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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 did the walkers evade the Border Patrol's drag system the first time Mendez crossed the Devil's Highway?

2. What sign of civilization did the walkers find before meeting Mike F.?

3. How did the men from Veracruz travel their first 2,000 miles northward?

4. Which Coyote wanted the group to change its plans once it became clear they were lost?

5. How many deserts were the men originally supposed to cross?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did the Border Patrol agents fail to recognize Mendez?

2. What happened to the Coyotes after they abandoned the walkers?

3. Why did Reymundo Sr. tear up his American money?

4. How did Maradona change the Coyotes' plans at the last minute?

5. What did Mendez do to upset Rafael Temich?

6. What did the walkers discuss with their Coyotes on the morning of May 21?

7. Why were officials skeptical when Mendez claimed that he planned to return for the walkers?

8. Why did Mendez tell the men to pretend that they were going to San Luis?

9. According to Urrea, what do people crossing the desert have to resort to doing "sooner or later" (126).

10. How does Urrea describe Reymundo Sr.'s treatment of his son?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Urrea uses many racial and occupational epithets over the course of The Devil's Highway, occasionally providing etymological explanations for more obscure entries. Choose three or more examples from the book, then describe their use and surrounding context. Use your findings to respond to Urrea's reflections on this practice as expressed in the afterword.

Essay Topic 2

Urrea concludes the afterword to The Devil's Highway by asking the reader, "What Would Jesus Do?" Use evidence from the text and any additional research you may need to explain the question's relevance to the events and themes of the book. Conclude by suggesting what answer or answers may be supported by the text.

Essay Topic 3

Despite being an entirely natural space, the desert of The Devil's Highway is often described in language connoting artificial, alien, or supernatural forces. Cite evidence from the text to demonstrate one of these patterns in Urrea's word choice and the context in which this rhetoric is employed. Conclude by explaining the influence these decisions have on Urrea's characterization of the desert.

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This section contains 646 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample