2. In Chapter Three: "The Men of Hephaistos," how do mine owners and bosses respond when miners express concerns about working conditions in the San José Mine?

3. In Chapter Six: August 10-21: “Drilling Blind,” what does Kelvin Brown describe as the prevailing mood among the families at the campsite?

4. In Chapter Six: August 10-21: “Drilling Blind," what was the primary concern of the trapped miners as their food ration dwindled?

5. In Chapter Three: "The Men of Hephaistos," why does the San José Mine reopen in 2008 after being shut down in 2007?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter Four: August 5–8: “Murderers,” what challenges do the miners face in obtaining water underground?

2. In Chapter Two: "Of Earth and Cold," discuss the challenges miners face when working deep underground, as described in the chapter. What motivates individuals to pursue this profession despite the inherent risks?

3. In Chapter Two: "Of Earth and Cold," how do the events in the San José Mine capture the attention of the world, and what diverse groups and experts become involved in the unfolding story? What does this suggest about the broader significance of the incident?

4. In Chapter Three: "The Men of Hephaistos," the economic and social pressures drive miners to work in challenging and sometimes perilous conditions. Discuss the economic factors that motivate individuals to become miners and the social dynamics that influence their choices.

5. In Chapter Six: August 10-21: “Drilling Blind,” who is Kelvin Brown, and what is his mission at the mine?

6. In Chapter Five: August 8–10: “Hope,” what is the central theme of this chapter, and how is it depicted through the actions and emotions of the families and miners?

7. In Chapter One: "August 5-6," describe the events that unfold in the Chilean copper mine as Raul Villegas drives his truck underground. What are the initial signs of trouble, and how does Villegas react?

8. In Chapter Three: "The Men of Hephaistos," foreshadowing is a literary device used in the chapter. Provide examples of foreshadowing from the text and analyze how these instances contribute to creating suspense and anticipation among readers.

9. In Chapter Four: August 5–8: “Murderers,” how does Luis Urzúa try to maintain unity and cooperation among the trapped miners?

10. In Chapter Six: August 10-21: “Drilling Blind," what similar mining accident is mentioned in the chapter, and how does it relate to the situation of the Chilean miners?