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






2. Body.






3. Dance for two.






4. Small - little






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






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






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






8. 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






9. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






10. Slow - sustained movement






11. Backwards - reverse.






12. A jump from both feet onto one foot






13. 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.






14. 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.






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






16. 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.






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






18. To get bigger/ big fast movements






19. Connected movements on the points






20. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






21. 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.






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






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






24. Running.






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






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






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






28. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






30. A stationary handrail that is used during ballet warm up exercises. The term also refers to the exercises that are performed at the barre - as well as that part of a ballet class that incorporates barre exercises. Much of a ballet dancer's training t






31. To rock - or to swing.






32. Step






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






34. 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.






35. Small - half bend of the knees.






36. Big - large. (movements)






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






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






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






40. 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.






41. 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.






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






43. Raised






44. Arms






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






46. 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.






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






48. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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