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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. What becomes of the negotiations between the Notables and Escobar's negotiator for Santos and Turbay?

2. What does the guard refer to Diana as being?

3. What does the letter sent from the Extraditables to Turbay and Santos threaten if they do not receive what they want?

4. How are Pacho's guards compared to Maruja and Beatriz's guards?

5. What forms of communication do Maruja and Beatriz have from the outside world?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Beatriz is first imprisoned, the radio announces she is a physical therapist, but the guards think she is a psychotherapist. They refuse to let her write for fear that she is composing a way to make them all go mad. What does this say about the guards?

2. When the President is unable to give the families what they ask for to find their families, some of them turn to the Notables. Who are the Notables and what is their role during the abductions?

3. Who are the Ochoa brothers and describe their importance to the hostages?

4. Explain Decree 3030 and why Escobar is angry about it.

5. Describe the attempt to rescue Diana Turbay and its consequences.

6. Villamizar is running out of options and feels the only way to negotiate with Escobar is to meet him face to face. Escobar does not comply. Why doesn't Escobar want to meet with Villamizar?

7. Diana compares the negotiations of their lives to a game of chess. How do the Extraditables and the government play a form of chess involving the hostages?

8. The guards who watch over Marina, Maruja, and Beatriz are excessively strict, but in about a month, they are able to relax a little on the rules. Why do the guards start off by being strict?

9. After nearly six months as a hostage, Maruja finally sees her husband. Describe the meeting between Alberto Villamizar and Maruja.

10. Diana Turbay is one of the main hostages from the media group of six. Describe her background that shows her history and character.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Research psychological effects on hostages and how it inhibits them from escaping when the opportunity arises. Maruja and Beatriz have an opportunity but decide not to risk it. Pacho has a chance but realizes it a little too late. How do months of imprisonment convince hostages that it is easier to stay put? How does treatment from the guards affect their decision that it is too risky to escape?

Essay Topic 2

Some of the ten hostages are released before others. Write about what it is like for those that are released knowing others remain and what it is like for those that remain knowing others are released before them.

Essay Topic 3

One of the biggest issues of compromising with narcoterrorists when they take hostages is the long term effect. President Gaviria works hard to fight narcoterrorism without having to negotiate with hostage abductors. Nonetheless, he is pressured to pass Decree 303. Escobar turns himself in, but there are many other drug cartels in Colombia. Research narcoterrorism in Colombia from the 1980s to late 1990s. Consider President Gaviria's term and write about whether he succeeds in bringing down narcoterrorism. If he is successful, how does he do it? If he is not, who is?

(see the answer keys)

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