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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. Even at this point, what is Teresa's warning to her sisters?

2. What is the metaphor Teresa returns to in order to explain the feeling in the soul of ever-increasing anguish and unrest?

3. What, according to Teresa, is the prerequisite for entering briefly into the Sixth Dwelling?

4. What does Teresa say intensifies the pain?

5. What is the condition of her soul that gives her confidence to enter the bridal chamber?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Teresa describe the rapture of the Sixth Dwelling?

2. How does Teresa describe the soul as it comes into its most intimate contact with God?

3. How has joy given Teresa a kind of death?

4. What encouragement to her sisters does Teresa use to conclude her book?

5. Describe the metaphor of the ember in preparing one for marriage to God.

6. What are the beneficial effects of spiritual pain on the earthly body?

7. Even at this high state, what caution does Teresa offer?

8. What does Teresa identify as a reward for enduring trials of the Sixth Dwelling?

9. What admission does Teresa make regarding the hearing of voices?

10. What is the experience in the rapture that requires bravery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Write an essay about obedience. Use Teresa's insistence on being obedient to her spiritual advisers and superiors. In your essay either defend the idea of religious obedience or offer your objections to the idea. This is not an essay that has a right answer or a wrong one. It is your opinion and, therefore, cannot be wrong. The essay is marked on how well you present your case.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on skepticism. State your opinion on the value of being skeptical about anything seen or heard for the first time. Discuss in your essay why there is so much skepticism around things religious. Conclude your essay with an argument on whether skepticism is good or bad.

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