View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What grade did Cage get in a college class the first time he wrote in the manner of Gertrude Stein?

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

3. Cage says in his foreword that he has been writing articles and giving lectures for over how many years?

4. Who said there is evil in the world "to thicken the plot"?

5. Who accompanied Cage and eight children on a trip to a zoo?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In "Experimental Music: Doctrine," how does Cage respond when asked what he had to say about rhythm?

3. How does Cage answer his own question about whether music can be composed without writing it in pencil or ink?

4. Describe the story Cage retells of when his mother asked his father to go to church.

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

6. Describe what Cage said about the French and the Italians in a conversation he recalls having at a Venetian restaurant.

7. Why is each column in "Composition as Process--1: Changes" interrupted by space without words?

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

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

10. How has Cage's process of composition evolved?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Part 3, the author asks "What has been composed?" because so much is determined randomly. Why do you think Cage asks this question? Does he seem to be undermining his own work as a composer? What point is he trying to make about the relationship between creating and being random?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Explore Varese's significance in the book. How does Cage characterize Varese's work? Why does he say that he has established the present nature of music? What examples does he present to prove this statement? What does he say to claims that Varese is a figure of the past?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 809 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample