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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the second letter, who does Rilke cite as his artistic influences?
(a) Jens Peter Jacobsen and Auguste Rodin.
(b) Shakespeare and Beethoven.
(c) The writer of the Psalms and Shakespeare.
(d) Jens Peter Jacobsen and the writer of the Psalms.

2. In the third letter, what does Rilke say he wishes he could do for the young poet but is unable to do?
(a) Give the poet some of his own books.
(b) Publish the poet's work.
(c) Visit the young poet.
(d) Present the poet's work to Rilke's publishers.

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

4. What novel does Rilke discuss in letter three?
(a) Across the World.
(b) Niels Lyhne.
(c) Pifer.
(d) Jude the Obscure.

5. In the fourth letter, who does Rilke say is more similar than people think?
(a) Men and women.
(b) Humans and animals.
(c) Officers and prisoners.
(d) Artists and farmers.

6. During what decade does the correspondence contained in this volume take place?
(a) 1900s.
(b) 1890s.
(c) 1910s.
(d) 1920s.

7. In the first letter, which of the young poet's pieces does Rilke say demonstrates the most talent?
(a) "To Leopardi."
(b) Sonnet IV.
(c) "My Soul."
(d) "Ode to the Hills."

8. From where does Rilke write the fourth letter?
(a) Berlin, Germany.
(b) Paris, France.
(c) Worpswede, near Bremen, Germany.
(d) Viareggio, near Pisa, Italy.

9. What acquaintance do Rilke and the young poet have in common?
(a) Professor Horacek.
(b) Professor Kruppa.
(c) A distant cousin.
(d) James Joyce.

10. Why does it take Rilke so long to respond to the young poet's second letter?
(a) Rilke has lost the letter.
(b) Rilke has left it in another city.
(c) Rilke has been busy writing.
(d) Rilke has been ill.

11. Where is the young poet who is the recipient of the letters studying when he begins to receive correspondence from Rilke?
(a) A military acdemy in Oslo.
(b) A military academy in Germany.
(c) A military academy in Prague.
(d) A military academy in Paris.

12. In the first letter, what does Rilke cite as the most disruptive hindrance to the young poet's progress?
(a) Romantic entanglements.
(b) Non-artistic work.
(c) Drinking.
(d) Looking for others to answer the poet's own personal questions.

13. What type of locale is Rilke in as he is writing the fourth letter to the young poet?
(a) A farm.
(b) A city.
(c) A southern seaside.
(d) A rural plain.

14. In the first letter, what does Rilke advise the poet to do to improve his writing?
(a) Examine his inner self to determine what writing means to him.
(b) Take a poetry class with Rilke.
(c) Begin studying music.
(d) Emulate the best classical poets.

15. Where does Rilke say humans should look for lessons on how to approach sex and pleasure?
(a) The Bible.
(b) Plants and animals.
(c) Artists.
(d) The work of the great poets.

Short Answer Questions

1. Rilke says that there is only one thing that "can grasp and hold and be just toward" art. What is that thing?

2. What does Rilke advise the young poet to seek in regard to his sexuality?

3. What does Rilke ask the young poet to do for him at the end of the first letter?

4. How old is the young poet when he begins corresponding with Rilke?

5. On what holiday does the young poet write his third letter to Rilke?

(see the answer keys)

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