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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, if the famous actress Vaughan obsessed over never died in a car-crash, what had Vaughan created instead?
(a) All the possibilities of Vaughan's death.
(b) All the possibilities of Catherine's death.
(c) All the possibilities of the actress's death.
(d) All the possibilities of Ballard's death.

2. According to Ballard, Helen was about to enter a period of what after her bereavement?
(a) Celibacy.
(b) Bliss.
(c) Promiscuity.
(d) Isolation.

3. Who wears a back brace, steel clamps and has gas bacillus scars on her kneecaps?
(a) Gabrielle.
(b) Vera.
(c) Catherine.
(d) Helen.

4. How does Vaughan position himself and Catherine in the backseat while Ballard watches them have sex?
(a) In the same posture as Vaughan and the prostitute.
(b) In the same posture as the diplomat and young woman.
(c) In the same posture as Elizabeth Taylor and her husband.
(d) In the same posture as Ballard and Helen.

5. According to Ballard, Vaughan's fixation on the sex-death fantasy he created became more frustrated in his last days with him for what reason?
(a) Because it didn't occur.
(b) Because he wanted something else to occur.
(c) Because he no longer wanted it to occur.
(d) Because it did occur.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Vaughan do as he drives past the crash at the junction of the eastern descent ramp of the flyover?

2. Why does Ballard adjust the rear view mirror as he drives with Vaughan and the two airport prostitutes?

3. Why does Helen insist that she and Ballard follow Vaughan and Seagrave to Seagrave's home?

4. According to Ballard, aside from Vaughan's death, what is the crash that he most fears that becomes a reality on the Harlington clearway?

5. How old are the "sharp-faced airport whores" Vaughan is arguing with when Ballard comes out of the bar?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ballard respond to Vaughan's request to give one of the questionnaires to Elizabeth Taylor and what does it show about his character?

2. Why doesn't Ballard intervene on Elizabeth Taylor's behalf when he knew what Vaughan was capable of attempting to hurt her?

3. What kinds of photos are in the album Vaughan shows Ballard at Seagrave's house and what does Ballard notice about them?

4. How do the prostitutes Vaughan picks up begin to change in appearance and why is it significant?

5. How does Vaughan begin to change as the novel progresses?

6. What is the purpose of Vaughan's questionnaire?

7. How does Gabrielle respond to Ballard's staring at the scars on her legs and how does Ballard interpret her response?

8. What type of questions from Vaughan's questionnaire is Ballard specifically drawn to?

9. What kinds of pictures does Ballard find in the questionnaire and what do they signify?

10. Why does Ballard begin to drive through the city in search of Vaughan?

(see the answer keys)

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