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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. 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.






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






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






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






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






6. Flying brisa. In this brisa the dancer finishes on one foot after the beat - the other leg crossed either front or back.






7. 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.






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






9. Seven






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






11. 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.






12. Leg.






13. To rock - or to swing.






14. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






16. To lean






17. Open - opened.






18. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






20. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






21. A






22. Dance for two.






23. 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.






24. Borken/breaking






25. To the front.






26. Step






27. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






28. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






29. Two






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






31. Whirl - or spin






32. 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.






33. Big - large. (movements)






34. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






36. 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.






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






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






39. Arms






40. Small - little






41. Change of the feet in the air.






42. 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.






43. Jumped - jumping. When this name is added to a step - that step is done in the air.






44. 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.






45. A jump from both feet onto one foot






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






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






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






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






50. To prick