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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. According to Mencken, how will "anyone who appreciates aural beauty" regard opera?
(a) Beautiful.
(b) Inspirational.
(c) Obnoxious.
(d) Absurd.

3. What is Mencken's view of contemporary psychological science?
(a) The field is complete quackery.
(b) The field is poorly funded, and suffers because of it.
(c) The field is surprisingly neat and orderly, with little disagreement between schools..
(d) The field is in chaos, with widely conflicting views.

4. What is "one of the most valuable human possessions" according to Mencken in Chapter 16?
(a) The ability to do simple math.
(b) Dignity.
(c) The reputation of being rich.
(d) Spatial awareness.

5. What two types of rich people does Mencken see in America?
(a) Slave masters and slaves.
(b) Money wasters and those who purchase public esteem.
(c) Noble heroes and wicked villains.
(d) Investors in real estate and investors in bonds.

6. What is the crux of Mr. Ayres' philosophical argument that Mencken criticizes?
(a) Causality is an illusion.
(b) Evolution is a hoax.
(c) Science cannot account for morality.
(d) Language determines behavior and thought patterns.

7. Which is NOT one of the features of the typical school day, as envisioned by Mencken?
(a) For stimulation, schoolboys try to talk to other schoolboys and only get punished for it.
(b) Learning is a largely automatic process.
(c) The school day is boring and sad.
(d) Schoolboys deal with adults (teachers) they have great respect for.

8. Sister Aimee was an evangelist in what branch of Christian religion?
(a) Baptist.
(b) Catholic.
(c) Scientologist.
(d) Methodist.

9. Who wrote Sextet for Strings, Opus 18, which Mencken greatly praises?
(a) Beethoven.
(b) Strauss.
(c) Wagner.
(d) Brahms.

10. Who was the attorney on the side of the defense in the Scopes Monkey Trial?
(a) Clarence Darrow.
(b) Anthony Still.
(c) Theodore Veblen.
(d) William Jennings Bryan.

11. What does Mencken believe about physical punishment in education?
(a) He believes physical punishment should have a regular place in the schedule of a school day.
(b) He believes physical punishment should be an option given to teachers.
(c) He believes there is no place for physical punishment in school.
(d) He believes only parents should be called upon to physically discipline their children.

12. A man's taste in poetry is a reflection of what?
(a) His love of life.
(b) His sense of romance.
(c) His intelligence.
(d) His inner cravings.

13. Who was the attorney on the side of the prosecution in the Scopes Monkey Trial?
(a) William Jennings Bryan.
(b) Andrew Still.
(c) Clarence Darrow.
(d) Theodore Veblen.

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

15. What American book does Mencken call one of history's great masterpieces?
(a) The House of Mirth.
(b) Last of the Mohicans.
(c) Huckleberry Finn.
(d) The Scarlet Letter.

Short Answer Questions

1. What central critique does Mencken have for teachers of his day?

2. Which contemporary author does Mencken compare to Edgar Allan Poe because of his taste for the macabre?

3. For Mencken, what is the nature of the range of the central psychological spectrum upon which all humans reside?

4. Why does Mencken criticize the American Medical Association?

5. Why was the centenary of the Viennese Waltz not celebrated in America, according to Mencken?

(see the answer keys)

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