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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. According to Urrea, what was the third major error that Mendez made?

2. According to Urrea, why do Coyotes usually reject pesos from their walkers?

3. What reason did the remaining two Coyotes give for leaving the group?

4. Why was Reymundo relieved his brother did not join him on the journey?

5. Which of the walkers had the most American money with him?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. In which direction did Mendez tend to veer while walking?

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. What happens to the expedition led by Santos?

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

The journey of the Wellton 26 was undertaken entirely by people identified within the text as male. Write an essay analyzing the role that gender plays in Urrea's depiction of this deadly crossing. Use evidence from the text and any outside research you may require to analyze how codes of masculinity influence the walkers' motives, belief, or behavior.

Essay Topic 3

The Devil's Highway is populated with an array of pseudonyms. Many of the people described are introduced as "John Doe" (32) and similar aliases. In some cases, aliases are all that we are ever given. Use evidence from the text, including direct statements of intent within the afterword, to interpret the significance of Urrea's decision to shroud the book's subjects in layers of anonymity and pseudonymity.

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