View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who tells Ballard that there is "a certain moral virtue in being materialistic"?

2. According to Ballard, why did Vaughan's former career come to an abrupt end?

3. What does Helen do when Ballard first addresses her in the hospital?

4. Who does Ballard take to the stock-car races in the stadium at Northolt?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who is with Dr. Helen Remington in the hospital and why is it significant?

3. 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?

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

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

6. Describe Ballard and Catherine's marriage and explain its relevance to the novel.

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

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

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

10. Where does Ballard take Renata after his release from the hospital and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Automobiles play a major role in the novel. Choose 2 characters and discuss their relationship to vehicles. What is their purpose in the novel and what are they a metaphor for? Make sure to define metaphor in your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

What is the role of fame in the novel?

1) How does Vaughan use his celebrity status in the novel?

2) Why is Vaughan and Seagrave obsessed with famous figures?

3) What is the connection between immortality and fame?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the treatment of women in "Crash." Provide specific examples to support your statements.

1) How would you characterize Ballard's relationship with the women in his life?

2) What roles do the women embrace and what roles do they reject and why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 802 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample