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

2. In Book II, Chapter XXIV, in what state is the soul when the soul is united with divine wisdom after passing through the dark night?
(a) Atonement.
(b) Purgatory.
(c) Perfection.
(d) Sinfulness.

3. The author says that the first step on the ladder is similar to the way a person acts when they are in the early stage of what?
(a) Education.
(b) Romantic love.
(c) Childhood.
(d) Heartbreak.

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

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 sadness.
(b) Out of guilt.
(c) Out of remorse.
(d) Out of happiness.

Short Answer Questions

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

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 that author say the soul finds after passing through the dark night?

4. What object represents the passions of the natural man, according to Book II, Chapter XIV?

5. How many periods of trials must a soul pass through to finish going through the dark night, according to Book II, Chapter XXIV?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does St. John say happens on the fourth step of love of the secret ladder? Why does the soul not want favor from God?

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

3. Why does the author say that people who have never passed through the dark night understand spiritual freedom?

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

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

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

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

8. In Book II, Chapter XVI, why does the author say that it is necessary for man to learn to walk in the darkness?

9. In Book II, Chapter XIX, what happens on the first three steps of love on the secret ladder?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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