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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. What does the author say the soul experiences, even during the dark night?
(a) Salvation from sin.
(b) The presence of God.
(c) Peaceful rest.
(d) An ascent to heaven.

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

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

4. What step of the ladder feels like heaven on earth?
(a) Eighth.
(b) Ninth.
(c) First.
(d) Fourth.

5. What object represents the passions of the natural man, according to Book II, Chapter XIV?
(a) A church.
(b) A feather.
(c) A house.
(d) A tree.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. In Book II, Chapter XI, the soul would miss the spiritual love and affection of what if it was to go away?

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

4. What does the garment of charity provide for the wearer, as described by the author?

5. How does the author compare God's trail as He leads the soul on the journey through the dark night?

Short Essay Questions

1. How can a soul reach the final step on the secret ladder? What happens on this step?

2. What is the author discussing in the second stanza of his poem from the prologue that is further explained in Book II, Chapter XV?

3. How can a soul reach the sixth step on the secret ladder, as written in Book II, Chapter XX? What do men receive while on this step?

4. How is this unification achieved with God, according to Book II, Chapter XXIV?

5. What did God do with Job during the dark night that allowed the devil access to his life, as explained by the author?

6. In Book II, Chapter XV, why does the soul praise the darkness that causes so much pain?

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

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

9. In Book II, Chapter XII, how does the desire of God influence understanding and love on a believer passing through the dark night?

10. In Book II, Chapter XI, what does the author say the soul will want to do after it has received the love for God?

(see the answer keys)

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