Test your basic knowledge |

Dance Basics

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. If a ballet step such as grand battement is performed en croix - this means






2. A position of the body in space - such as curved - straight - angular - twisted - symmetrical - asymmetrical - etc.






3. Modern jazz style that emphasizes agility in all areas






4. In Laban's theory of effort (sometimes called movement dynamics) - which of the following qualities is not a dimension of effort?






5. The action of over-straightening a joint past its natural angle - or the action of increasing the angle between two levers to more than 180 degrees






6. Combination: sustained time/direct space/strong weight






7. He was a broadway/hollywood hoofer and actor who ushered in the tap revival of the 1980s






8. To set side by side to emphasize difference in dance - two movements that differ in energy - space - (size - direction - level) - design (symmetrical/asymmetrical - open/closed) - timing (fast/slow - even -uneven - themes or patterns.






9. The original movement is the question and the new movement is the answer






10. He was a star dancer with and controversial choerographer for Ballets Russes






11. Which of the following societal changes has probably had the least impact on the variety of dance styles that are performed in the US today?






12. Of the following types of social dance listed below - which does not involve partnering?






13. The action of turning a ball-and-socket joint; circular movement around a central axis






14. Dance performed in a social setting; traditionally referred to as ballroom - but includes all popular social dances performed with or without partners






15. All performers begin at the same time but at different starting points within the same phrase






16. These denishawn students produced the first modern dance performance and established the humphrey technique






17. Dance associated with a nationalistic purpose - usually performed today as surviving portion of a traditional celebration and done for social gatherings or as recreation






18. Placing the entire foot on the floor without a weight change






19. The original french form of classical ballet from Russia






20. Movement anchored to one spot by a pody part. Only the available space in any direction is used while the initial body contact is being maintained. Movement is organized around the axis of the body and is not designed to travel from one location to a






21. This is the dynamic hitting of a positions






22. Nonliteral choreography may have all but which of the following goals






23. These include pirouette and fouette turns - in which the dancer remains in one place on the floor






24. Is the degree of the force of body weight introduced into a movement






25. Combination: sudden time/indirect space/strong weight






26. Phrasing may be determined by all but which of the following






27. A choreographer asks four dancers to perform different movements simultaneously. This is called a






28. Leaving the ground and landing on the same foot






29. Placing the ball of the foot on the floor with a weight change






30. Multiple performers perform the movement in the same way at the same time






31. Modern dance technique that involves a dramatic contraction and release - emphasizes weight moving into the floor and a spiral image for off-center or off-balance movement






32. Which of the following dance steps is most advanced? plie - degage - entrechat - tendu






33. Large jumps or leaps Which move the dancer across the floor - such as grandes jetes or tours jetes






34. What is the primary muscle that is stretched by reaching forward from a seated position and bending the upper torso as close to the floor as possible - while the legs are extended to the sides at roughly a 150 degree angle (straddle stretch)?






35. He established the first ballet school in France in the 1600s






36. Placing an accent on a normally weak beat






37. Late modern dance technique that draws from everyday gestures and movements such as sitting - crawling - rolling - walking - and running.






38. This is the speed at Which music is played.






39. Which of the following two muscles are used for flexion in dance?






40. The movement is performed using a different body part






41. Observers would be unlikely to see contractions - releases - and isolations in which of the following dance forms?






42. They codified many standard ballet rules still used today






43. The ability of the dancer to present their body with confidence and the required energy to communicate movements clearly to an audience.






44. More is added to the original movement






45. Widespread hand posture where the fingers are extended strongly outward from the palm






46. He was a broadway and hollywood tap and jazz dancer - as well as a movie star






47. Similar to the principles of visual art. Refers to the presence of unity - continuity (transitions) and variety (contrasts and repitition-patterns) in the choreography






48. The size of the movement is increased or decreased






49. The pelvis is pressed forcefully forward






50. The sagittal plane divides the body