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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 is the first reason Eddie gives for wanting a job from Ani?

2. By what bad name does Ani continually call Eddie within Scene Six?

3. What color shirt does John choose after his shower?

4. What does Eddie reveal as the real impetus bringing him to Ani's door for the second time?

5. Eddie indicates to Ani that he has destroyed what items?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the theme of guilt arise within Scene Four when Eddie proposes his plan to act as Ani's caregiver?

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

3. In what ways does the music motif arise in Scene Six?

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

5. Whom does Jess call after running out of John's apartment?

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

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

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

9. Near the end of Scene Four, Ani remembers that a certain event will be occurring in three weeks. What is that event?

10. What language does Eddie use that makes it clear he still feels connected to Ani?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Martyna Marjok's message about the relationship between poverty and privilege within her play Cost of Living?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Examine the playwright’s purpose for situating the story of Cost of Living among the coldest winter months.

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