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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Ballard, why does the young wife who is removed from her car after the crash resemble a "mentally defective girl" he once saw perform in a play?
(a) Because the young wife's crying sounds like the girl's singing.
(b) Because the young wife's expression looks like the girl's face.
(c) Because the young wife's legs look like the girl's pirouette.
(d) Because the young wife's wounds look like the girl's scars.

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

3. How many cars did Ballard miss before hitting the one that kills a man?
(a) Three.
(b) None.
(c) Two.
(d) One.

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

5. What is Ballard's "ironic gesture" to provoke Catherine and Renate, who don't want him to drive?
(a) Borrowing cars.
(b) Renting cars.
(c) Stealing cars.
(d) Buying cars.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Ballard goes to the garage, what does he see on a rear window sill that reminds him of his own personal possessions scattered on the floor of his car after the crash?

2. What verdict is given at the coroner's inquest of Ballard's crash with Helen and her husband?

3. As Ballard waits for someone to reassure him after the crash, what does he imagine firemen doing with carbon dioxide sprays?

4. What did Vaughan steal from Ballard ten days before Vaughan's death?

5. What is Helen wearing when Ballard sees her in the yard at Northolt station?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ballard believe Helen's motives are for making love with him at the site of the accident and what is their sex act a metaphor for?

2. What are Ballard's injuries from his crash with the man and his wife and how does he respond to them?

3. What does the prostitute Ballard hires share in common with his wife and his lover and what do they show about Ballard's character?

4. What kind of pleasure did Vaughan derive from car crashes and how is it significant?

5. What is the point of view in "Crash"?

6. Why does Ballard wear a seat belt when he crashes his car and how is it significant?

7. How does Ballard regard his accident and why is it significant?

8. What is Helen Remington doing at the impound yard when Ballard returns to survey the damage to his car and what does it show about her character?

9. How does Dr. Helen Remington react to Ballard when he tries to speak to her in the hospital corridor?

10. How is the man killed in the crash with Ballard symbolic?

(see the answer keys)

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