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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 11, The South, Chapter 12, History.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Mencken's hope for democracy?
(a) It will finally deliver much-needed assistance to the poor.
(b) Mencken has absolutely no hope for democracy.
(c) It may lead to monarchy someday.
(d) It is a self-limiting disease.

2. What is the consequence of someone believing in God, according to Mencken in Chapter 1?
(a) That person must ascribe all of Man's faults to God as well.
(b) That person must pray on a daily basis.
(c) That person must make offerings to his or her God.
(d) That person must be prepared to suffer eternal damnation for believing in the wrong god.

3. What kind of promises do politicians make?
(a) Ones they have no intention of fulfilling.
(b) Ones they have polled voters about.
(c) Ones they can fulfill.
(d) Ones they cannot deliver.

4. Why might "reflective and skeptical men" refrain from suicide?
(a) For the sense of humor in life.
(b) For the great women in life.
(c) For the good food in life.
(d) For the thrill of physical activity.

5. What kind of men does a democracy produce?
(a) Noble, confident men who do not envy others.
(b) Stupid men who can barely master the multiplication tables.
(c) Depressing men full of nostalgia.
(d) Energetic men with too much time on their hands.

Short Answer Questions

1. How has Mencken organized his book?

2. What does Mencken see as the problem with contemporary Protestantism?

3. Privately, politicians are what kind of people?

4. How intelligent are women according to Mencken?

5. Why is Mencken unable to embrace democratic political theory, as he himself states it in Chapter 9?

(see the answer key)

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