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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Book II, Chapter XII, what--more than understanding--will be imparted to the soul because of the will of God?
(a) Sin.
(b) Guilt.
(c) Repentance.
(d) Love.

2. 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 has no control over the devil.
(c) To give an equal chance at allegiance.
(d) God is uncaring.

3. In what form is the image of the spiritual ladder first found in the Bible?
(a) A lie.
(b) A joke.
(c) A dream.
(d) A nightmare.

4. What does the author return to explaining in Book II, Chapter XXII?
(a) Another author's works.
(b) A verse from the Bible.
(c) The author's credentials for writing.
(d) The poem from the prologue.

5. What is the focus of Book II, Chapter XVI?
(a) The pressure of human peers.
(b) The darkness in which the soul finds itself.
(c) The darkness of God's love.
(d) The light of spiritual faith.

6. What can the devil sense is going on during the dark night, as written in Book II, Chapter XXIII?
(a) A passing of spiritual wisdom.
(b) God's anger.
(c) The human's wickedness.
(d) The release from sin.

7. What happens to human senses, according to the author, when a human is in the darkness?
(a) They are useless.
(b) They are mixed up.
(c) They become strengthened.
(d) They are necessary.

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

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

10. Who does the author cite as someone who has seen the spiritual ladder?
(a) Joseph.
(b) Jeremias.
(c) Moses.
(d) Jacob.

11. In Book II, Chapter XXIII, why is the soul traveling in concealment through the dark night?
(a) To deceive peers.
(b) To hide from the devil.
(c) To sneak into heaven.
(d) To protect itself from God's anger.

12. In Book II, Chapter XXI, what color represents the garment of faith?
(a) Green.
(b) Purple.
(c) Red.
(d) White.

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

14. 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) The spirit battles the soul.
(d) Sin takes over the soul.

15. St. John describes the soul feeling as if it is losing ground when in reality it is just doing what?
(a) Exploring new territory.
(b) Committing sin.
(c) Becoming more godlike.
(d) Separating from the body.

Short Answer Questions

1. For whom is the ninth step on the ladder reserved, according to Book II, Chapter XX?

2. What holds the soul in bondage?

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

4. What happens at the same time the soul is yearning for God in Book II, Chapter XI?

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

(see the answer keys)

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