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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. At Northolt station, why does Helen ask Ballard to take her to the airport?

2. According to Ballard, all who knew Vaughan accepted what about a car-crash?

3. In the hospital, what contained the "hundred histories of collision and bereavement" according to Ballard?

4. What happens to Ballard three days after his surgery in the hospital?

5. What kind of commercial did Ballard prepare that he hoped to use a well-known actress for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Karen and why is she significant?

2. How does Ballard crash his car and why is it significant?

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

4. What is the significance of the airport in "Crash"?

5. How does the wife of the man killed in the crash with Ballard react to the crash and why is it significant?

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

7. What kind of car does Ballard buy after his accident and what does it signify?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ballard details the urban landscape throughout the novel, from the car impound to the airport flyover, the abandoned lot to the parking garage. Choose 2 urban landscapes and discuss their purpose in the novel. What do they represent for the characters? How do the characters respond to these landscapes?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, sexuality is used as a means of both coercion and empowerment. Give two to three examples to support your statements.

1) Discuss the overall theme of sexuality as it pertains to identity in the novel.

2) Choose one character and discuss her/his sexuality as it evolves in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Ballard, the author, with his eponymous character.

1) What are the similarities and differences between the author and his creation?

2) Why did Ballard name his protagonist after himself?

(see the answer keys)

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