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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. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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






4. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






5. Arms






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






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






8. Two






9. To lean






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






11. Leg.






12. Turning fouetta.






13. Whirl - or spin






14. 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.






15. 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.






16. To prick






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






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 Withdrawn.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






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






20. (Movements) in the air


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






22. Raised






23. To stretch out - make longer






24. 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.






25. Big - large. (movements)






26. This means 'moving' the leg.






27. 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.






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






29. 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.






30. Dance for two.






31. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






32. Step






33. A jump from both feet onto one foot






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






35. Seven






36. Pas de bourra - running. This is a progression on the points or demi-pointes by a series of small - even steps with the feet close together. It may be done in all directions or in a circle.






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






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






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






40. 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.






41. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






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






44. Backwards - reverse.






45. Borken/breaking






46. Small - half bend of the knees.






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. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






50. 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