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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What happens to human senses, according to the author, when a human is in the darkness?
(a) They are useless.
(b) They become strengthened.
(c) They are mixed up.
(d) They are necessary.

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

4. 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) A metaphor.
(c) A paraphrase.
(d) An acronym.

5. From what does the garment of hope protect the soul, according to Book II, Chapter XXI?
(a) The seven deadly sins.
(b) Things of the world.
(c) God's love.
(d) God's wrath.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. How does the author conclude his work?

3. In Book II, Chapter XII, what does the spirit of wisdom and love also affects?

4. Who is cited as experiencing a life having been accessed by the devil?

5. What does St. John say is the purpose of the garment of faith?

Short Essay Questions

1. From where does St. John say the image of the spiritual ladder is derived?

2. How does the soul speak of being happy by using the symbolism of a house in Book II, Chapter XIV?

3. In Book II, Chapter XI, what does the author say the soul will want to do after it has received the love for God?

4. In Book II, Chapter XXIII, what does the devil know about what is happening to a soul during the dark night and what does the devil do about it?

5. What is the author discussing in the second stanza of his poem from the prologue that is further explained in Book II, Chapter XV?

6. What is St. John's explained purpose for writing the book Dark Night of the Soul in Book II, Chapter XXII?

7. How can a soul reach the final step on the secret ladder? What happens on this step?

8. What does St. John say happens to the soul after it has become enkindled and starts yearning for God? What would happen if the fire were to go away?

9. In Book II, Chapter XXI, what are the colors of the disguise of the soul on the secret ladder, and what do they represent?

10. In Book II, Chapter XVIII, how does the soul move upon the spiritual ladder?

(see the answer keys)

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