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






2. 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.






3. 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.






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






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






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






7. Dance for two.






8. Dance for three






9. Big - large. (movements)






10. Step in which the fotot goes in back coupa and you turn ¾ of a circle then do a grand jeta to complete the turn. Usually done in a circle or diagonal.






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






12. Seven






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






14. 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.






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






16. Turning fouetta.






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






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






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






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






21. 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.






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






23. Body.






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






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






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






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






28. 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.






29. On the points. Rising to the tips of the toes.






30. 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.






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






32. Leg.






33. To lean






34. A






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






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






37. Closed sissone. Low elevation and a quick tempo - this sissonne finishes on two feet with the working foot gliding along the floor into the demi-plia in the fifth position.






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






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






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






41. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






42. Backwards - reverse.






43. Behind you - movements done behind you.






44. To the front.






45. Small - half bend of the knees.






46. 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.






47. To prick






48. Small - little






49. 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.






50. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.