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






2. 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.






3. Backwards - reverse.






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






5. Line. The outline of a dancer as she executes certain steps.






6. Dance for four






7. A jump from both feet onto one foot






8. 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.






9. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






10. To the front. Any step in front of your body.






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






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






14. To the second. Applies to legs or arms. Second position.






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






16. 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.






17. Change of the feet in the air.






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






19. Running.






20. 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.






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






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






23. Turning fouetta.






24. 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.






25. 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.






26. Whirl - or spin






27. (Movements) in the air

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


28. Behind you - movements done behind you.






29. Arms






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 Withdrawn.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






31. Leg.






32. 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.






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






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






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






36. Raised






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






38. To the front.






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






40. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






41. 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.






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






43. Small - half bend of the knees.






44. To escape. From 5th to second. Feet slide and don't leave floor.






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






46. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






47. Slow - sustained movement






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






49. Male dance partner to the ballerina






50. Seven