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






2. Slow - sustained movement






3. Body.






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






5. A jump from both feet onto one foot






6. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






7. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






8. 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.






9. Step






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






11. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






13. Borken/breaking






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






15. Connected movements on the points






16. Foot rises about four inches from the floor with a well-pointed toe - then slides back into the the first or fifth position.






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






18. 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.






19. 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.






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






21. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






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






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






24. Enrico Cecchetti was a ballet teacher. He had a system of passing the tradition of ballet down to the next generation. The method has a definite program of strict routine and includes a table of principal set daily exercises for each day of the week.






25. Backwards - reverse.






26. 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.






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 glide. A traveling step executed by gliding the working foot from the fifth position in the required direction - the other foot closing to it.






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






30. To rock - or to swing.






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






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






33. Whirl - or spin






34. Leg.






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






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






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






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






39. Seven






40. Dance for three






41. 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.






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






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






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






45. Running.






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






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






48. Dance for two.






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






50. 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.