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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. In what year is it rumored that the roller coaster was condemned?

2. What does Ambrose wonder about himself when he thinks of scouting?

3. What does the narrator say Ambrose and Peter’s father never does?

4. Where does the family always stop for lunch on the way to Ocean City?

5. For what does Ambrose think there should be a button?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Ambrose’s father the first day, and what does his father have to do about it?

2. What does Ambrose do because he is so nervous about going in the Funhouse with Magda and what does the ticket woman say to Magda?

3. How does Ambrose know Magda and Peter have exited the Funhouse?

4. What did the hurricane of 1933 do to the Boardwalk?

5. Why are the prizes different on the broken machines at the arcade?

6. What is Ambrose thinking about asking Magda when they are at the pool, and what does he decide?

7. What does Magda ask Ambrose about concerning his foot, and what is his reply?

8. Who does Ambrose see in the Funhouse when he is wandering and what is that person doing?

9. What does Ambrose remember of a cigar box his Uncle Karl has?

10. What does Uncle Karl say will change the holiday for the family this year and why has this occured?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrator asks at the beginning of Lost in the Funhouse 'for whom is the funhouse fun?' Discuss, in depth, what you believe Ambrose’s response to the above question would be.

Essay Topic 2

What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven or action driven? Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why? Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character are developed to the same degree? Why or why not? What type of plot do you think Lost in the Funhouse is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about what they know, and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the story more interesting. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of John Barth. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her short stories? Why or why not? Give examples. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Barth's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the short story and discuss Barth's probable agenda concerning that idea.

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