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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 is the first stage of hyperthermia?

2. What physical abnormality influenced Mendez's course through the desert?

3. Which mountain range did Mendez repeatedly attempt to climb, without success?

4. Who was the "bad-toothed scrapper" (85) that joined Mendez on the walk through the Devil's Highway?

5. How did the walkers feel about the Coyote who wanted the group to change its plan?

Short Essay Questions

1. What geographical feature did Mendez get lost in, as if it were a maze?

2. What disagreement emerges between Santos and Mendez?

3. What mistake did the Coyotes make when the men arrived at the big rock?

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

5. How did getting lost affect the walkers' opinion of the human smugglers?

6. What did Mendez do to upset Rafael Temich?

7. What happens to the expedition led by Santos?

8. What failed attempt did the walkers make to save themselves the night after they were abandoned?

9. What are the toilets of budget border motels incapable of doing?

10. Why did the Cercas gang like working with brothers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When describing the activities of American border patrol agents, Urrea is careful to detail the numerous conflicting political demands the border agents must navigate. Choose two different criticisms of border patrol that Urrea presents within The Devil's Highway. Analyze the nature of each criticism and the demand it places on border patrol. Conclude by explaining what compromises or conflicts these competing demands might place on border patrol activities.

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 630 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample