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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Mencken, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, feel about the tradition of giving medals in the military?
(a) Medals should be given to common soldiers, and not just generals.
(b) Medals should be given on a daily basis, because every day soldiers sacrifice.
(c) Medals should be reserved just for generals, as the "idea men" of the military.
(d) Medals should be given only at the conclusion of career service.

2. In "Gore in the Caribees," what was Mencken's perspective on the revolution in Cuba?
(a) Mencken refused to cover the event, and is fired by his newspaper.
(b) Mencken was fervently pro-Cuba, and travels to the country to engage in propaganda.
(c) Mencken thought it is newsworthy, and he asks to cover it.
(d) Mencken thought the event is not newsworthy, and only reluctantly does he travel to cover it.

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

4. What did Mencken think about Woodrow Wilson's biography of George Washington?
(a) The biography had such a small print run as to be insignificant.
(b) It was poorly written and factually inaccurate.
(c) He was relieved that someone finally showed George Washington for who he really was.
(d) "Woodrow Wilson couldn't shine George Washington's shoes."

5. Which of the following could NOT be used to describe Mencken's tone in "Star-Spangled Man"?
(a) Sarcastic.
(b) Tongue-in-cheek.
(c) Hyperbolic.
(d) Sentimental.

6. What famous speech did Ralph Waldo Emerson deliver in 1837?
(a) The American Scholar.
(b) The Awfulness of War.
(c) The Pride of European Intellectualism.
(d) The Merits of Monogamy.

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

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

9. What did Mencken feel about "American thinking"?
(a) It is bold and visionary.
(b) It is cautious, yet optimistic.
(c) It is full of awesome promise.
(d) It is timid and superficial.

10. What was Mencken's nickname for Chesapeake Bay?
(a) The big blue.
(b) Crab central.
(c) The protein factory.
(d) Home of the yummy lobsters.

11. 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.

12. Which man did Mencken dub the "Star-Spangled Man"?
(a) John Pershing.
(b) George Washington.
(c) William Jennings Bryan.
(d) Woodrow Wilson.

13. Mencken provided what colorful phrase to describe a woman's body?
(a) An hourglass of horrors.
(b) A star-spangled mess.
(c) A slap-happy seal.
(d) A drunken dollar-mark.

14. What kind of presence did Henry Cabot Lodge have, according to Mencken?
(a) Lodge swore often and told dirty jokes, shocking women.
(b) Lodge was meek and soft-voiced.
(c) Lodge was powerful and authoritative.
(d) Lodge was cantankerous and given to bickering.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which was NOT a source of loud noise in the Baltimore of the 1880s, according to Mencken?

2. In which city did Mencken grow up?

3. Which was described as Mencken's earliest memory?

4. Why was Theodore Dreiser compared to Franz Schubert by Mencken?

5. What must modern religions do to "escape absurdity"?

(see the answer keys)

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