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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 does Cage thank at the end of his foreword?

2. All three parts of "Composition as Process" were given in what country?

3. What grade was Cage in when his dad mentioned a trip to another country, which never happened?

4. Cage had a method for bringing about unpredictability where he tossed coins how many times?

5. When was "Experimental Music" first printed?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How did painter Willem de Kooning respond when asked what painters of the past had influenced him?

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

6. Why does Cage say that compositions indeterminate with respect to their performance are by definition experimental?

7. What does Cage say about being associated with Dadaism and Zen in his Foreword?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore Cage's desire for change and his view that most people do not want change. What type of change is he referring to? Why does he think most people are reluctant? Does he seem to understand the perspective of those who are reluctant? What would he like to see happen to regard to accepting change? Is he limiting his desire for change to art, or do you think the change he seeks is part of a bigger picture? Use examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Explore Cage's writings about Satie and Varese and compare and contrast his opinions of each one. What opinions does he have about what each man contributed to the evolution of music?: What does Cage say about the relevance of each composer? What does he seem to attribute to them? Whom does he seem to admire more?

Essay Topic 3

How does Cage compare modern dance to classic styles of dance? What do classic styles have that modern dance lacks? What balance does he say needs to be created for modern dance to work? What point is Cage making about the move to more modern ideas?

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