Test your basic knowledge |

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. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






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






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






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






6. Open - opened.






7. Dance for three






8. Raised






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






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






11. Body.






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






13. 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.






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






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






16. Seven






17. Connected movements on the points






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






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






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






21. To prick






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






23. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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






26. To lean






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






28. 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.






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






30. Turning fouetta.






31. To the front.






32. Step






33. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






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






36. Slow - sustained movement






37. To get bigger/ big fast movements






38. Running.






39. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






40. 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.






41. 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.






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






43. A






44. Withdrawn. A position in which the thigh is raised to the second position.






45. Dance for four






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






47. Backwards - reverse.






48. Small - little






49. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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