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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. Who was the "little fat man" (85) that joined Mendez on the walk through the Devil's Highway?

2. Who walked at the front of the party during the trek through the Devil's Highway?

3. Who was responsible for making sure the walkers had water on the Devil's Highway?

4. What time did the men say it was when they met with Mendez?

5. What asset helped Mendez maintain control of the group?

Short Essay Questions

1. What disagreement emerges between Santos and Mendez?

2. Why did the Cercas gang like working with brothers?

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

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

5. What happens to the expedition led by Santos?

6. What are the initial signs of heat stress?

7. Why did Mendez tell the men to pretend that they were going to San Luis?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The struggle of Reymundos Sr. and Jr. is given significant prominence in The Devil's Highway compared to many of the other walkers, both living and dead. Write an essay exploring how these individuals are characterized and the tone that Urrea achieves when describing them. Conclude by explaining how this characterization and tone influence the reader's perceptions of the walkers as a group.

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

The Devil's Highway is populated with an array of pseudonyms. Many of the people described are introduced as "John Doe" (32) and similar aliases. In some cases, aliases are all that we are ever given. Use evidence from the text, including direct statements of intent within the afterword, to interpret the significance of Urrea's decision to shroud the book's subjects in layers of anonymity and pseudonymity.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 645 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample