Assessment Test: Practical Catholic Christian Living
Answer all questions to the best of your ability. Use your notes, Scripture memory work, and what you have learned in this lesson to guide your responses.*
PART ONE: Multiple Choice
Select the best answer for each question.
1. According to the Catechism of the Council of Trent, what does Baptism do with regard to original sin and concupiscence?
- A) It removes both original sin and concupiscence entirely
- B) It removes the guilt of original sin but leaves concupiscence as a matter for spiritual combat
- C) It removes concupiscence but leaves the guilt of original sin
- D) It has no effect on concupiscence or original sin
2. Romans 8:5–6 teaches that to set the mind on the flesh leads to:
- A) Temporary happiness followed by regret
- B) Spiritual growth and maturity
- C) Death, while setting the mind on the Spirit leads to life and peace
- D) Freedom from the law
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3. What does Romans 13:14 command us to do?
- A) Flee from all human relationships
- B) Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh
- C) Pray without ceasing and fast twice a week
- D) Present our bodies as a living sacrifice
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4. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, what does God promise regarding temptation?
- A) That He will remove all temptation from the lives of the faithful
- B) That only the spiritually weak are tempted
- C) That He will not let us be tempted beyond our ability, and will provide a way of escape
- D) That temptation is a sign of God's punishment
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5. The Baltimore Catechism teaches that the Sacrament of Confession was instituted by:
- A) St. Peter at the Council of Jerusalem
- B) The Apostles after Pentecost
- C) Christ Himself, who breathed on the Apostles and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit"
- D) The Council of Trent in the sixteenth century
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6. According to 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, why should we glorify God in our bodies?
- A) Because our bodies will be resurrected and must be kept pure
- B) Because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we were bought with a price
- C) Because physical discipline leads to spiritual maturity
- D) Because the Church requires it under pain of mortal sin
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7. Philippians 4:8 gives us a standard for our thoughts. Which of the following best summarizes that standard?
- A) Think only about Scripture and avoid all secular topics
- B) Dwell on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy
- C) Avoid all entertainment and media without exception
- D) Fill your mind with the lives of the saints exclusively
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8. The Baltimore Catechism defines a "near occasion of sin" as:
- A) A sin that is committed without full knowledge or consent
- B) Any venial sin that could lead to a mortal sin
- C) Any person, place, or thing that may easily lead us into sin
- D) A temptation that has not yet been acted upon
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9. According to the lesson, what is the "heartbeat" of Catholic spiritual life?
- A) Daily Scripture reading and lectio divina
- B) Frequent reception of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession
- C) Participation in a Catholic lay movement
- D) Observance of the Liturgy of the Hours
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10. What does 2 Corinthians 3:18 teach about how we are transformed into the image of Christ?
- A) Through rigorous moral effort and self-discipline
- B) Through the reception of the sacraments alone
- C) By beholding the glory of the Lord with unveiled face, by the work of the Spirit
- D) Through the study of the Catechism and Church teaching
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PART TWO: True or False
Write TRUE or FALSE next to each statement.
11. _______ Concupiscence is completely eliminated from the soul at Baptism.
12. _______ The Catechism of the Council of Trent teaches that prayer is the lifting of the mind and heart to God, and the primary means by which we obtain the graces necessary to resist sin.
13. _______ The Third Commandment obliges Catholics to hear Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
14. _______ According to the lesson, resisting temptation is primarily a matter of willpower and personal moral effort.
15._______ St. Jerome taught that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.
16._______ The Baltimore Catechism teaches that in Confession we receive not only forgiveness of sins but also the grace to avoid them in the future.
17._______ Philippians 4:13 — "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" — is a promise of worldly success and achievement.
18. _______ The Catholic tradition teaches that the body is sacred and is to be offered to God, not despised.
19. _______ According to the lesson, deliverance from temptation is a once-for-all experience that the mature Christian no longer needs to pursue.
20. _______ Hebrews 10:24–25 encourages believers not to neglect meeting together, but to stir one another up to love and good works.
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PART THREE: Fill in the Blank
Complete each statement using the correct word or phrase.
21. The Church calls the lingering wound of original sin that remains after Baptism _________________________.
22. Romans 12:1–2 urges us: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the _________________________ of your mind."
23. Psalm 119:11 says: "I have stored up your word in my _________________________, that I might not sin against you."
24. The three classic sources of temptation identified throughout the Church's tradition are the world, the _________________________, and the devil.
25. 1 John 1:9 promises: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all _________________________."
26. The ancient Catholic practice of prayerfully reading, meditating on, and responding to Scripture is called _________________________ _________________________.
27. Colossians 3:16 urges us: "Let the _________________________ of Christ dwell in you richly."
28. The Baltimore Catechism teaches that we are made to know, love, and _________________________ God in this life, and to be happy with Him forever in the next.
29. Ephesians 4:25 commands: "Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the _________________________ with his neighbor."
30. According to the lesson, the secret of holy living is occupation with _________________________.
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PART FOUR: Short Answer
Answer each question in 2–5 complete sentences. Draw on Scripture, the Catechisms, and the lesson content in your responses.
31. In your own words, explain what concupiscence is and why it remains after Baptism. What does the Catechism of the Council of Trent teach about how it is healed?
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32. The lesson identifies seven practical ways to nourish the life of grace. List at least four of them and briefly explain why each one is important for the Catholic disciple.
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33. What does Romans 12:1–2 teach about the Christian's relationship to the world? How does this apply to the use of technology and entertainment in daily life?
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34. Why does the lesson say that the Sacrament of Confession should be received regularly — not just when a sin feels heavy? Use at least one Scripture reference and one reference to the Baltimore Catechism or Catechism of the Council of Trent in your answer.
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35. What is a "near occasion of sin"? Give one concrete, practical example of how a Catholic disciple today might identify and remove a near occasion of sin from his or her life.
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36. The lesson closes with the words of Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." In light of everything taught in this lesson, what does this verse mean for the Catholic disciple who has struggled with sin and fallen? How does it connect to the sacramental life of the Church?
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Scoring Guide (for instructor use):
- Part One (Multiple Choice): 10 questions × 4 points = 40 points
- Part Two (True or False): 10 questions × 2 points = 20 points
- Part Three (Fill in the Blank): 10 questions × 2 points = 20 points
- Part Four (Short Answer): 6 questions × ~3.3 points = 20 points
- Total: 100 points