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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which is NOT one of the features Mencken imagines for the Confederacy, had it survived the Civil War?
(a) It would have a strong aristocracy in place.
(b) It would be a more cultured place.
(c) It would never have abolished slavery.
(d) It would be a wealthier place.

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

3. Mencken sees that too often any discussion of suicide is rooted in what incorrect notion?
(a) Death is painful.
(b) Death is painless.
(c) Killing oneself is an expensive proposition.
(d) The family would suffer in a suicide.

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

5. In Chapter 7, Mencken notes that there are too few books written about what subject?
(a) Taxes.
(b) Death.
(c) True crime.
(d) Women.

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

7. Why did England experience particular difficulties in World War I according to Mencken?
(a) It made secret pacts it could not honor.
(b) It took the wrong side.
(c) It ran out of money.
(d) It ignored the psychological aspect of warfare.

8. How intelligent are women according to Mencken?
(a) They are usually much more intelligent than men.
(b) They pretend to be dumb, but are in fact quite intelligent.
(c) They pretend to be intelligent, but deep down are quite stupid.
(d) They are completely stupid in thought and deed.

9. What is Mencken's opinion of original Christians?
(a) The historical record is so poor that Mencken cannot form an opinion.
(b) They were "men's men" and should be looked upon as examples.
(c) They were vulgar cads without imagination.
(d) They were patriots, akin to the Founding Fathers.

10. What do most women think of their husbands according to Mencken?
(a) Women pity their husbands and consider them asses.
(b) Women are indifferent to their husbands and use them as mere tools.
(c) Women love and respect their husbands.
(d) Women fear and loathe their husbands.

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

12. What aspect of Lincoln's historical persona does Mencken doubt, or at least question?
(a) His reputation for being a great orator.
(b) His status as an outsider and a "dark horse."
(c) His pragmatic, practical approach to political problems.
(d) His adherence to Christianity.

13. What is the fundamental flaw of the democratic style of government?
(a) Over time, democracy resembles monarchy.
(b) Voting systems can never be 100% accurate.
(c) The people are not competent to govern themselves.
(d) There are simply too many intelligent people to decide between.

14. What is Mencken's belief about crime?
(a) Crime is primarily a legal invention.
(b) Crime is impossible in aristocratic circles.
(c) Crime is primarily a product of capitalist society.
(d) Crime is primarily a social invention.

15. What is the relationship between Anglo-Saxons and civilization?
(a) Anglo-Saxons are the least civilized of all white people.
(b) Anglo-Saxons created civilization, and are its last bastion of hope.
(c) Anglo-Saxons are the most civilized of all white people.
(d) Anglo-Saxons choose to live outside civilization because they are morally superior.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is the "pretty man" hated?

2. Who rules American culture, according to Chapter 10?

3. What "call" does Mencken make to America's poets in Chapter 7?

4. What does Mencken believe about the concept of evil?

5. What is the problem with trying to punishment a government for not working well?

(see the answer keys)

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