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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 does John say he will do if Jess stays and bathes him?

2. To what instrument does Ani strongly object when Eddie brings it up?

3. To whom does John refer when telling Jess that she is "not completely alone" (91)?

4. What do Ani and Eddie do together before Ani asks Eddie how it is going with his new girlfriend?

5. What does Eddie say when Ani asks him if his girlfriend knows he is asking Ani for a job?

Short Essay Questions

1. What metaphor does Eddie use to describe the state of his relationship with his girlfriend and what does he mean?

2. What is said about Eddie's girlfriend's feelings about Eddie possibly working for Ani?

3. What act does the audience watch at the start of Scene Five?

4. What does John say to Jess just before she runs out of his apartment?

5. In what way does John handle the misunderstanding between him and Jess?

6. In what way does the element of water in the play evoke qualities of intimacy and trust?

7. What conclusion could be drawn about the theme of death within Scene Seven?

8. Scene Five ends with Jess believing that she is coming back to John's later for what purpose?

9. What does staying informed about weather symbolize for Ani?

10. What is the symbolism of the coat at the end of Scene Seven?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of the play, the last set of stage directions reads that after Eddie invites Jess in again, “She takes off her hat. And takes one step inside. Toward Eddie. He takes one step toward her. Two people stand together in a fading light” (152). How does this final set of stage directions connect to the themes inherent to the play?

Essay Topic 2

Trace the characterization arc of Ani throughout the play.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of isolation with Martyna Majok’s play Cost of Living. What messages is she sending about the nature of isolation and about its costs?

(see the answer keys)

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