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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the main topic of discussion in Book II, Chapter XV?
(a) A chapter from the Bible.
(b) The author's beliefs on marriage.
(c) The second stanza of the poem.
(d) The first stanza of the poem.

2. What is the first property gained by the soul after passing through the dark night?
(a) Senses do not hinder the spirit.
(b) The soul no longer feels any need for God.
(c) God begins to love the soul of the person.
(d) Sin starts to have no consequences.

3. What does the garment of charity provide for the wearer, as described by the author?
(a) A pleasing soul for God.
(b) Protection from sin.
(c) Obedience to God.
(d) Release from guilt.

4. Who else can descend and ascend upon the spiritual ladder besides men, according to Book II, Chapter XIII?
(a) Angels.
(b) Devils.
(c) Children.
(d) Animals.

5. The author writes that the yearning for God will leave the soul in what state?
(a) Comfortable.
(b) Restless.
(c) Innocent.
(d) Guilty.

6. St. John says that the knowledge of the divine come to the soul in what way?
(a) By the Holy Spirit.
(b) By battling evil.
(c) By the power of the human mind.
(d) By rejecting sin.

7. St. John's use of writing about a spiritual ladder as a path to unification with God is an example of what?
(a) Foreshadowing.
(b) Alliteration.
(c) Acronym.
(d) Allegory.

8. What is St. John's purpose in using repetition throughout Dark Night of the Soul?
(a) To help the reader predict the next chapter's subject matter.
(b) To show his authority over the reader.
(c) To aid the reader's understanding.
(d) To show off his writing skills.

9. In Book II, Chapter XI, the soul would miss the spiritual love and affection of what if it was to go away?
(a) The fire of the Spirit.
(b) The threat of evil.
(c) The guild of sin.
(d) The demands of the earthly world.

10. Why does the soul become secure after passing through the dark night, according to St. John?
(a) It has found itself.
(b) It has become like God.
(c) It has become strong in sin.
(d) It has forgiven God's mistakes.

11. Once a soul has received the love from God after the dark night, it will only want to do what, as described by St. John?
(a) Pray for forgiveness.
(b) Pray for other's forgiveness.
(c) Work for and love God.
(d) Commit sins.

12. In Book II, Chapter XXIII, what does the devil give the believer that stays with him disturbing the soul for a long period of time?
(a) Addictions to sin.
(b) Horrible thoughts and visions.
(c) Painful memories.
(d) Access to hell.

13. To what can the fifth step of the ladder of love be compared?
(a) A starving person and food.
(b) Children and parents.
(c) A husband and wife.
(d) A priest and God.

14. According to St. John, people who have never experienced a dark night do not understand what this feels like?
(a) Spiritual freedom.
(b) God's forgiveness.
(c) Sin's grasp.
(d) Heaven.

15. What are souls on the sixth step granted, according to St. John?
(a) Immense wealth.
(b) Magical powers.
(c) Eternal life.
(d) Things which they ask for.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens when the soul has a more complete purging, according to the author?

2. The use of the term "dark night" throughout Dark Night of the Soul by St. John is an example of what?

3. What does the author explain about his work in Book II, Chapter XXII?

4. What state does St. John say the soul is in when it has a chance to escape from bondage of the world?

5. What does the soul do on the sixth step of the ladder of love, according to Book II, Chapter XX?

(see the answer keys)

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