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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through 5-9.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Mencken state about the literary influence(s) of Theodore Dreiser?
(a) Dreiser draws upon the literary tradition of Germany.
(b) No one author can be pointed to as an influence.
(c) Dreiser was the product of Frank Norris.
(d) Dreiser was the product of Emile Zola.

2. Which is NOT one of the reasons winters were difficult in 1880s Baltimore?
(a) The cold was severe, and furnaces did not help much.
(b) Water pipes could burst.
(c) Cellars could flood.
(d) Snow caused many roofs to cave in.

3. What cheeky nickname did Mencken give Theodore Dreiser?
(a) The Frankenstein of the short story.
(b) The Clown Prince of prose.
(c) The Jack Ripper of the novel.
(d) The Hindenburg of the novel.

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

5. How was Theodore Dreiser like Joseph Conrad, according to Mencken?
(a) They both had a love of pirate adventures and the sea life.
(b) They both seemed to hate women.
(c) Both men were inherently optimistic.
(d) Both men shared an innate pessimism.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Recollections of Notable Cops," why does Mencken find the idea of a police academy remarkable?

2. In which city did Mencken grow up?

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

4. According to "Text for Newspaper Days," what is modern journalism missing?

5. In "Gore in the Caribees," what was Mencken's perspective on the revolution in Cuba?

(see the answer key)

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