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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through 29-33.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why do "handsome men" deserve suspicion?
(a) They are terrible conversationalists.
(b) They are "ugly" inside.
(c) They are always self-serving and vain.
(d) The human body is inherently ugly.

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

3. What criticism did Mencken have for the effect of the Emancipation Proclamation?
(a) It only freed specific slaves, and not all slaves.
(b) It freed slaves all at once, when it should have done it in a gradual way.
(c) It directly led to the Battle of Shiloh.
(d) It freed all slaves, when to preserve peace it should have freed only some.

4. According to Mencken, what was Christianity's history with lying?
(a) Every sermon uttered by a priest is a lie.
(b) One must lie to oneself in order to adhere to religious beliefs.
(c) Lying is a great sin before God.
(d) Lying is not expressly forbidden, and is oftentimes even encouraged.

5. According to "The Skeptic," what do women always bear?
(a) The burden of caring for families.
(b) A strong sense of household finances.
(c) The strength of their religious convictions.
(d) A healthy mistrust of their husbands.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which war was General John Pershing most famously involved in?

2. What was the subject of "The Noble Experiment"?

3. How did Mencken appraise Valentino in their dinner meeting?

4. Who is the editor of this volume?

5. Which of the following could NOT be used to describe Mencken's tone in "Star-Spangled Man"?

(see the answer key)

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