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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 29, Buffooneries, Chapter 30, Sententiae, Chapter 31, Appendix.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What year did the New Deal programs begin?
(a) 1919.
(b) 1945.
(c) 1933.
(d) 1939.

2. How do rich people "buy public esteem" according to Mencken?
(a) They are especially generous to panhandlers.
(b) They donate to charities and to the arts.
(c) They make generous contributions to political campaigns.
(d) They buy newspaper ads praising themselves.

3. What is the chief problem with political theorists?
(a) They attempt to dignify the political order of their day.
(b) They have little sense of history.
(c) They hate politics in general.
(d) They are too antagonistic to the current political system.

4. What is the purpose of monogamy, according to Mencken?
(a) Marriage serves to protect society from itself.
(b) Marriage serves to kill and restrain passion.
(c) Marriage serves to emphasize romantic love.
(d) Marriage serves to enhance and legitimize passion.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 23, Mencken attends a church service during the Scopes Monkey Trial. What is his impression of that service?

2. How does Mencken characterize the emotional state of most schoolboys?

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

4. Who did the Black Plague mostly kill off, according to Mencken?

5. In Chapter 15, Mencken expresses surprise that no one has violated the tomb of which man?

(see the answer key)

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