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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 11, The South, Chapter 12, History.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why is the culture of the United States deficient, according to Chapter 10?
(a) The U.S. lacks a civilized aristocracy.
(b) The U.S. lacks a healthy skepticism for so-called artists.
(c) The U.S. lacks a sound monetary policy.
(d) The U.S. lacks social programs for the poor.

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

3. What does the "believer" type of person inevitably do?
(a) Thinks they are better than everyone.
(b) Annoys the company he or she is with.
(c) Maintains a faith in the improbable.
(d) Betrays friends as well as lovers.

4. What was the most damning effect of the Civil War, in regard to the South?
(a) It replaced religious values with secular ones.
(b) It destroyed the Southern aristocracy.
(c) It introduced technology into an innocent and primitive society.
(d) It created the Southern aristocracy.

5. What does Mencken NOT believe about the possibility for morality to change over time?
(a) Morality can adopt new ideas, like Christian beliefs.
(b) Morality was determined in ancient times, and has not changed.
(c) Morality evolves and grows over time.
(d) Different subsections of morality can grow over time.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Mencken believe about the universality of morality?

2. What is the "average man's" opinion of government?

3. Why is the "pretty man" hated?

4. Why might "reflective and skeptical men" refrain from suicide?

5. How does Mencken feel about the overall capacity for virtue in the human race?

(see the answer key)

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