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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 was the centenary of the Viennese Waltz not celebrated in America, according to Mencken?
(a) It is a joyous waltz, and joy was banned with Prohibition.
(b) It is too slow for Americans with short attention spans.
(c) No one dances the waltz in America.
(d) Its melody is too sophisticated for Americans.

2. What unusual stance does Mencken take in regards to disease?
(a) All diseases are beneficial, as they help to thin human populations.
(b) Some diseases actually improve lives.
(c) Religion is sufficient to address disease.
(d) Diseases should not be treated with medicine.

3. What aspect of human nature fuels the democratic system of government?
(a) Murderous violence.
(b) Charity.
(c) Envy.
(d) Grace.

4. What BEST characterizes Mencken's view of the townspeople involved in the Scopes Monkey Trial?
(a) Intelligent and probing.
(b) Secularists.
(c) Backwoods hicks.
(d) Simple but endearing.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Mencken call the most romantic American author of the nineteenth century?

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

3. Who does Mencken consider the greatest classical composer?

4. What is the contemporary invention that Mencken likes most?

5. What is the fundamental flaw of the democratic style of government?

(see the answer key)

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