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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. How many months does Ani say it has been since she and Eddie have seen each other?

2. Jess is described as the "child of a" (19) what?

3. What items does Ani discover Eddie's girlfriend is about to bring to Eddie when he is still in Ani's apartment?

4. Once Eddie leaves Ani alone in her apartment, what activity does she undertake?

5. John describes his cerebral palsy as feeling like what action is taking place beneath his skin?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways does Scene Two contrast with Scene One, in terms of theme and structure?

2. What is the significance of Eddie's comment that he could hold off on the divorce papers?

3. What is the setting of Scene One?

4. What does Ani say will happen if her fingers are not kept flat upon her wheelchair pad?

5. What had been the reason for Eddie losing his last job?

6. In what ways is Scene Two similar to Scene One, in terms of theme and structure?

7. What evidence is present that indicates Eddie's previous substance abuse problems?

8. What is the symbolism of the light therapy box discussed in Scene Two?

9. What final question does John ask Jess before he offers her a job?

10. What is one theme represented within one of the three quotes within the Epigraph section?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Jess's role within the events of the play and explain how her character helps to further develop certain themes inherent in Martyna Majok’s Pulitzer Prize-winning work.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the effects of stress on the play's characters and the coping methods each character uses to deal with emotional turmoil. Which characters' methods are effective, which are ineffective, and how do these varying levels of efficiency affect the messages sent by the play?

(see the answer keys)

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