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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. For Mencken, what is the nature of the range of the central psychological spectrum upon which all humans reside?

2. What device does Mencken call a "boon to bores"?

3. What is "one of the most valuable human possessions" according to Mencken in Chapter 16?

4. A man's taste in poetry is a reflection of what?

5. What point does Mencken make by bringing up an 84-year-old man he knew in Chapter 21?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 19, Mencken discusses science. Discuss his views of a) the scientific hypothesis, b) Charles Darwin, and c) Mr. Ayres' and his philosophy.

2. Summarize Mencken's account of the Scopes Monkey Trial and his impression of the town of Dayton, Tennessee.

3. Summarize Mencken's views on Mark Twain.

4. In an editorial dated October, 1928, Mencken discusses schoolboys. Summarize this article. What suggestions does Mencken have for improving education?

5. What opinion does Mencken render about a) Mary Baker G. Eddy and Christian Science, and b) the doctrine of theosophy?

6. Why does Mencken criticize the American Medical Association? What is his opinion of doctors as a professional class?

7. What insight does Mencken provide about physical disease/illness?

8. What is Mencken's own philosophy of psychology? What does he feel forms the basis of human psychology?

9. Summarize Mencken's view of Ludwig van Beethoven.

10. Summarize Mencken's views on William Dean Howells.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Summarize Mencken's views on women. Discuss each of the following topics:

a) Women's level of intelligence

b) Women's level of civility

c) The institution of marriage, and how it affects men and women

d) The role of beauty in man-woman relationships

e) The role of romantic love in man-woman relationships

Essay Topic 2

Describe in-depth Mencken's views of the following people:

1) William Jennings Bryan

2) Woodrow Wilson

3) Warren G. Harding

4) Thorstein Veblen

5) Calvin Coolidge

6) Oliver Wendell Holmes

Essay Topic 3

Chapter 17 is titled "Pedagogy".

1) Summarize Mencken's view of the teaching profession.

2) How does Mencken compare and contrast the teaching methods of yesteryear with contemporary methods?

3) What is the contemporary state of schoolboys? Why do they suffer?

4) What suggestions does Mencken have for improving education?

(see the answer keys)

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