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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. Dance for two.






2. Turning fouetta.






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






4. Arms






5. Two






6. Change of the feet in the air.






7. 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.






8. Body.






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






10. 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.






11. Raised






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






13. To stretch out - make longer






14. Bent or bending. Bending of the knee or knees






15. Slow - sustained movement






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






17. To escape. From 5th to second. Feet slide and don't leave floor.






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






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






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






21. Big - large. (movements)






22. Borken/breaking






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






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






25. Leg.






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






27. 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.






28. To get bigger/ big fast movements






29. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






30. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






31. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






32. 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.






33. 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






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






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






36. Backwards - reverse.






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






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






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






40. To prick






41. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






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






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






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






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






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






47. To face hips square. Not particularly to the front.






48. 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.






49. 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.






50. Small - half bend of the knees.