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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. Before beginning the writing, to what does she compare herself?

2. What does Teresa say inhabits the outside of the castle?

3. What does Teresa say makes the Prayer of Recollection necessary?

4. What does she say is at the center of the castle?

5. What worries Teresa about being able to quote other writers?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Teresa describe establishing and maintaining intimacy with God?

2. What is Teresa's feeling after leaving the Prayer of Union?

3. What does Teresa say about what is gained during the difficult times in life?

4. What does Teresa have to say about expectations and rewards for service to God?

5. What lament does Teresa offer for those who never experience a relationship with God?

6. What indicates Teresa's Christian mysticism as she begins her book?

7. How has Teresa handled fear and weakness on her part in the past?

8. What explanation does Teresa give in her prologue?

9. In what way does Teresa say a sister can insure her devotion to God?

10. What reservation does Teresa have about writing on the subject of prayer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on the pleasures of the world that are in conflict with the Christian ideal of drawing closer to God. In your essay detail pleasures that may be enjoyable at the moment but later bring no satisfaction to one's life.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on what prayer means to you. Explain whether you agree with Teresa of Avila that prayer involves introspection that goes along with the vocal words. In addition, mention the idea of prayer being a way of listening rather than demanding favors.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on visions versus hallucinations. In your essay give examples of what some refer to as visions and examples of hallucinations such as those brought on through the use of drugs. State your opinion as to the validity of visions. Do you support the idea that they come from some higher place or do you think that people see in visions what they want to see?

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