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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 13, Statesmen, Chapter 14, American Immortals.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What group of people has been "overestimated" throughout the course of human history?
(a) Greeks.
(b) Barbarians.
(c) Egyptians.
(d) Russians.

2. What aspect of President Grant does Mencken admire?
(a) His oratorical prowess.
(b) His reputation for a clean, corruption-free administration.
(c) His military prowess.
(d) His hard-living, genuine lifestyle.

3. What is Mencken's hope for democracy?
(a) It will finally deliver much-needed assistance to the poor.
(b) Mencken has absolutely no hope for democracy.
(c) It may lead to monarchy someday.
(d) It is a self-limiting disease.

4. What is Mencken's opinion of the belief that man has a soul, according to Chapter 1?
(a) The notion of a soul has led to unprecedented successes in philosophy and elsewhere.
(b) The notion of a soul is humanity's one bright spot.
(c) The notion of a soul is simple, but still very relevant today.
(d) The notion of a soul has failed to result in more people acting like God.

5. What does the "metaphysical" type of person inevitably do?
(a) Demands to know what you mean, even when it is obvious.
(b) Becomes paralyzed with fear over the enormity of the universe.
(c) Begs for spare change.
(d) Tips their hat for no reason.

Short Answer Questions

1. Punishment for crime is too often what, according to Mencken?

2. What is Mencken's opinion of original Christians?

3. What is the problem with trying to punishment a government for not working well?

4. In "female novels," how are males portrayed according to Mencken?

5. Why is Mencken unable to embrace democratic political theory, as he himself states it in Chapter 9?

(see the answer key)

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