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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 6.1 | Chapter 6.2.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Mencken claims that Noah Webster contains less of the scientific inquirer and more of what?
(a) The teacher.
(b) The philological traditionalist.
(c) The erudite fool.
(d) The father.

2. According to Mencken, what did the first generations born in the New World value as a virtue over enterprise and resourcefulness?
(a) Ingenuity.
(b) Niceness.
(c) Temperance.
(d) Courage.

3. From what language does the English word "moose" come?
(a) Algonquin.
(b) Cherokee.
(c) Italian.
(d) English.

4. According to Mencken, democratic government is essentially government by whom?
(a) Politicians.
(b) Businessmen.
(c) Amateurs.
(d) The working class.

5. Which of the following was not used as a substitute for the once indecent term, for highly refined ears, "bull"?
(a) Cow-creature.
(b) Gentleman-cow.
(c) Standing-cow.
(d) Male-cow.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which Founding Father coined the term "to belittle"?

2. What country's works dominated the reading habits of the American colonists in the latter 18th century?

3. Which defender of Americanisms cited by Mencken in Chapter 1.3 states that "Language is made by the people"?

4. What word did Webster argue should have its vowel sound changed to "ee" instead of "eh"?

5. What does Mencken state is neglected by those who are professional trained to investigate it?

(see the answer key)

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