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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What stanza from "Stanzas of the Soul" is featured in Book II, Chapter XXV?
(a) First.
(b) Seventh.
(c) Third.
(d) Second.

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

3. What does St. John say is the purpose of the garment of faith?
(a) To protect oneself from the devil.
(b) To show the world one's faith.
(c) To cleanse oneself of sin.
(d) To prove one's worth to God.

4. What happens at the same time the soul is yearning for God in Book II, Chapter XI?
(a) The fire of God burns the soul.
(b) The comfort of God gives peace.
(c) The forces of evil burn the soul.
(d) The love of friends gives comfort.

5. According to Book II, Chapter XIV, why does the soul speak these lines: "I went forth without being observed / My house being now at rest"?
(a) Out of happiness.
(b) Out of remorse.
(c) Out of sadness.
(d) Out of guilt.

6. What happens on the first step of the ladder, according to Book II, Chapter XIX?
(a) The spirit battles the soul.
(b) God punishes the soul.
(c) Sin takes over the soul.
(d) The soul swoons for God.

7. In what is the soul enveloped before passing through the dark night?
(a) A cloud of darkness.
(b) A collection of angels.
(c) Evil demons.
(d) A pit of despair.

8. In Book II, Chapter XXIII, why is the soul traveling in concealment through the dark night?
(a) To hide from the devil.
(b) To protect itself from God's anger.
(c) To deceive peers.
(d) To sneak into heaven.

9. What is another reason the author gives for the soul traveling through the dark night in concealment?
(a) To protect against the anger of family.
(b) To hide from the sensual nature of man.
(c) To hide from the spiritual nature of man.
(d) To discover a secret power.

10. Where must man walk to be protected from the evil of natural senses?
(a) Through hell.
(b) In darkness.
(c) Around the world.
(d) In heaven.

11. In Book II, Chapter XX, what does the soul learn on the tenth step?
(a) Perfection.
(b) Immortality.
(c) All that God knows.
(d) Magical powers.

12. What does the author return to explaining in Book II, Chapter XXII?
(a) A verse from the Bible.
(b) The poem from the prologue.
(c) The author's credentials for writing.
(d) Another author's works.

13. What holds the soul in bondage?
(a) God.
(b) The devil and the senses.
(c) Peer pressure.
(d) Human thought.

14. In Book II, Chapter XIII, the author states that love is felt by what?
(a) Sin.
(b) The human mind.
(c) Guilt.
(d) Emotions.

15. In what form is the image of the spiritual ladder first found in the Bible?
(a) A lie.
(b) A joke.
(c) A nightmare.
(d) A dream.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the purpose of the disguise worn on the ladder, as described by the author?

2. To what can the fifth step of the ladder of love be compared?

3. From what does the garment of hope protect the soul, according to Book II, Chapter XXI?

4. When is a person supposed to start climbing the secret ladder?

5. In Dark Night of the Soul, the soul praises the darkness from which it has escaped what?

(see the answer keys)

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