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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. 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.






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






3. To stretch out - make longer






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






5. Change of the feet in the air.






6. Dance for four






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






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






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






10. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






11. Behind you - movements done behind you.






12. Dance for three






13. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






14. Dance for two.






15. 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.






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






17. 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.






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






19. Two






20. 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.






21. Body.






22. 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.






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






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






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






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






27. Royal. A changement in which the calves are beaten together before the feet change position.






28. A jump from both feet onto one foot






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






30. Borken/breaking






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






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






33. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






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






36. Step






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






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






39. 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.






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






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






42. 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.






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






44. Big - large. (movements)






45. To throw about. This is a jump from either one foot or both feet. Jump up to double passe and extend out.






46. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






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






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






49. Raised






50. 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.