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. Step






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






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






4. Two






5. Open - opened.






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






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






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






9. 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.






10. 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.






11. To prick






12. Turning fouetta.






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






14. 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.






15. Change of the feet in the air.






16. Dance for two.






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






18. To stretch out - make longer






19. 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.






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






21. 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.






22. To lean






23. Step in which the fotot goes in back coupa and you turn ¾ of a circle then do a grand jeta to complete the turn. Usually done in a circle or diagonal.






24. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






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






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






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






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






29. To rock - or to swing.






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






31. Raised






32. Running.






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






34. 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.






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






36. 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.






37. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






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






40. Backwards - reverse.






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






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






43. 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.






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






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






46. 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.






47. Dance for four






48. Arms






49. Borken/breaking






50. Body.