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1. On the Topic of truth "Mark Twain's Notebook" had this to say, "Familiarity breeds contempt. How accurate that is. The reason we hold truth in such respect is because we have so little opportunity to get familiar with it." In his autobiography, what sardonic opinion did Twain express regarding the telling of untruths?
2. Mark Twain often functioned as a critic and could be both scathing and graphic. About a little known author he had this to say: "There is humor in Dod Grile, but for every laugh that is in his book there are five blushes, ten shudders and a vomit. The laugh is too expensive." About which well-known author did Twain express a desire "to dig (the author) up and beat (the author) over the skull with (the author's) own shin-bone"?
3. Mark Twain generally expressed opinions in a frank, direct, humorous fashion. With that in mind, which of the following opinions regarding education is NOT Twain's?
4. Writing on the topic of manners in an essay entitled "On the Decay of the Art of Lying Speech", the usually plainspoken Twain demonstrates his ability to assume a loftier tone without losing his "bite". What he has to say on the subject of manners should still allow you to distinguish Twain's quotation from those of Lord Chesterfield, Jonathan Swift and Emily Post. Which of the follow quotes is attributable to Mark Twain?
5. Have you noticed that when an author compares "man" to "animal(s)" that man usually comes out the loser? See if you can pick out which of the following man-animal comparisons Mark Twain penned. (Hint: Which one places man in the most unfavorable light?)
6. As a critic and satirist, Mark Twain could appreciate human folly. Which of the following did Twain describe as "not merely food for laughter, but an entire banquet?"
7. In "Pudd'nhead Wilson", Twain observed, "Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits." Which of the following did Mark Twain indicate was a reason to reform, or at least to pause and reflect?
8. Mark Twain lived during the era in which scientists became more trusted than clergymen. The unflattering quotations below are from Dave Barry, Madame Curie, Terry Pratchett and Mark Twain. Which one is Mark Twain's?
9. Mark Twain paid women occasional compliments. "What, Sir, would the people of the earth be without woman? They would be scarce, sir, almighty scarce," he conceded. Twain also wrote, "There is nothing comparable to the _________ of a woman. What womanly virtue was Twain recognizing in the preceding quote?
10. Mark Twain more willingly paid compliments to cats than to women. He even felt it was possible to train cats. In his notebook Twain wrote, "A cat is more intelligent than people believe, and can be taught _______. Which of the following did Twain believe cats could be taught?
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