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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 29, Buffooneries, Chapter 30, Sententiae, Chapter 31, Appendix.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Mencken praise doctors in Chapter 16?
(a) They have wonderful gadgets that are endlessly fascinating.
(b) They do a great deal of good for poor people.
(c) A professional class like doctors can create a new American aristocracy.
(d) They are charlatans, but they know how to play the game.

2. What kind of promises do politicians make?
(a) Ones they have polled voters about.
(b) Ones they can fulfill.
(c) Ones they have no intention of fulfilling.
(d) Ones they cannot deliver.

3. Why does Mencken believe life on other planets is highly unlikely?
(a) There is a lack of carbon on most planets.
(b) God only created life on Earth.
(c) There is too much methane on most planets.
(d) Temperatures elsewhere than earth cannot sustain life.

4. What is the contemporary invention that Mencken likes most?
(a) Thermostat.
(b) Elevator.
(c) Radio.
(d) Telephone.

5. 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.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Mencken's view of contemporary psychological science?

2. Which author does Mencken believe is for "lunch-table idealists"?

3. Who does Mencken identify as the father of chiropractic?

4. What or who rules the American South?

5. Writers "who cannot write" write in what style?

(see the answer key)

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