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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. St. John says that the knowledge of the divine come to the soul in what way?
(a) By battling evil.
(b) By the Holy Spirit.
(c) By rejecting sin.
(d) By the power of the human mind.

2. 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) Purgatory.
(c) Atonement.
(d) Perfection.

3. The author writes that the yearning for God will leave the soul in what state?
(a) Guilty.
(b) Restless.
(c) Comfortable.
(d) Innocent.

4. What does the soul do on the sixth step of the ladder of love, according to Book II, Chapter XX?
(a) Draw back from God's love.
(b) Separate from human contact.
(c) Have ceaseless contact with God.
(d) Take a vow of silence.

5. 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.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why, according to St. John, does God give the devil access to the life of a believing Christian?

2. 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?

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

4. What is the main topic of discussion in Book II, Chapter XV?

5. What is the third property gained by the soul after passing through the dark night that leads the soul down the road of life?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does St. John conclude his book in the final chapter?

2. Why does the author say that people who have never passed through the dark night understand spiritual freedom?

3. Why is the experience of the dark night and the spiritual ladder called "secret," as explained by the author?

4. How can the soul experience the presence of God while in the dark night, as described by the author in Book II, Chapter XIII?

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

6. How does the soul speak of being happy by using the symbolism of a house in Book II, Chapter XIV?

7. How does a purifying fire of love affect the souls of humans and angels in relation to a closeness with God as described by the author?

8. What is St. John's explained purpose for writing the book Dark Night of the Soul in Book II, Chapter XXII?

9. In Book II, Chapter XVIII, how does the soul move upon the spiritual ladder?

10. How does St. John of the Cross use Mary Magdalene as an example of a soul passing through the second night of darkness?

(see the answer keys)

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