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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What literary term applies to the following: "exhaust yourself like a spring"?
(a) Alliteration.
(b) Metaphor.
(c) Irony.
(d) Simile.

2. In an untitled poem from "Rilke's Poems on Other Difficulties," Rilke writes, "Great star of love's priestesses, which _____ kindles from its own right."
(a) Heartbreak.
(b) Feeling.
(c) Beauty.
(d) Misery.

3. What does the commentator say was Rilke's mode of exploration during "the long periods between his well-known great creative bursts of energy"?
(a) Letter-writing.
(b) Sculpting.
(c) Teaching.
(d) Painting.

4. What does Rilke write that he holds to be "the highest task of a bond between two people"?
(a) That they should stand alone.
(b) That they should each stand guard over the solitude of the other.
(c) That they must live closely.
(d) That they should hold no limits to their connection.

5. Which poem from "Rilke's Poems of Other Difficulties" speaks of a king?
(a) "Mausoleum."
(b) "Greek Love-Talk."
(c) "Magic."
(d) "Gong."

6. In what year did Rilke write "The Seven Phallic Poems"?
(a) 1940.
(b) 1925.
(c) 1915.
(d) 1905.

7. From what language has the author translated the poems and prose excerpts of "Rilke on Love and Other Difficulties"?
(a) Austrian.
(b) German.
(c) French.
(d) Bohemian.

8. Who does Rilke say is incapable of such loving as he calls for?
(a) Virgins.
(b) Women.
(c) Religious people.
(d) Young people.

9. Rilke writes in one untitled poem, "Like the _____ of quickly grown-up girls / one braids differently."
(a) Lipstick.
(b) Pigtails.
(c) Hairpins.
(d) Ringlets.

10. In what amount of time did Rilke write over 1,600 lines of poetry plus a major essay during "the great giving"?
(a) Three weeks.
(b) Six weeks.
(c) Three months.
(d) Six months.

11. What is the only novel that Rilke wrote?
(a) The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge.
(b) Letters to a Young Poet.
(c) Lessons of a Forgotten Soul.
(d) The Grapes of Wrath.

12. In the introduction to "Rilke's Poems on Love," the commentator states that Rilke's imagery is all what?
(a) Earthly.
(b) Surreal.
(c) Heavenly.
(d) Unnatural.

13. From what collection is "The Poet Praises" taken?
(a) Duino Elegies.
(b) Sonnets to Orpheus.
(c) Letters to a Young Poet.
(d) Cycle--Nights.

14. What does Rilke write is a simplification of one's way of life?
(a) Forgiveness.
(b) Love.
(c) Marriage.
(d) Sex.

15. What sculptor had an influence on Rilke's writing?
(a) Rodin.
(b) Rogarde.
(c) Da Vinci.
(d) Picasso.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Rilke write about in conjunction with love and sex in Part VI of "The Seven Phallic Poems"?

2. In the Introduction to "Rilke's Poems on Other Difficulties," Mood writes that Rilke "began as a bit of a sticky late ______."

3. Rilke writes in one letter, "At bottom ______ can help anyone else in life."

4. In the poem, "From the Cycle: Nights," Rilke writes, "Night. Oh you in depths ______."

5. Mood notes in his introduction to Rilke's poetry that the poet was "in no way an _______, nor in his life."

(see the answer keys)

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