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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 third property gained by the soul after passing through the dark night that leads the soul down the road of life?
(a) Only the longing for God.
(b) The desires of the human heart.
(c) The avoidance of sin.
(d) The path of honor and glory.

2. St. John writes that souls on earth are purged with the fire of what?
(a) Guilt.
(b) Evil.
(c) Love.
(d) Sin.

3. According to St. John, on what step does the soul seek to do something worthy of God without any favor from God?
(a) First.
(b) Fifth.
(c) Fourth.
(d) Tenth.

4. What does that author say the soul finds after passing through the dark night?
(a) Strength and divine powers.
(b) Honor and glory.
(c) Joy and wealth.
(d) Peace and rest.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. The author states that people can only move on the ladder when they have a feeling of what for themselves?

2. St. John describes the soul feeling as if it is losing ground when in reality it is just doing what?

3. The author writes that the yearning for God will leave the soul in what state?

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

5. What is the focus of Book II, Chapter XVI?

Short Essay Questions

1. As discussed in Book II, Chapter XXIV, when will the soul finally find peace and rest? Why?

2. How can the soul experience the presence of God while in the dark night, as described by the author in Book II, Chapter XIII?

3. How does St. John describe the trail that God walks as He leads the soul on its journey through the darkness?

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

5. Why does a soul have to wear a disguise as it ascends the secret ladder?

6. Why must the soul become numb to natural desires to receive God's strength and a union with God, according to Book II, Chapter XVI?

7. How does a purifying fire of love affect the souls of humans and angels in relation to a closeness with God as described by the author?

8. What are the three properties the soul gains after passing the dark night, as described in Book II, Chapter XXV?

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

10. What does St. John explain about his poem, "Stanza of the Soul," in Book II, Chapter XXII?

(see the answer keys)

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