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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through 10-14.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why do the majority of people lie, according to Mencken?
(a) They lie for profit.
(b) They are unhappy with their lot in life.
(c) They lie for fame.
(d) They are fearful of being arrested.

2. In "The Baltimore of the Eighties," why does Mencken's mother lament about a trip to the market?
(a) A pickpocket had stolen her purse.
(b) The vendors had started charging for roe.
(c) The price of crabs had doubled.
(d) Mencken had stolen some penny candy.

3. What does Mencken make synonymous with democracy in "A Blind Spot"?
(a) Puritanism.
(b) Totalitarianism.
(c) Hedonism.
(d) Agnosticism.

4. What was the name of H. L. Mencken's brother?
(a) Charlie.
(b) Jesse.
(c) Mitch.
(d) Bud.

5. What did Gene the magistrate do with respect to an old man in his court accused of wife beating?
(a) Gene applauded the man for keeping his wife well-behaved.
(b) Gene had the court bailiff beat the man, just as he had beat his wife.
(c) Gene put him in jail for two years.
(d) Gene threatened the man with made-up punishments to get him to reform.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Mencken state about the literary influence(s) of Theodore Dreiser?

2. According to Mencken, what was Christianity's history with lying?

3. What was the "last straw" that forced Mencken to quit the organization in #16?

4. What was the subject of the first Mencken-written article that was ever published?

5. What part of Mencken's work is NOT included in the volume?

(see the answer key)

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