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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. "The Future of Music: Credo" was first printed to accompany a recording from whom?

2. "Music of Changes" was originally written for what instrument?

3. Cage and his wife moved to New York from where?

4. According to Cage, it would be act of charity for people to do what when they come across Erik Satie's records?

5. How long had Erik Satie been dead when Cage wrote an essay about him?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. How does Cage describe the way Christian Wolff wrote music?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the author's feelings on the nature of sound. What does Cage say about sound in "Experimental Music: Doctrine"? What does he say about the nature of sound? What does he say about interpreting it?

Essay Topic 2

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 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?

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