View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 9, Democracy, Chapter 10, Americans.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which is NOT one of the qualities of Anglo-Saxons Mencken points to in Chapter 10?
(a) Rational and free of superstition.
(b) Yearning to constantly improve.
(c) Self-congratulatory.
(d) Pure blooded.

2. Why might "reflective and skeptical men" refrain from suicide?
(a) For the good food in life.
(b) For the sense of humor in life.
(c) For the thrill of physical activity.
(d) For the great women in life.

3. What does Mencken believe about the concept of evil?
(a) Evil is the reason why children are born.
(b) Evil is just another word for good; it's all relative.
(c) Evil is real, and exists all around us.
(d) Evil is a made-up term, and does not really exist.

4. How does Mencken feel about the overall capacity for virtue in the human race?
(a) Virtue is a nonsense term, because everything is relative.
(b) Most people are virtuous, but a few people spoil it for everyone.
(c) Very few men are virtuous.
(d) Everyone is virtuous, it's just a matter of uncovering it.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Mencken NOT believe about the possibility for morality to change over time?

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

3. What does democracy ruin, according to Mencken?

4. What kind of promises do politicians make?

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

(see the answer key)

This section contains 376 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample