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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through 35-39.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was unique to the American psyche according to Mencken in "Libido for the Ugly"?
(a) A tendency to be rude and loud during movie screenings.
(b) An obsession with staying thin.
(c) A queer fascination with ugliness.
(d) Sexual arousal when viewing art objects.

2. What problem did Mencken have with Justice Holmes' final court case?
(a) Holmes delivered an hour-long, and completely unnecessary, speech when rendering his verdict.
(b) The case was a clear violation of freedom from double jeopardy.
(c) The case violated the writ of Habeus Corpus.
(d) The case involved a tainted jury pool.

3. In what way did Mencken mock General John Pershing?
(a) Mencken brought to light the existence of Pershing's mistress.
(b) Mencken felt the vast amount of medals pinned to Pershing's uniform makes the man look ridiculous.
(c) Mencken mocked Pershing for a recent bumbling speech.
(d) Mencken made fun of a recent photograph of Pershing wrapped in an American flag.

4. What did Mencken conclude in his examination of rulings in "Mr. Justice Holmes"?
(a) Mencken slyly suggests Holmes should tuck chickens under his arms because of his chicken-like cowardice.
(b) Justice Holmes ruled too often for rabble-rousers, and not often enough for the aristocracy.
(c) Justice Holmes ruled too often in favor of the powers that be, rather than the people.
(d) Justice Holmes rendered fantastically bizarre rulings, and should be impeached.

5. In "The Good Man," what general statement did Mencken make about mankind?
(a) Man is not perfect, and any strengths are balanced by flaws.
(b) Men are good and kind, and almost always do the right thing.
(c) Men are not predisposed to appreciate art, and often must be forced.
(d) Men are gluttonous, and must continually fight the urge to eat.

Short Answer Questions

1. What aspect of man-woman relationships are the movies incorrect about, according to Mencken?

2. Which was NOT a reason Mencken used in his assessment that houses are ugly in "The Libido for the Ugly"?

3. What stance can Mencken be said to have taken in "Star-Spangled Man"?

4. In "Travail," how did the boys going to school in the morning seem to Mencken?

5. According to "Quid Est Veritas?," what kind of religion professes to know God exactly and completely?

(see the answer key)

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