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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. Cage says the trouble with what city is its past?

2. In the introduction to "Four Statements on the Dance," Cage recalls seeing unhappiness in what man's face because his music was rarely performed?

3. 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?

4. "Lecture on Nothing" was written in a format where there are how many measures in each line?

5. In "Where Are We Going? And What Are We Doing?" Cage says Hidalgo has gone where?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. How did Cage come to be in possession of a coat belonging to Ms. Reis?

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

4. How does Cage say "Where Are We Going? And What Are We Doing?" should be delivered?

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

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

7. Describe the process Cage using for writing "45' for a Speaker."

8. What does Cage say on the subject of poetry in "Lecture on Nothing"?

9. What does Cage say about change in "Where Are We Going? And What Are We Doing?"

10. What does Cage say about classical ballet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of the series of anecdotes relating the perspective of various innovators in philosophy and art that only the present is important found in "History of Experimental Music in the United States"? Looking at each of the three anecdotes, what do they have in common, aside from their overall theme? In the article, does Cage ever say whether he agrees or disagrees with these sentiments? How does he seem to feel about the past and the future?

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 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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