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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. In what year did Cage's essay on Erik Satie first appear?

2. What genre of art influenced Cage?

3. In the "Definitions" section of "Forerunners of Modern Music," what term is "sound and silence"?

4. According to Cage's essay on him, Erik Satie said who was not clumsy in his publicity?

5. What religion influenced Cage?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What happened to Cage when he and Xenia went to New York, expecting to stay with a friend named Max?

8. How does Cage describe the creation of "Music for Piano"?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Based on the three anecdotes after "Composition as Process--III: Communication," what is Cage saying about having expectations? What expectations are not being met? Does Cage seem to agree with the feelings expressed by the people in his anecdotes? How clear is his message about expectations? What techniques does he use to make his point?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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