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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. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






3. To stretch out - make longer






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






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






6. Body.






7. Male dance partner to the ballerina






8. 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.






9. Step






10. 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.






11. Raised






12. 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.






13. To lean






14. Basque jump. A traveling step in which the dancer turns in the air with one foot drawn up to the knee of the other leg. Fifth position are foot front.






15. 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.






16. 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.






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






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






19. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






20. 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.






21. Arms






22. Big - large. (movements)






23. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






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






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






26. Whirl - or spin






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






28. Dance for three






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






30. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






32. Small - half bend of the knees.






33. This means to pose on one leg whilst extending the other leg to the back.






34. Open - opened.






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






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






37. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






38. Small - little






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






40. A






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






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






43. 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.






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






45. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






46. Backwards - reverse.






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






48. The crossing of the legs with the body placed at an oblique angle to the audience.






49. A jump from both feet onto one foot






50. Dance for four