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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 state was "The Future of Music: Credo" first printed?

2. What composer wrote "Klavierstücke XI"?

3. In what state was "Composition: To Describe the Process of Composition Used in 'Music for Piano'" first printed in English?

4. "Forerunners of Modern Music" was first published in what year?

5. "Forerunners of Modern Music" was first published in what journal?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Cage believe the future holds for sounds that are heard on a regular basis?

2. What does Cage say about Erik Satie's relevance?

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

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

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

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

7. What does Cage say about Varese in relation to the present nature of music?

8. How does Cage describe the process by which he created a piece of music scored for twelve radios?

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

10. Why does Cage format "Erik Satie" in a way where he and Satie never hear what the other is saying?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

Explore the author's dedication to innovation and change as seen through his layout on the page. What are some of the techniques Cage uses when writing? What different visual styles does he use? Why do you think he does this? What is he trying to say with his non-traditional style of writing?

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