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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. Borken/breaking






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






3. 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.






4. Leg.






5. Small - half bend of the knees.






6. 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.






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 Withdrawn.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






8. 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.






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






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






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






12. To stretch out - make longer






13. Running.






14. To rock - or to swing.






15. Open - opened.






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






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






18. To prick






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






20. Change of the feet in the air.






21. This means 'moving' the leg.






22. 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.






23. 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.






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






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






26. Two






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






28. Slow - sustained movement






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






30. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






31. Backwards - reverse.






32. To the front.






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






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






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






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






37. 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.






38. Small - little






39. Raised






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






41. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






42. 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.






43. 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.






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






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






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






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






48. 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.






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






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