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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was Mencken's criticism for Lincoln's Gettysburg Address?
(a) It was more poetry than logic.
(b) It was full of racist remarks and innuendo.
(c) It was more about logistics and policy than stirring rhetoric.
(d) It was a slap in the face to Southern Democrats.

2. What aspect of man-woman relationships are the movies incorrect about, according to Mencken?
(a) There is no such thing as romantic love.
(b) Women always begin a romance; men are too cowardly.
(c) Men don't like to date women younger than themselves.
(d) Handsome men are not sought after by women.

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

4. Which boat captain helped Mencken while in Cuba?
(a) Ignacio.
(b) Demetrio.
(c) Menocal.
(d) Leonhard.

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

6. What did Mencken think about monogamy, as revealed in "Cavia Cobaya"?
(a) Functionally, monogamy was the same as polygamy, because everyone cheats.
(b) Monogamy stifled the natural urgings of a man.
(c) Monogamy was the laughable product of democracy.
(d) Great men aspired to and achieved it.

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

8. What profession should the truth-teller NOT aspire to, according to Mencken?
(a) A bartender.
(b) A jewelry maker.
(c) Owner of a large company.
(d) The President of the United States.

9. In "The National Letters," what was the cause of all the "diseases" which afflict America?
(a) The presumption of guilt, rather than innocence, in legal matters.
(b) The lack of a proper diet.
(c) Organized religion.
(d) The lack of a stable aristocracy.

10. What did Mencken wonder about Henry Cabot Lodge?
(a) Why he felt he must belittle everyone around him.
(b) Why he did not pick a more noble profession.
(c) Why he did not run for president.
(d) Why he thought he was so superior to everyone.

11. What is democracy's "aim," according to Mencken?
(a) To indoctrinate everyone in religious "poppycock."
(b) To protect the children of a society.
(c) To ensure great wealth for all.
(d) To pull everyone down to the same level.

12. How did Gene the magistrate handle an overzealous Methodist clergyman?
(a) Gene ruled that the clergyman was within his rights to practice in the Jewish ghetto.
(b) Gene had policemen follow the clergyman wherever he went.
(c) Gene created trumped-up charges to render him no longer a problem.
(d) Gene ruled that religion was essential to the functioning of a democracy.

13. Why did Mencken disagree with contemporary assessments of Abraham Lincoln?
(a) Critics praised him as a hero and don't question some dubious sections of his biography.
(b) Mencken believed a much broader conspiracy was in place in regards to Lincoln's assassination.
(c) Abraham Lincoln did not get nearly enough credit for freeing the slaves, according to Mencken.
(d) Critics maligned Lincoln for his handling of the Civil War, and Mencken thinks he did a fine job.

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

15. In "Gore in the Caribees," how was Jose Miguel captured?
(a) He was caught sleeping in a hammock.
(b) He was captured after a fierce battle in which he showed his courage.
(c) Jose Miguel was caught while making a terrorist bomb.
(d) Jose Miguel was caught in bed with a prostitute.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which historical figure did Mencken ridicule by stating he was known as a "plaster saint"?

2. What dominated Puritanism, according to Mencken in "The National Letters"?

3. What was the name of H. L. Mencken's brother?

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

5. Which is NOT a reason Mencken gives for admiring Theodore Dreiser?

(see the answer keys)

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