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






2. Borken/breaking






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






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






5. 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.






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






7. 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.






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






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






10. 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.






11. Arms






12. Running.






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






14. Body.






15. Small - little






16. 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.






17. To rock - or to swing.






18. Behind you - movements done behind you.






19. 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.






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






21. Two






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






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






24. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






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






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






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






29. 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.






30. 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.






31. 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.






32. Dance for four






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






34. 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.






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






36. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






37. Backwards - reverse.






38. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






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






41. Leg.






42. To lean






43. 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.






44. (Movements) in the air

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


45. 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.






46. 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.






47. This is a term used in double (supported) work for various lifts in which the danseuse is supported by the danseur in a poisson position. He may hold her above his head in a horizontal fish dive or she may fall from a sitting position on his shoulder






48. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






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