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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. When Ballard drives home with Catherine and Vaughan in the backseat, what does he notice for the first time since his release from the hospital?

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

3. Where are Ballard, Catherine, and Vaughan when Catherine and Vaughan have sex in the backseat?

4. What does Ballard notice about the crowd that gathered at the junction of the eastern descent ramp of the flyover?

5. 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?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. What does Ballard fantasize about as he has sex with Gabrielle and what does it mean?

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

6. Who are the spectators at the accident site involving the taxi and limo and what role does the scene have in the larger story?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the uses of technology in "Crash."

1) What is the role of technology in the characters' lives?

2) How do the characters respond to and identify with technology?

3) How is technology a metaphor for evolution?

Essay Topic 2

How does J.G. Ballard use language in the novel? How would you characterize the tone and style of the language? Support your statements with examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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