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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. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






3. Running.






4. A stationary handrail that is used during ballet warm up exercises. The term also refers to the exercises that are performed at the barre - as well as that part of a ballet class that incorporates barre exercises. Much of a ballet dancer's training t






5. Dance for three






6. This jeta is done in all directions and in a circle.






7. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






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






10. Turning fouetta.






11. Step in which legs/thighs beat in the air






12. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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






15. To prick






16. Small - little






17. Jumped - jumping. When this name is added to a step - that step is done in the air.






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






19. Sating ballet slippers dancers use when dancing in sur le point.






20. To strike powerfully. An exercise in which the dancer forcefully extends the working leg from a cou-de-pied position to the front - side or back.






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






22. Body.






23. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






25. This describes certain jumps and steps - for example - jumping and landing from two feet - or a specific movement that is usually performed at the 'barre' - to stand on one leg - the other leg will then beat against it.






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






27. 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.






28. Whirl - or spin






29. Borken/breaking






30. 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.






31. Dance for four






32. A jump from both feet onto one foot






33. Slow - sustained movement






34. This term is used for a fault in which the dancer turns his or her foot in from the ankle - thereby breaking the straight line of the leg.






35. The ability to jump easily and lightly into the air. Springy - usually men.






36. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






37. To put together - to make a jump from one foot then landing on both feet.






38. Foot rises about four inches from the floor with a well-pointed toe - then slides back into the the first or fifth position.






39. To the front.






40. Two






41. Waltz step. Done with a graceful swaying body. Like a balanca but feet do not cross.






42. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






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






45. Connected movements on the points






46. Seven






47. Section that brings you to the end of a dance - its big and important.






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






49. 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.






50. Step