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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. Who was El Chespiro?

2. What was the name of Don Moi's boss?

3. According to Urrea, which group would the agents at Wellton say could best describe "the real border world" (23)?

4. Why was the sign reading, "USA Prohibido!" (57) confusing to Spanish-speakers?

5. How did Nahum Landa know Reymundo Maruri?

Short Essay Questions

1. What techniques do Border Patrol signcutters use to locate walkers?

2. Who is Ken Smith?

3. According to Urrea, what was the most scandalous item provided in the survival kits that the Mexican government created for walkers?

4. What is Desolation?

5. How does the sign warning travelers in Sasabe describe the Coyotes?

6. Who is Mike F.?

7. Who were the Yuma 14?

8. Who joined Reymundo Barreda Maruri Sr. on his journey?

9. Who was the man that Border Patrol agents referred to as "Rooster Boy"?

10. What is done with the dead at the consulate building before they are prepared for burial?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The governments of the United States and Mexico both have their foundations in European colonization. How is that history reflected within the pages of The Devil's Highway? Conduct your own research to select a working definition of colonialism. Explore interactions within the text that reflect your definition of colonialism and conclude by interpreting the role colonialism plays.

Essay Topic 2

Despite writing predominately in English, Urrea employs specific Spanish terms throughout the Devil's Highway, such as "tinaja" (7) and "polleros" (60). Choose one or more Spanish terms used within the text and analyze the effect they have in establishing the book's setting and/or themes.

Essay Topic 3

Many of the central subjects in the Devil's Highway have some level of involvement with organized crime and Urrea devotes significant space to describing their culture and methods. Write an essay analyzing the cultural codes and common practices of the gangsters described within the book, using evidence from the text to explain how these codes and practices ultimately led to the death of the Yuma 14.

(see the answer keys)

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