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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. Why is Teresa undertaking the writing of this book?

2. What must be understood if the thoughts that serve as distractions are from a spirit of evil?

3. What does Teresa say about good deeds that only glorify the person who does them?

4. What sign does the bride give that she is ready for union with God?

5. What worries Teresa about being able to quote other writers?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does Teresa explain the Prayer of Recollection?

2. Describe what Teresa saw in her vision about how to write the book?

3. How does Teresa evaluate those who serve but do not work at elevating their understanding of God?

4. What is Teresa's feeling after leaving the Prayer of Union?

5. Explain how the seeker receives the spiritual sweetness.

6. How does Teresa say a seeker will know if she is truly humble?

7. How does Teresa introduce her analogy of the silkworm?

8. How has Teresa handled fear and weakness on her part in the past?

9. Describe briefly the trial that accompanies arrival in the Sixth Dwelling.

10. What type of prayer does Teresa disdain?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on overcoming past mistakes. Teresa talks about being so caught up in guilt over past mistakes that people often become incapacitated. In your essay apply that principal to anything a person might aspire to do but is hindered by fear of making errors along the way.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on cloistered living. From the book, explain how Teresa reveals that living in a convent does not mean living a perfect life devoted to God. Use examples from her book that shows her recognition of the fact that women in the convent go through the same problems and stresses as those outside the convent.

(see the answer keys)

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