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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. At Northolt station, why does Helen ask Ballard to take her to the airport?
(a) Because she works in the immigration department.
(b) Because she likes to see the planes take off and land.
(c) Because she is taking a vacation to Spain.
(d) Because she is picking up a friend from America.

2. Where does Ballard take one of the three prostitutes to?
(a) The deserted garage of a church.
(b) The top deck of a car park.
(c) The back lot of a film studio.
(d) The driveway of a colleague's.

3. Why does Ballard visit the Northolt police pound?
(a) To see the police.
(b) To see Vaughan.
(c) To see his car.
(d) To pay a fine.

4. Why would Vaughan arrange women in stylized positions in cars?
(a) To film them.
(b) To paint them.
(c) To write about them.
(d) To photograph them.

5. According to Ballard, as he recuperates in the hospital, what does he state as the "only real experience" he had been through in years?
(a) His crash.
(b) His guilt.
(c) His affair.
(d) His fantasies.

6. On their driving excursions to look for accident sites, what does Vaughan describe to Ballard?
(a) "Countless dreams of redemption."
(b) "Countless regrets and disappointments."
(c) "Countless love affairs."
(d) "Countless imaginary disasters."

7. Who is the driver parked behind Ballard at the scene of the accident that killed Helen's husband?
(a) The doctor who performed his surgery.
(b) The doctor from Helen's room at the hospital.
(c) The firemen who pulled him out of his car.
(d) The nurse from his room at the hospital.

8. According to Ballard, Catherine's driving becomes what after his release from the hospital?
(a) Fast.
(b) Worse.
(c) Better.
(d) Slow.

9. What is the person parked behind Ballard at the scene of the accident that killed Helen's husband doing?
(a) Talking on the phone.
(b) Writing on a pad.
(c) Flashing his headlights.
(d) Taking pictures of him.

10. Who dies as the novel opens?
(a) Dr. Helen Remington.
(b) Catherine Ballard.
(c) Dr. Robert Vaughan.
(d) James Ballard.

11. Who does Ballard's wife Catherine tell him he looks like in the hospital?
(a) A murderer in an Agatha Christie mystery.
(b) A gentleman in Harrod's.
(c) A victim in Madame Tussaud's.
(d) A child out of Charles Dicken's.

12. What is Vaughan's scientific subject?
(a) Physics specialist in atom collision.
(b) Biology specialist in human reproduction.
(c) Computer specialist in traffic systems.
(d) Chemistry specialist in dark matter.

13. What does Ballard realize about his first meeting with Vaughan?
(a) That his motives for following him have everything to do with revenge and blackmail.
(b) That his motive for following him has something to do with revenge, but not blackmail.
(c) That his motives for following him have nothing to do with revenge or blackmail.
(d) That his motive for following him has something to do with blackmail, but not revenge.

14. What kind of business has Catherine started up with one of her boyfriends?
(a) A cycle-tourist charter firm.
(b) An air-tourist charter firm.
(c) A bus-tourist charter firm.
(d) A walking-tourist charter firm.

15. Who does Ballard witness an argument between in the woman's ward of the hospital?
(a) A doctor and a nurse.
(b) A patient and her sister.
(c) A sister in charge and a nurse.
(d) A sister in charge and doctor.

Short Answer Questions

1. As Ballard drives home with Catherine after being released from the hospital, how does the image of a car change for him after his accident?

2. What is the name of the park where Ballard and Catherine's apartment is located?

3. What is Ballard's "ironic gesture" to provoke Catherine and Renate, who don't want him to drive?

4. What did Vaughan rehearse for in the days before his death?

5. What pictures is Ballard's passenger looking at when they arrive at the scene of his accident that killed Helen's husband?

(see the answer keys)

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