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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 unites the trapped miners and helps maintain a sense of collective purpose?

2. In Chapter One: "August 5-6," what is the profession of the central figure in the chapter, Raul Villegas?

3. In Chapter Two: "Of Earth and Cold," what type of geological formation is the Nazca Plate in relation to the continent?

4. In Chapter Four: August 5–8: “Murderers,” what is the significance of the El Teniente experts, Andre Sougarret and René Aguilar?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

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

5. In Chapter Five: August 8–10: “Hope,” how does the chapter explore the psychological impact of being trapped underground, and what strategies do the miners employ to maintain their unity and hope?

6. 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?

7. 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?

8. In Chapter One: "August 5-6," describe the efforts of the rescue team that follow Raul Villegas's path into the mine. What are their objectives, and what challenges do they face during their mission?

9. In Chapter Four: August 5–8: “Murderers,” what is the condition inside the shelter where the miners are trapped?

10. 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.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the portrayal of the Chilean government's response to the crisis. How did political and bureaucratic factors influence the rescue operation?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the portrayal of the families waiting at the surface. How did they cope with uncertainty, and what emotional toll did it take on them?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze how the use of modern technology, particularly the cell phone with a projector, provided a sense of connectivity and normalcy to the trapped miners in the San José Mine.

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