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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Mencken's central critique for socialism?

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

3. What is Mencken's view of chiropractors?

4. Who was the father of the American short story?

5. A man's taste in poetry is a reflection of what?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What opinion does Mencken render about a) Mary Baker G. Eddy and Christian Science, and b) the doctrine of theosophy?

4. What memorable position does Mencken take on opera?

5. In Chapter 19, Mencken discusses science. Discuss his views of a) the scientific hypothesis, b) Charles Darwin, and c) Mr. Ayres' and his philosophy.

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

7. Summarize Mencken's account of the Scopes Monkey Trial and his impression of the town of Dayton, Tennessee.

8. Describe the following under the category of what Mencken calls "'The Lesser Arts": a) oil painting, b) drama.

9. What is Mencken's belief about American millionaires?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapters 19 and 20 discuss Science and Quackery, respectively.

1) What is Mencken's belief about life on other planets? How have contemporary astronomers made an error on the subject?

2) What criticism does Mencken have about "Mr. Ayres"'s view on science, and how does this criticism relate to Mencken's own view of human nature?

3) What kind of science constitutes "quackery" in Mencken's opinion? How can "real" science be separated from "quack" science? How might Mencken account for the prevalence of quackery?

4) Give a few examples of quack science, as related by Mencken in Chapter 20.

Essay Topic 2

Summarize Mencken's views on women. Discuss each of the following topics:

a) Women's level of intelligence

b) Women's level of civility

c) The institution of marriage, and how it affects men and women

d) The role of beauty in man-woman relationships

e) The role of romantic love in man-woman relationships

Essay Topic 3

Chapter 17 is titled "Pedagogy".

1) Summarize Mencken's view of the teaching profession.

2) How does Mencken compare and contrast the teaching methods of yesteryear with contemporary methods?

3) What is the contemporary state of schoolboys? Why do they suffer?

4) What suggestions does Mencken have for improving education?

(see the answer keys)

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