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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. What does Vaughan pick up that has been left by the police at an accident sight?

2. After the simulated crash with the family of four and the motorcycle at the Road Research Laboratory, what does Vaughan tell Ballard he's always wanted to do?

3. At the Road Research Laboratory, who does Helen stare at "almost as if they were patients whom she hoped to treat"?

4. According to Ballard, what left an "archipelago of pockmarks" across Vaughan's neck?

5. Whose body does Ballard visualize injured in a series of accidents at various stages of her life?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. At Seagrave's, what does Ballard deduce about Vaughan's photographs of Elizabeth Taylor and provides insight into why Vaughan followed Ballard?

3. What is Ballard's response to Catherine sleeping with Vaughan?

4. What do Ballard and Vaughan do after they pick up two prostitutes and why is it relevant to the larger story?

5. 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?

6. Where do Catherine and Vaughan have sex and why is it significant?

7. What does Ballard think of when he introduces Catherine to Vaughan and why is it relevant?

8. Why is Ballard attracted to Gabrielle?

9. What is Elizabeth Taylor shooting at the studio where Ballard works and how is it significant?

10. Why is Seagrave's disappearance important to the plot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Identify and discuss the plot and subplot of "Crash." Make sure you define the terms in your essay response.

1) What is the conflict of the novel?

2) What is the climax of the novel?

3) What is the novel's resolution?

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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