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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. Why do Coyotes rarely carry money, according to Urrea?

2. Who was in the last group of Coyotes that left the walkers behind?

3. What cardinal direction was the direction of death in the ancient beliefs held by some of the men from Veracruz?

4. What is the last stage of hyperthermia?

5. What "savage little maze" (113) did the men enter after Bluebird Pass?

Short Essay Questions

1. What disrupted the walkers' plans at Bluebird Pass?

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

3. What disagreement emerges between Santos and Mendez?

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

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

6. What are the initial signs of heat stress?

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

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

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

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

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

Urrea describes the actions of anti-immigration and pro-immigration activists at length within The Devil's Highway. Explore Urrea's depiction of either side in the debate, focusing on his description of their activities and motives, and the tone he achieves when describing them.

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 612 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample