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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 13, Statesmen, Chapter 14, American Immortals.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Punishment for crime is too often what, according to Mencken?
(a) The product of poor people exerting influence over the rich.
(b) Hypocritical and dishonest.
(c) Cruel and unusual.
(d) Effective, which results in the murder of the human spirit.

2. What is the problem with trying to punishment a government for not working well?
(a) There are too many bureaucracies and it is impossible to determine who to punish.
(b) Punishing the government will lead to revenge tactics.
(c) Voting is usually rigged.
(d) The government itself is in control of the means of punishment.

3. Privately, politicians are what kind of people?
(a) Charming individuals.
(b) Lying wretches.
(c) Criminals.
(d) Exceedingly eccentric.

4. What is the proper function of punishment for crimes?
(a) As a mere incentivizing device.
(b) As a deterrent, but also more.
(c) To create a sense of false dignity in society.
(d) As a deterrent only.

5. How would George Washington fare in today's political climate?
(a) He would be bewildered by modern methods and unable to perform his duties.
(b) He would easily be elected president.
(c) He would have no chance of winning any political office.
(d) He would be arrested for corruption.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do most women think of their husbands according to Mencken?

2. What or who rules the American South?

3. What is Mencken's opinion about the variety of political systems?

4. What is the consequence of someone believing in God, according to Mencken in Chapter 1?

5. What is the subject of Chapter 7?

(see the answer key)

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