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






2. 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.






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






4. 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.






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






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






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






8. To stretch out - make longer






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






10. Seven






11. Two






12. 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.






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






14. To the front.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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 Withdrawn.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






22. 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.






23. Raised






24. Arms






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






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






27. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






28. Running.






29. A






30. 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.






31. 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.






32. This is a term used in double (supported) work for various lifts in which the danseuse is supported by the danseur in a poisson position. He may hold her above his head in a horizontal fish dive or she may fall from a sitting position on his shoulder






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






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






35. 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.






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






37. Borken/breaking






38. 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.






39. 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.






40. To get bigger/ big fast movements






41. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






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






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






46. 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.






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






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






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






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