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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. Mencken begins Chapter 25 with a philosophical discussion of what phenomenon?

2. Which is the "most democratic" of art forms according to Mencken?

3. What does Mencken believe is the proper focus of psychology?

4. What is "one of the most valuable human possessions" according to Mencken in Chapter 16?

5. Which classical composer could not "write for the mob"?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. In Chapter 24, Mencken discusses art and literary criticism. How do critics influence artists? And what makes for the best kind of literary critics?

4. What is Mencken's opinion of the music of Johann Strauss? Why wasn't Strauss' music more well-received in America?

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

6. What insight does Mencken provide about physical disease/illness?

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

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

9. What is Mencken's opinion of the teaching profession? How does he compare and contrast teaching styles of his schoolboy days to today?

10. What memorable position does Mencken take on opera?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Mencken's view of the American South, pre-Civil War versus post-Civil War. Include defining characteristics, form of government, qualities of people, culture, wealth, and anything else you feel is relevant to the discussion.

Essay Topic 2

Describe in-depth Mencken's views of the following people:

1) Abraham Lincoln

2) George Washington

3) Ulysses S. Grant

4) Theodore Roosevelt

5) Grover Cleveland

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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