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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 ask Ballard to do when they got to Earls Court?

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

3. After his accident, who does Catherine urge Ballard to see so much so that he feels that there were "lesbian overtones" to her request?

4. What is the effect on Ballard of Vaughan following him in his car?

5. What kind of alcohol does Ballard buy from the bar?

Short Essay Questions

1. What type of questions from Vaughan's questionnaire is Ballard specifically drawn to?

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

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

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

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

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

7. What kinds of photos are in the album Vaughan shows Ballard at Seagrave's house and what does Ballard notice about them?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel, obsession controls, empowers, and destroys characters in their fixation with particular people, objects, and ideas. Choose 3 characters and discuss their obsessions. In particular, what or who are they obsessed with and why? How does their obsession change them? Give examples throughout the course of the novel to support your statements.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the body as a major theme in the novel. Make sure you define theme in your discuss and use specific examples to address each of the following:

1) How does Ballard describe the human body in terms of its purpose and function?

2) Choose 3 characters and detail how their bodies are affected by violence?

3) Compare Ballard's description of the human body with the body of a car. What are their similarities and differences?

Essay Topic 3

Define and discuss the setting of "Crash," supporting your answers with examples from the text.

1) When and where is the novel set?

2) What is the relationship between the setting and the plot?

3) How do the characters respond to the setting of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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