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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. Who dies as the novel opens?

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

3. 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?

4. On their driving excursions to look for accident sites, what does Vaughan describe to Ballard?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

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

5. Who is Karen and why is she significant?

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

7. Why doesn't Catherine attend the funeral for Dr. Helen Remington's husband and what does it show about her character?

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

9. What dominates Ballard's thoughts as he recovers in the hospital and why is it significant?

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Compare Vaughan and Ballard as characters. Define their major character traits and discuss their similarities and differences. What is the nature of their relationship? Is Vaughan or Ballard the hero of the novel? Give examples of each character to help support your statements.

(see the answer keys)

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