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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 first present his lecture "45' for a Speaker"?

2. "Where Are We Going? And What Are We Doing?" was first recorded in how many parts?

3. Who asked Cage to accompany her to a party to which he was not invited?

4. In what year did Cage meet Merce Cunningham?

5. In an after-note to "Lecture on Nothing," the author recalls the way in which he convinced a sound technician that he sounded like whom?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where did Cage get the idea to write "Where Are We Going? And What Are We Doing?"

2. In the third layer of "Where Are We Going? And What Are We Doing?", what does Cage say about where "we are going"?

3. What does Cage say about silence at the end of "45' for a Speaker"?

4. What does Cage say about the form of "Where Are We Going? And What Are We Doing?"

5. What does Cage say about error in "45' for a Speaker"?

6. How is the essay "Lecture on Nothing" formatted?

7. What happened when Cage attended a party to which he was not invited and asked the hostess for rum to drink?

8. In the fourth layer of "Where Are We Going? And What Are We Doing?", what does Cage say about moving into the field of experience and being?

9. How does Cage think an evolution of music due to percussion instruments will affect dancers and choreographers?

10. How does the author think music will evolve in regard to percussion instruments?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the significance of the essay on Rauschenberg. Why do you think Cage includes a chapter about a painter in his book which mostly deals with music? What idea does Rauschenberg seem to share with Cage about art and creating it? What does it say about the author that he, as a composer, has similar ideas to a painter? What might this say about his artistic movement as a whole?

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 the author's use of philosophical ideas. When do you think it first becomes clear that the author is approaching his ideas and work from a philosophical perspective? What direct statements does he make about philosophy? At this early point in the book, what does Cage's philosophy on music seem to be? Can you sense any philosophies on life in general?

(see the answer keys)

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