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Ballet Basics Vocab

Subjects : performing-arts, dance
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Whirl - or spin






2. Leg.






3. To stretch out - make longer






4. Dance for four






5. To the second. Applies to legs or arms. Second position.






6. To prick






7. Inward. Indicates that the leg moves in a circular direction - counterclockewise - from the back to the front.






8. Sinking down. A term used to describe a lowering of the body made by bending the knee of the supporting leg.






9. Closed sissone. Low elevation and a quick tempo - this sissonne finishes on two feet with the working foot gliding along the floor into the demi-plia in the fifth position.






10. Under. Indicates that the working foot passes behind the supporting foot.






11. Step of the cat. Jump where legs come up to double passa.






12. To throw. A jump from one foot to the other in which the working leg is brushed into the air and appears to have been thrown.






13. Male dance partner to the ballerina






14. Fish. A position of the body in which the legs are crossed in the fifth position and held tightly together with the back arched. This pose is taken while jumping into the air.






15. Carriage of the arm. The changing of arm positions.






16. Arms






17. Carried. Refers either to a step which is traveled in the air from one spot to another.






18. The crossing of the legs with the body placed at an oblique angle to the audience.






19. Diversion - enjoyment. A suite of numbers called 'entraes -' inserted into a classic ballet. These short dances are calculated to display the talents of individuals or groups of dancers.






20. Shaded. Position in which the dancer stands at an oblique angle to the audience so that a part of the body is taken back - almost hidden from view.






21. A jump from both feet onto one foot






22. To the front.






23. Grand dance for two. Has a definite 5 parts.






24. Arms low or down. This is the dancer's 'attention.' The arms form a circle with the palms facing each other and the back edge of the hands resting on the thighs. The arms should hang quite loosely but not allowing the elbows to touch the sides.






25. Basque jump. A traveling step in which the dancer turns in the air with one foot drawn up to the knee of the other leg. Fifth position are foot front.






26. Interweaving or braiding. A step of beating in which the dancer jumps into the air and rapidly crosses the legs before and behind each other.






27. Small rise on the ball of the foot - usually in pointe shoes.






28. Term used to describe the ability of a dancer to raise and hold her extended leg en l'air.






29. Line. The outline of a dancer as she executes certain steps.






30. Whipped. A term applied to a whipping movement.






31. Turning fouetta.






32. A ballet fan or enthusiast. The word was invented in Russia in the early nineteenth century.






33. Like a bell. Refers to grand battements to the front and back sliding through first position.






34. Developing movement. A daveloppa is a movement in which the working leg is drawn up to the knee of the supporting leg and slowly extended to an open position en l'air and held there with perfect control.






35. To turn in a walk. The dancer turns slowly in place on one foot by a series of slight movements of the heel to the required side while maintaining a definite pose.






36. Raised






37. To the front. Any step in front of your body.






38. The working foot slides from the first or fifth position to the second or fourth position without lifting the toe from the ground.






39. This means to pose on one leg whilst extending the other leg to the back.






40. Chased. A step in which one foot literally chases the other foot out of its position; done in a series.






41. Small - little






42. To pose - balanced on one leg while the other leg is slightly bent at the knee - extended to either the front - side or back.






43. Step






44. Chains - links. A series of rapid turns on the points or demi-pointes done in a straight line or circle.






45. To turn in the air. A complete sing - double - or triple turn in the air; usually landing in 5th position.






46. Turning. Indicates that the body is to turn while executing a given step.






47. Slow - sustained movement






48. On the points. Rising to the tips of the toes.






49. In the shape of a cross. (Front - side - back - side)






50. A march in which two steps are taken forward on the demi-pointes and then the third step is taken flat with the supporting knee bent in fondu and the other leg raised in front.