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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. In Chapter Four: August 5–8: “Murderers,” what is the main focus of concern among the miners and their families?

2. In Chapter Four: August 5–8: “Murderers,” what is the primary goal the miners work toward together during their ordeal?

3. In Chapter Six: August 10-21: “Drilling Blind,” what challenges does Kelvin Brown face in the early days of the rescue efforts?

4. In ancient myths, what role did the blacksmith god (e.g., Hephaistos or Vulcan) typically play?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In Chapter One: "August 5-6," how do Villegas's superiors and colleagues respond to his reports of the strange events in the mine? What actions do they take, and what does this reveal about their initial perceptions of the situation?

3. In Chapter Six: August 10-21: “Drilling Blind,” how does the presence of Kelvin Brown affect the families at the campsite?

4. In Chapter Five: August 8–10: “Hope,” how does Minister Golborne manage the dual responsibilities of overseeing the rescue efforts and addressing the emotional needs of the community?

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

6. In Chapter Four: August 5–8: “Murderers,” who are the key figures involved in the rescue efforts?

7. 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?

8. In Chapter Two: "Of Earth and Cold," describe how the Andes Mountains and the Nazca Plate have shaped the climate and environment along the Pacific coast of South America, particularly leading to the arid conditions in the Atacama Desert.

9. In Chapter Three: "The Men of Hephaistos,", the author discusses the concept of "the magic of the metalsmiths" (36) and the invention of bronze. How does this historical context relate to the theme of mining in the chapter, and how does it emphasize the significance of mining in human history?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the lessons that can be drawn from the events of the San José Mine collapse in terms of workplace safety and disaster preparedness.

Essay Topic 2

In Part One: Copiapo, Chile: Above and Below: AUGUST 5–22, 2010, Chapter One: "August 5-6," analyze how the author uses foreshadowing in the passage to create a sense of impending disaster. What literary techniques contribute to the suspense?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the theme of resilience in the context of the miners' ordeal. How did their physical and emotional resilience contribute to their survival

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