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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Mencken believe is the proper focus of psychology?
(a) The study of mob mentality.
(b) The study of psychological differences between people from various trades or types.
(c) The origins of lying.
(d) The study of physical deformity (such as injury) on the mind.

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

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

4. Who does Mencken identify as the father of chiropractic?
(a) John Ayres.
(b) William Carlos Williams.
(c) Andrew Still.
(d) Charles Joseph Bonaparte.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. What two types of poetry does Mencken believe are the only viable ones?

4. Who wrote Sextet for Strings, Opus 18, which Mencken greatly praises?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Mencken criticize the American Medical Association? What is his opinion of doctors as a professional class?

2. Summarize Mencken's views on Mark Twain.

3. Why does Mencken make mention of Sister Aimee? Who was Sister Aimee, and what was Mencken's opinion of her?

4. In an editorial dated October, 1928, Mencken discusses schoolboys. Summarize this article. What suggestions does Mencken have for improving education?

5. Summarize Mencken's account of a Jack Dempsey boxing match.

6. What is Mencken's opinion of Prohibition? What was its effect on society?

7. Summarize Mencken's views on William Dean Howells.

8. Summarize Mencken's views on inspiration, as recounted in Chapter 25.

9. Why does Mencken make mention of Charles Joseph Bonaparte? Who was Bonaparte, and what was Mencken's opinion of him?

10. Summarize Mencken's view of Ludwig van Beethoven.

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