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. To rock - or to swing.






2. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






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






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






5. Chains - links. A series of rapid turns on the points or demi-pointes done in a straight line or circle.






6. 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.






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






8. Small - little






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






10. To prick






11. 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.






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






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






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






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






16. (Movements) in the air

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


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






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






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






20. This means 'moving' the leg.






21. 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.






22. Dance for two.






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






24. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






26. 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.






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






28. 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






29. Bourrae step - done on pointe of demi-point.






30. Whirl - or spin






31. Open - opened.






32. Over. Indicates that the working foot passes in front of the supporting foot.






33. To the front.






34. To stretch out - make longer






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






36. Behind you - movements done behind you.






37. Body.






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






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






40. Raised






41. 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






42. 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.






43. 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.






44. 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.






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






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






47. Male dance partner to the ballerina






48. 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.






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






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