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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 23, Souvenirs of a Journalist, Chapter 24, Criticism.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. How does Mencken define government?
(a) A collection of the looniest among us.
(b) A dozen men who can't do anything right.
(c) A war on the poor.
(d) A conspiracy against superior men.

3. What is "one of the most valuable human possessions" according to Mencken in Chapter 16?
(a) The reputation of being rich.
(b) Dignity.
(c) The ability to do simple math.
(d) Spatial awareness.

4. Who was the attorney on the side of the prosecution in the Scopes Monkey Trial?
(a) Theodore Veblen.
(b) Andrew Still.
(c) William Jennings Bryan.
(d) Clarence Darrow.

5. What was Mencken's opinion of New Deal programs?
(a) They were disastrous in practice.
(b) They were great boons to mankind.
(c) They imbued average Americans with a rugged individual spirit.
(d) They were theoretically dubious, but worked okay in practice.

Short Answer Questions

1. What BEST characterizes Mencken's view of the townspeople involved in the Scopes Monkey Trial?

2. Which is NOT one of the negative effects Mencken mentions in regards to Prohibition?

3. Where did Mencken meet Sister Aimee?

4. What kind of promises do politicians make?

5. Who was the attorney on the side of the defense in the Scopes Monkey Trial?

(see the answer key)

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