8. In letter six, Rilke encourages the young poet to maintain what he calls "a child's wise incomprehension" rather than joining in the "defensiveness and disdain" that are shared by the masses. What does he mean by this?

9. In letter six, what does Rilke tell the young poet he should do if he is lonely?

10. Rilke says that young people can't understand love. What reason does he give?

(see the answer keys)

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