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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 9.10.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which defender of Americanisms cited by Mencken in Chapter 1.3 states that "Language is made by the people"?
(a) William Archer.
(b) George Ade.
(c) Richard Aldington.
(d) Edgar Jepson.

2. Which London newspaper lamented the "menace" that American movies offer to the purity of the English language?
(a) The <i>Daily News</i>.
(b) The <i>Times</i>.
(c) The <i>Illustrated London News</i>.
(d) The <i>Daily Herald</i>.

3. Whose clarity of prevision does Mencken praise in the opening of Chapter 1.1?
(a) Franklin.
(b) Jefferson.
(c) Waldo.
(d) Madison.

4. How does Mencken characterize the vulgar American habitual use of the double negative?
(a) With "happy fecundity."
(b) With "sturdy fidelity."
(c) With "periodic intensity."
(d) With "unconscious loathing."

5. What spelling change is made from English to American in words such as "connection"?
(a) Connexion to connection.
(b) Conexion to connection.
(c) Conection to connection.
(d) Connectin to connection.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is frequently omitted in phrases indicated desire or intent, as indicated in Chapter 9.9?

2. Whom does Mencken use to exemplify the flouting of linguistic purity in Chapter 6.1?

3. What sound did Webster object to inserting in words such as "gradual" and "nature," before the "u"?

4. To what country does the English correspondent in Chapter 4.5 ascribe many American expletives?

5. According to Mencken, democratic government is essentially government by whom?

(see the answer key)

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