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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. How many cars collide at the junction of the eastern descent ramp of the flyover?

2. Why does Ballard adjust the rear view mirror as he drives with Vaughan and the two airport prostitutes?

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

4. When Renata meets Ballard in the parking lot of the studio, what does she ask him about the crushed Citroen Pallas saloon car?

5. According to Ballard, aside from Vaughan's death, what is the crash that he most fears that becomes a reality on the Harlington clearway?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. Describe Catherine's fantasies about Vaughan, how they pertain to Ballard, and their impact on her and Ballard's marriage.

3. Why does Ballard begin to drive through the city in search of Vaughan?

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

5. When Ballard and Vaughan arrive at the accident site involving a minor accident, what do they discover?

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

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

9. Why is Ballard attracted to Gabrielle?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the treatment of women in "Crash." Provide specific examples to support your statements.

1) How would you characterize Ballard's relationship with the women in his life?

2) What roles do the women embrace and what roles do they reject and why?

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)

This section contains 859 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample