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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. Ground to ground. Feet never leave the floor.






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






3. Two






4. Open - opened.






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






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






7. Whirl - or spin






8. Dance for two.






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 Withdrawn.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






10. To lean






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






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






13. Body.






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






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






16. Turning fouetta.






17. To the front.






18. Backwards - reverse.






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






20. Behind you - movements done behind you.






21. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






22. Carried. Refers either to a step which is traveled in the air from one spot to another.






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






24. 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.






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






26. To prick






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






28. To rock - or to swing.






29. To get bigger/ big fast movements






30. This means 'moving' the leg.






31. A stationary handrail that is used during ballet warm up exercises. The term also refers to the exercises that are performed at the barre - as well as that part of a ballet class that incorporates barre exercises. Much of a ballet dancer's training t






32. 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.






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






34. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






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






37. A






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






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






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






41. Step






42. Dance for four






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






44. 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.






45. Change of the feet in the air.






46. Big - large. (movements)






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






48. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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