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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. Arms






2. Open - opened.






3. To prick






4. 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.






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






6. Bourrae step - done on pointe of demi-point.






7. Sideways. Used to indicate that a step is to be made to the side - either to the right or to the left.






8. Leg.






9. Dance for four






10. 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.






11. 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.






12. A






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






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






15. 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.






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






17. Two






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






19. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






20. 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.






21. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






23. Connected movements on the points






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






25. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






27. Male dance partner to the ballerina






28. Behind you - movements done behind you.






29. Seven






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






31. 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.






32. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






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






35. Running.






36. At the neck of the foot. Wrapped around.






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






38. Flying brisa. In this brisa the dancer finishes on one foot after the beat - the other leg crossed either front or back.






39. Dance for three






40. To lean






41. Slow - sustained movement






42. Raised






43. 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.






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






45. To rock - or to swing.






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






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






48. To the front.






49. To stretch out - make longer






50. 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.