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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. Dance for two.






2. 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.






3. 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.






4. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






6. Leg.






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






8. 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.






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






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






11. 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.






12. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






14. To lean






15. To prick






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






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






18. This jeta is done in all directions and in a circle.






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






20. 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.






21. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






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






23. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






24. Slow - sustained movement






25. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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






28. Body.






29. Male dance partner to the ballerina






30. 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.






31. Seven






32. To get bigger/ big fast movements






33. 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.






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 Withdrawn.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






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






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






37. Borken/breaking






38. Running.






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






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






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






42. To rock - or to swing.






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






44. Whirl - or spin






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






46. Small - half bend of the knees.






47. 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.






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






49. 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.






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