View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. What year did the New Deal programs begin?
(a) 1939.
(b) 1919.
(c) 1945.
(d) 1933.

4. How does Mencken characterize the emotional state of most schoolboys?
(a) They are very sad.
(b) They are eager to learn and curious.
(c) They are happy.
(d) They are murderously violent.

5. Who does Mencken consider the greatest classical composer?
(a) Schubert.
(b) Brahms.
(c) Mozart.
(d) Beethoven.

6. Mencken reports on a boxing with which famed boxer?
(a) Gene Tunney.
(b) Gunboat Smith.
(c) Fireman Jim Flynn.
(d) Jack Dempsey.

7. Who wrote Parsifal?
(a) Wagner.
(b) Strauss.
(c) Schubert.
(d) Beethoven.

8. What word might Mencken use to characterize Mary Baker G. Eddy?
(a) Necessary.
(b) Fraud.
(c) Intellectual.
(d) Saint.

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

10. How do rich people "buy public esteem" according to Mencken?
(a) They buy newspaper ads praising themselves.
(b) They donate to charities and to the arts.
(c) They are especially generous to panhandlers.
(d) They make generous contributions to political campaigns.

11. Which is the "most democratic" of art forms according to Mencken?
(a) Poetry.
(b) Sculpture.
(c) Music.
(d) Drama.

12. 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.

13. What quality makes for the best literary critic, according to Chapter 24?
(a) Advancing a personal agenda or doctrine.
(b) The goal to create a work of art.
(c) Accuracy and a need to refute error.
(d) Adhering to a specific philosophical system.

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

15. What is NOT one of the qualities of being a teacher according to Mencken?
(a) Being able to breeze through lessons and cut corners.
(b) Being underpaid.
(c) Wearing oneself out to achieve the impossible.
(d) Having no respect.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the second-worst job in the world, according to Chapter 17?

2. What does Mencken say about the nature of scientific hypotheses?

3. What point does Mencken make by bringing up an 84-year-old man he knew in Chapter 21?

4. Mencken has what criticism for "new poets"?

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 588 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample