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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 6.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. What writer and personal acquaintance does Rilke discuss in letter three?
(a) Richard Strauss.
(b) Professor Horacek.
(c) Thomas Hardy.
(d) Richard Dehmel.

4. Where is Rilke when he writes the second letter?
(a) Berlin, Germany.
(b) Florence, Italy.
(c) Athens, Greece.
(d) Viareggio, near Pisa, Italy.

5. What does Rilke believe is wrong with sex?
(a) It is not wholly human and is based on temporary emotions.
(b) It goes against Christianity.
(c) It subordinates women.
(d) It distracts the artist from his work.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long has Rilke been in the city from which he writes the fifth letter?

2. In the third letter, Rilke requests that the young poet avoid something. What is it that he asks the poet to avoid?

3. What does Rilke tell the young poet about irony?

4. At the end of letter eight, what does Rilke remind the young poet of?

5. To what does Rilke compare humans' misunderstanding of destiny in letter eight?

(see the answer key)

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