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






2. Seven






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






4. 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.






5. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






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






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






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






10. 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.






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






12. To rock - or to swing.






13. Male dance partner to the ballerina






14. Raised






15. To lean






16. Borken/breaking






17. 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.






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






19. Ground to ground. Feet never leave the floor.






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






21. 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.






22. Running.






23. Dance for two.






24. 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.






25. To glide. A traveling step executed by gliding the working foot from the fifth position in the required direction - the other foot closing to it.






26. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






27. Pas de bourra - running. This is a progression on the points or demi-pointes by a series of small - even steps with the feet close together. It may be done in all directions or in a circle.






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






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






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






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






32. 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.






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






34. 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






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






36. 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.






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






38. Step






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






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






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






42. Slow - sustained movement






43. A






44. 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.






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






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






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






48. Backwards - reverse.






49. Dance for four






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