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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the author call things that stop the human soul from seeking God?
(a) Friends of humans.
(b) Sinful devils.
(c) Enemies of man.
(d) Opportunities.

2. In Book II, Chapter XII, what--more than understanding--will be imparted to the soul because of the will of God?
(a) Guilt.
(b) Repentance.
(c) Love.
(d) Sin.

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

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

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

6. What does the author explain about his work in Book II, Chapter XXII?
(a) His wife helped him in writing.
(b) His writing has a purpose.
(c) God is speaking through him.
(d) His writing is for selfish reasons.

7. In Dark Night of the Soul, the spirit thirsts for love more than the soul thirsts because the spirit realizes what?
(a) How much pain relates to the divine.
(b) What it lacks.
(c) The evil of sin.
(d) God's punishment.

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

9. What directions can men take upon the secret ladder, as described in Book II, Chapter XVIII?
(a) Side to side.
(b) From earth to heaven.
(c) From earth to hell.
(d) Ascension and descension.

10. How does the author conclude his work?
(a) Describing the properties gained through passing through the dark night.
(b) Describing the way the devil will try to seduce believers after reading the book.
(c) Describing ways to atone for sin.
(d) Describing the author's own plans to achieve divinity.

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

12. Without passing through the dark night, the author says that people are still what of their natural desires and wants?
(a) Addicted.
(b) Brothers.
(c) Free.
(d) Prisoners.

13. In Book II, Chapter XVIII, what does the secret ladder assist humans in reaching?
(a) God's dwelling place.
(b) Forgiveness for the soul.
(c) Spiritual understanding.
(d) Heaven.

14. The use of the term "dark night" throughout Dark Night of the Soul by St. John is an example of what?
(a) A homonym.
(b) An acronym.
(c) A metaphor.
(d) A paraphrase.

15. What is the main topic of Book II, Chapter XVII?
(a) God's fury.
(b) Secret knowledge.
(c) The path to heaven.
(d) The temptation of sin.

Short Answer Questions

1. When is the only time a soul can ascend to the sixth step?

2. 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"?

3. What is another reason the author gives for the soul traveling through the dark night in concealment?

4. What happens at the same time the soul is yearning for God in Book II, Chapter XI?

5. In Book II, Chapter XI, the author writes about the depth and power of what?

(see the answer keys)

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