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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. According to Urrea, why do Coyotes usually reject pesos from their walkers?

2. What failed attempt did the men make to signal for help the night after their Coyotes left?

3. What alternate plan did one of the Coyotes suggest after it became clear they were lost?

4. What city did the walkers start their walk from?

5. Why did the walkers spend more time in the desert sun than other people making the trip?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Urrea describe Reymundo Sr.'s treatment of his son?

2. How did Maradona change the Coyotes' plans at the last minute?

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

4. What disagreement emerges between Santos and Mendez?

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

6. How does Urrea explain the low quality of budget border motels?

7. What happens to the expedition led by Santos?

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

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

10. What mistake did the Coyotes make when the men arrived at the big rock?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Urrea concludes the afterword to The Devil's Highway by asking the reader, "What Would Jesus Do?" Use evidence from the text and any additional research you may need to explain the question's relevance to the events and themes of the book. Conclude by suggesting what answer or answers may be supported by the text.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Religious imagery and rhetoric abound in The Devil's Highway. Analyze how Urrea uses these devices to shape the text's tone and themes. Provide evidence from the text and any outside research you may require to analyze the connotative or symbolic aspects of the author's word choice and the impact they have on the book's message and emotional content.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 704 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample