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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 happens to the young woman chauffeur of the government saloon on the Harlington clearway?

2. According to Vaughan, who has never been in a major crash so "everything lies in the future for her?"

3. According to Ballard, "It isn't sex that Vaughan is interested in, but _______."

4. Who give Vaughan a set of passkeys so that he could take cars from the airport parking lots?

5. According to Ballard, if the famous actress Vaughan obsessed over never died in a car-crash, what had Vaughan created instead?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the prostitutes Vaughan picks up begin to change in appearance and why is it significant?

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

3. How does Vaughan pose the prostitutes for his photographs and why?

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

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

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

7. 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?

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

9. Why is Ballard attracted to Gabrielle?

10. How does Vaughan begin to change as the novel progresses?

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

Discuss the point of view (POV) in "Crash." Define point of view and make sure to use specific examples from the book while addressing the following in the essay:

1) What is the point of view of the story?

2) What impact does the POV have on the story?

3) How would the story change with a different POV?

Essay Topic 3

The influence of J.G. Ballard as an avant-garde writer is well-documented. Discuss his influence within and outside of the literary community. Use secondary sources to help support your essay response.

(see the answer keys)

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