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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When the souls on earth are purged, with what do they become infused, according to Book II, Chapter XII?
(a) Guilt and suffering.
(b) Grace and redemption.
(c) Freedom and pain.
(d) Love and wisdom.

2. In what is the soul enveloped before passing through the dark night?
(a) A cloud of darkness.
(b) A collection of angels.
(c) Evil demons.
(d) A pit of despair.

3. Once a soul has received the love from God after the dark night, it will only want to do what, as described by St. John?
(a) Commit sins.
(b) Pray for other's forgiveness.
(c) Pray for forgiveness.
(d) Work for and love God.

4. What does the author explain about his work in Book II, Chapter XXII?
(a) His wife helped him in writing.
(b) God is speaking through him.
(c) His writing has a purpose.
(d) His writing is for selfish reasons.

5. What is the first property gained by the soul after passing through the dark night?
(a) God begins to love the soul of the person.
(b) Senses do not hinder the spirit.
(c) The soul no longer feels any need for God.
(d) Sin starts to have no consequences.

6. 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) Sinfulness.
(b) Atonement.
(c) Purgatory.
(d) Perfection.

7. What can a soul not see beyond until it has been properly purged?
(a) God's message.
(b) Sin and evil.
(c) The darkness.
(d) The eyes of a human.

8. 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) Romantic love.
(b) Childhood.
(c) Education.
(d) Heartbreak.

9. With what are the spirits in purgatory purged?
(a) Water.
(b) God's love.
(c) Sin.
(d) Real fire.

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

11. Why, according to St. John, does God give the devil access to the life of a believing Christian?
(a) To go to war with evil.
(b) God is uncaring.
(c) God has no control over the devil.
(d) To give an equal chance at allegiance.

12. In Dark Night of the Soul, the spirit thirsts for love more than the soul thirsts because the spirit realizes what?
(a) The evil of sin.
(b) God's punishment.
(c) How much pain relates to the divine.
(d) What it lacks.

13. What happens on the first step of the ladder, according to Book II, Chapter XIX?
(a) The soul swoons for God.
(b) God punishes the soul.
(c) Sin takes over the soul.
(d) The spirit battles the soul.

14. What is the main topic of discussion in Book II, Chapter XV?
(a) The first stanza of the poem.
(b) A chapter from the Bible.
(c) The second stanza of the poem.
(d) The author's beliefs on marriage.

15. In Book II, Chapter XI, the soul would miss the spiritual love and affection of what if it was to go away?
(a) The demands of the earthly world.
(b) The guild of sin.
(c) The threat of evil.
(d) The fire of the Spirit.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the purpose for writing Dark Night of the Soul that St. John describes?

2. Who else can descend and ascend upon the spiritual ladder besides men, according to Book II, Chapter XIII?

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

4. In Book II, Chapter XII, what--more than understanding--will be imparted to the soul because of the will of God?

5. In what other way does the author describe the passions of man being at rest?

(see the answer keys)

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