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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through 19-23.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Mencken call a man who resists the charms of women?
(a) An exceedingly wise stone statue.
(b) A most distinguished gentleman.
(c) A most rare beast indeed.
(d) A most disgusting cad.

2. What quotation did Mencken borrow from Theodore Dreiser in "Cavia Cobaya"?
(a) Does the temperate, invulnerable man ever give in to the sins of alcohol?
(b) Does the average strong, successful man confine himself to one woman?
(c) Does a woman of considerable means ever want for a man of inconsiderable means?
(d) Does a man of moderate means never aspire to great wealth?

3. What was the subject of Walt Whitman's "Democratic Vistas"?
(a) Whitman's argument that republicanism is much preferred to democracy.
(b) Whitman's desire that a class of intellectuals would rise up to rule America.
(c) Whitman's faith in the common man to rule himself.
(d) The awe-inspiring beauty of several places in America.

4. What do saints have in common with scientists?
(a) Both simply seek the truth.
(b) Both corrupt the truth to suit their best interests.
(c) Both manipulate public opinion to advance their own position.
(d) Both unselfishly serve mankind.

5. Which is one of the stated reasons the editor put the volume together?
(a) To expose the corrupt policies of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
(b) To fight charges that Mencken was racist.
(c) To sell books for profit.
(d) To introduce the works of H. L. Mencken to a new generation.

Short Answer Questions

1. Mencken provided what colorful phrase to describe a woman's body?

2. Why do the majority of people lie, according to Mencken?

3. In "Gore in the Caribees," how was Jose Miguel captured?

4. In "Pater Patriae," which was NOT one of the reasons Mencken admired George Washington?

5. What one thing did Mencken feel was useful from the contributions of Sigmund Freud?

(see the answer key)

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