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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. What did Ambrose feel during Magda enacting her punishment?

2. What does Ambrose’s father come up with for Magda and Ambrose’s mother?

3. Why does Magda get angry at the swimming pool?

4. What does Magda pretend to ignore at the swimming pool?

5. How does Ambrose see an old man who reminds him of his grandfather?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Peter and Magda doing while Ambrose is in the Funhouse?

2. What is done in Ocean City because of U-boats and how is it done?

3. What has Ambrose realized about winning the traditional game, and at what age does he understand this tactic?

4. What does Ambrose decide is the whole point of being in Ocean City, and how does he see Ocean City when he figures this out?

5. Who is in the car with Ambrose driving to Ocean City?

6. What does the narrator say is the best thing to do when one is lost, and what is the drawback to that action?

7. What does Peter do when everyone falls to the floor, and how does Magda react to Peter’s behavior?

8. How do the people in the car pass the time during the trip?

9. What does Ambrose see in his imagination about married life?

10. What does Ambrose do hesitantly to try and find some help while lost in the funhouse?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lost in the Funhouse belongs to the short story genre. Define the literary term "genre" and name three other genres in addition to the short story genre. What are the advantages and disadvantages of assigning a genre to literature? What is the difference between a short story and a novel or a play?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss what you think are the characteristics of a successful short story and why Lost in the Funhouse is or is not a successful short story based on your criteria. Do you think the criteria for a successful short story should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all short stories.

Compare/contrast the characters of Ambrose and Peter. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Be specific and give examples. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

(see the answer keys)

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