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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. Running.






2. 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.






3. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






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






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






7. Body.






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






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






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






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






12. Small - half bend of the knees.






13. Leg.






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






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






16. Male dance partner to the ballerina






17. Turning fouetta.






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






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






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






21. Open - opened.






22. Step






23. 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.






24. 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.






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






26. Dance for four






27. To rock - or to swing.






28. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






29. 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.






30. Small - little






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






32. Change of the feet in the air.






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






34. Chains - links. A series of rapid turns on the points or demi-pointes done in a straight line or circle.






35. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






37. 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.






38. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






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






41. Seven






42. A






43. To stretch out - make longer






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






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






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






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






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






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






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