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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 point does Mencken make in his discussion of Darwinian evolution?
(a) Evolution proves that religion is a farce.
(b) Evolution is unable to explain most of human behavior.
(c) Evolution is an unbelievably slow process.
(d) Progress among humans often moves too fast.

2. Who does Mencken consider the greatest classical composer?
(a) Mozart.
(b) Schubert.
(c) Beethoven.
(d) Brahms.

3. What does Mencken believe is the proper focus of psychology?
(a) The study of physical deformity (such as injury) on the mind.
(b) The study of psychological differences between people from various trades or types.
(c) The origins of lying.
(d) The study of mob mentality.

4. Which is NOT one of the qualities of rich people, as described by Mencken?
(a) Many buy public esteem.
(b) They are largely swindlers.
(c) They buy boring, unoriginal assets.
(d) They engage in exciting, risky ventures.

5. Mencken begins Chapter 25 with a philosophical discussion of what phenomenon?
(a) Indecision.
(b) Genius.
(c) Inspiration.
(d) Worry.

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. What is the BEST term to use for Mencken's characterization of American millionaires?

3. What was Mencken's opinion of New Deal programs?

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

5. Who does Mencken call "the national ideal of a literary character"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize Mencken's views on inspiration, as recounted in Chapter 25.

2. What is Mencken's own philosophy of psychology? What does he feel forms the basis of human psychology?

3. What does Mencken believe about chiropractors?

4. What is Mencken's belief about American millionaires?

5. Summarize Mencken's view of Ludwig van Beethoven.

6. In Chapter 24, Mencken discusses art and literary criticism. How do critics influence artists? And what makes for the best kind of literary critics?

7. What does Mencken believe about contemporary new inventions? Mention the telephone as well as the thermostat in your response.

8. What insight does Mencken provide about physical disease/illness?

9. Why does Mencken make mention of Charles Joseph Bonaparte? Who was Bonaparte, and what was Mencken's opinion of him?

10. Why does Mencken criticize the American Medical Association? What is his opinion of doctors as a professional class?

(see the answer keys)

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