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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 negative effects Mencken mentions in regards to Prohibition?
(a) Undermining of state revenues.
(b) More expensive alcohol.
(c) Only the poor have access to alcohol.
(d) Proliferation of bootleggers.

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

3. How do bad artists hide their shortcomings?
(a) By creating overblown interpretations of their art.
(b) By showing their art to only a select, friendly few.
(c) By coming up with new formulas for art.
(d) Bad artists are unable to hide their shortcomings; they are always found out.

4. What is the second-worst job in the world, according to Chapter 17?
(a) Policeman.
(b) Priest.
(c) Writer.
(d) Market vendor.

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

6. In "Utopian Flights," how does Mencken believe legislators should be chosen?
(a) By a simple popular vote.
(b) By a committee of intellectuals.
(c) At random, not unlike jurors.
(d) By the elected president.

7. Mencken sees authors as divided into which two classes?
(a) Sly and Overt.
(b) Dramatic and Comedic.
(c) American and Foreign.
(d) English and Continental.

8. Who does Mencken identify as the founder of Christian Science?
(a) Sister Aimee.
(b) Anthony Comstock.
(c) Theodore Veblen.
(d) Mary Baker G. Eddy.

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

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

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

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

13. What does Mencken believe about Freudianism?
(a) It is complete quackery.
(b) It makes several valid points.
(c) It it in no way truly reflects the brilliance of Sigmund Freud.
(d) It goes further to explain the human mind than anything before it.

14. What is the worst job in the world, according to Chapter 17?
(a) Teacher.
(b) Writer.
(c) Plumber.
(d) Chiropractor.

15. Who wrote the Viennese Waltz?
(a) Beethoven.
(b) Strauss.
(c) Schubert.
(d) Brahms.

Short Answer Questions

1. Sister Aimee was an evangelist in what branch of Christian religion?

2. What is the crux of Mr. Ayres' philosophical argument that Mencken criticizes?

3. What unusual stance does Mencken take in regards to disease?

4. Where did Mencken meet Sister Aimee?

5. Why does Mencken criticize the American Medical Association?

(see the answer keys)

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