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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 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.






2. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






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






5. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






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






8. Step






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






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






11. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






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






14. 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.






15. Backwards - reverse.






16. Big - large. (movements)






17. 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.






18. 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.






19. Arms






20. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






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






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






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






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






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






27. Open - opened.






28. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






29. Two






30. Dance for three






31. Seven






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






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






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






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






36. 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.






37. 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.






38. Dance for two.






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






40. Turning fouetta.






41. 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.






42. To prick






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






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






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






46. To get bigger/ big fast movements






47. To rock - or to swing.






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






49. 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.






50. 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.