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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. Small - little






2. Small - half bend of the knees.






3. A jump from both feet onto one foot






4. Arms






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






6. To get bigger/ big fast movements






7. To throw. A jump from one foot to the other in which the working leg is brushed into the air and appears to have been thrown.






8. Backwards - reverse.






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






10. Change of the feet in the air.






11. 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.






12. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






18. Seven






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






20. 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.






21. Connected movements on the points






22. Waltz step. Done with a graceful swaying body. Like a balanca but feet do not cross.






23. Running.






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






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






26. Raised






27. 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.






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






29. 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.






30. This means 'moving' the leg.






31. Borken/breaking






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






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






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






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






36. To rock - or to swing.






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






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






39. To stretch out - make longer






40. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






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






43. 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.






44. 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






45. Open - opened.






46. Slow - sustained movement






47. 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.






48. Big - large. (movements)






49. Step






50. 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.