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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 does the "romantic" type of person inevitably do?
(a) Makes light of serious situations.
(b) Befriends everyone they meet.
(c) Exaggerates.
(d) Betrays.

2. How does Mencken describe President Coolidge?
(a) His life was marred by continual misfortune.
(b) He was a typical American.
(c) He was an orator of great skill and emotive power.
(d) He was reserved and agnostic.

3. What is Mencken's opinion of the telephone?
(a) They are unnecessary and harmful.
(b) They are necessary, and have greatly benefited mankind.
(c) They are unnecessary, but are fun to play around with.
(d) They are necessary, but they have caused more harm than good.

4. Which is NOT one of the qualities of rich people, as described by Mencken?
(a) They buy boring, unoriginal assets.
(b) Many buy public esteem.
(c) They engage in exciting, risky ventures.
(d) They are largely swindlers.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What group of people has been "overestimated" throughout the course of human history?

2. What does Mencken believe about contemporary understanding of alcoholism?

3. What is Mencken's opinion of the belief that man has a soul, according to Chapter 1?

4. Which is NOT one of Mencken's view of humankind as expressed in Chapter 1?

5. Mencken compares Theodore Roosevelt's political ideas to which other politician's?

(see the answer key)

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