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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 had 12 tones and governed the La Domaine Musicale, according to Cage's essay on Erik Satie?

2. "Forerunners of Modern Music" was first published in what year?

3. What composer wrote "Indices"?

4. What genre of art influenced Cage?

5. What did Dr. Suzuki eat at dinner while everyone ate curries?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Cage feel about poetry, according to what he says in his Foreword?

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

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

4. What advancements in music does Cage attribute to Henry Cowell?

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

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

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

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

9. Why does the author say he is grateful to Richard K. Winslow?

10. What does Cage say about Varese in relation to the present nature of music?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

What ideas or people does Cage say inspired him as an artist? What techniques does the author use to convey to the reader that these ideas or people have inspired him? In other sections in Part 1, do you see traces of these influences?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the author's dedication to innovation and change as seen through his layout on the page. What are some of the techniques Cage uses when writing? What different visual styles does he use? Why do you think he does this? What is he trying to say with his non-traditional style of writing?

(see the answer keys)

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