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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. How did the men from Veracruz travel their first 2,000 miles northward?

2. Which of the Coyotes was first to run out of water?

3. Which Coyote wanted the group to change its plans once it became clear they were lost?

4. What size of group was considered a "magic number" for Coyotes?

5. What became of the group that left the main group with one of the Coyotes once it became clear they were lost?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are the toilets of budget border motels incapable of doing?

3. Why were officials skeptical when Mendez claimed that he planned to return for the walkers?

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

5. What are the initial signs of heat stress?

6. What form of payment did Mendez insist on receiving?

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

8. What disagreement emerges between Santos and Mendez?

9. In which direction did Mendez tend to veer while walking?

10. Why did the Border Patrol agents fail to recognize Mendez?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The main text of The Devil's Highway was published in 2004. The text of the afterword was published in 2014, allowing Urrea to reflect on the book's impact and the historical development of its subject matter. Choose one claim that Urrea makes about the trajectory of immigration politics. Use independent research and evidence from the text to support, dispute, or modify Urrea's claim.

Essay Topic 2

As the lone surviving Coyote from the trip, Mendez serves as a central figure within The Devil's Highway. Urrea offers multiple competing interpretations of Mendez's motives, behavior and personality. Choose one major event involving Mendez, comparing and contrasting the different interpretations of his behavior that Urrea offers. Conclude by suggesting which interpretation seems ultimately more convincing and stating your reasons why.

Essay Topic 3

High rates of immigration can bring demographic change, revealing ethnic tensions. Write an essay exploring Urrea's rhetoric regarding race and ethnicity, tracing the relationship between racial attitudes and immigration policy.

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This section contains 578 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample