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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 2.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How old is the young poet when he begins corresponding with Rilke?
(a) 12.
(b) 19.
(c) 25.
(d) 28.

2. How does the young poet describe the writer and personal acquaintance Rilke mentions?
(a) "Living and writing with true passion."
(b) "Living and writing among the living."
(c) "Living and writing in heat."
(d) "Living and writing with blood."

3. If the young poet discovers he should not be a poet, Rilke suggests that his inner examination will not be worthless. Why not?
(a) The young poet may discover that he has a spiritual calling.
(b) The inner examination will result in the young poet determining a different course that may be better for the young poet.
(c) The young poet might then discover his talents for music.
(d) The young poet may be able to have a well-paying career.

4. How does Rilke suggest one knows if one should not be a poet?
(a) If one can live without writing.
(b) If one is bored by one's own writing.
(c) If one cannot get published after 100 tries.
(d) If one does not like to read others' poetry.

5. In the first letter the young poet sent to Rilke along with his poems, what does he ask of Rilke?
(a) If Rilke can help the poet get published.
(b) If his poems are good.
(c) If Rilke can send the poet a poem Rilke has written.
(d) If Rilke can come visit him.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what year does Rilke write the third letter?

2. In the second letter, who does Rilke cite as his artistic influences?

3. What does Rilke thank the young poet for at the end of the first letter?

4. Besides works by that writer, what other book does Rilke always have accessible to him?

5. In letter three, what does Rilke claim to be the most important element of becoming an artist?

(see the answer key)

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