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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What can the devil sense is going on during the dark night, as written in Book II, Chapter XXIII?

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

3. What is the first property gained by the soul after passing through the dark night?

4. What does the garment of charity provide for the wearer, as described by the author?

5. In what form is the image of the spiritual ladder first found in the Bible?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

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

5. How is this unification achieved with God, according to Book II, Chapter XXIV?

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

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

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

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

10. In Book II, Chapter XV, why does the soul praise the darkness that causes so much pain?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The soul becomes transformed after passing through the dark night and starts to yearn and becomes overwhelmed with the power and depth of God. Answer the following with supporting examples:

1) How does the soul act after receiving a love for God after passing through the dark night?

2) Why does the soul enter into a restless state after understanding the power of God's love?

3) Why would the soul miss the spirit of God if it were ever to leave?

Essay Topic 2

The pain that occurs during the dark night is very intense and the author describes three types of pain that happens to the soul during this time. With examples from the text, please respond with examples to the following:

1) What are the three types of pain a soul experiences while going through the dark night of spirituality?

2) What causes this pain to occur?

3) Why is this pain required for the soul in order to emerge from the dark night?

Essay Topic 3

The knowledge and the experience of the dark night, as well as the ladder of spirituality, are considered secret. These occurrences are even defined as indescribable. With supporting examples, answer the following:

1) Why are the experiences of the dark night and the ladder of spirituality labeled as secret?

2) How does a person learn of the secret things from God? How does God leave no trail of his teachings?

3) Why are there no words to describe the learning the soul gains after passing through the dark night?

(see the answer keys)

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