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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. "Edgard Varese" was first published in what publication?

2. What college was Cage attending when he took a course where he wrote in the manner of Gertrude Stein?

3. Who is the author of "Essay on Rime"?

4. What was the occupation of the person Cage thanks at the end of his foreword?

5. "Edgard Varese" was first published in what city?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Cage comment on in the article "Forerunners of Modern Music"?

2. In the book's Foreword, how does Cage describe the way the writings and lectures in his book are written and presented?

3. How much concern do Cage and his colleagues seem to have about how their work is perceived and received by its hearers?

4. How does Cage go about exploring the work of each composer he mentions in "Composition as Process--2: Indeterminacy"?

5. What does Cage say about finding facts on the life and work of Edgard Varese?

6. Describe the anecdote used at the conclusion of "Composition as Process--2: Indeterminacy" about Dr. Suzuki.

7. How does Cage think most people feel about experimentation?

8. What is the purpose of the section in "Composition as Process--III: Communication" where the author answers questions with more questions?

9. Why did Cage allow his creations to be called "experimental" after once resisting the title?

10. How does Cage feel about writing his article about Erik Satie, as portrayed in the article?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What reasons does Cage give for saying America has an intellectual climate suitable for radical experimentation? What does he mean when he says the country knows "nowness"? How does America being a newer country help make it a suitable place for radical experimentation? What ideas does the country tend to reject throughout its history?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the first-person perspective used in the book. How would Cage's lessons on music and art be different if they were written from a third-person perspective, like they would be in a text book? What could the reader gain from a less personal perspective? What is gained from the first-person perspective that Cage uses instead?

Essay Topic 3

What does Cage say about the way opposites define each other? What is his logic in saying this? What examples does he give to prove his point? What techniques does he use to prove his point? How does this relate to a larger ideology about Buddhism?

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