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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 17, Pedagogy, Chapter 18, Psychology.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Mencken's assessment of Abraham Lincoln?
(a) He was a practical politician of great talent and rhetoric.
(b) He was an out-and-out racist.
(c) He was a bumbler and not fit for office.
(d) He was a hard-living chauvinist dinosaur.

2. What is Mencken's opinion about the variety of political systems?
(a) Dictatorship is preferable to oligarchy.
(b) Aristocracy is by far the worst form of government.
(c) Different political systems accomplish vastly different things.
(d) All governments accomplish the same thing and there are very little differences.

3. Who is the "ideal citizen of Christendom" according to Chapter 3?
(a) Young men drained of passion.
(b) An emotionally cold woman.
(c) The hapless hero of a female novel.
(d) Young men full of passion.

4. Why is Mencken unable to embrace democratic political theory, as he himself states it in Chapter 9?
(a) He is not poor, and so cannot see democracy's benefits.
(b) He is incapable of being envious of others.
(c) He is morally superior to democrats.
(d) He is simply too cultured and sophisticated.

5. How does Mencken characterize a woman's level of civility?
(a) Women do not submit to civilization and must be coerced.
(b) Women have created their own civilization quite distinct from men.
(c) Women are much more civilized than men.
(d) Women are relatively uncivilized.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the worst job in the world, according to Chapter 17?

2. What aspect of President Grant does Mencken admire?

3. What central critique does Mencken have for teachers of his day?

4. Why is the "pretty man" hated?

5. What was the goal of early democratists?

(see the answer key)

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