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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. A






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






3. Running.






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






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






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






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






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






9. Small - little






10. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






12. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






13. 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.






14. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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






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






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






19. 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.






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






21. 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.






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






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






24. Slow - sustained movement






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






26. To glide. A traveling step executed by gliding the working foot from the fifth position in the required direction - the other foot closing to it.






27. A jump from both feet onto one foot






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 Withdrawn.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






29. 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.






30. 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.






31. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






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. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






35. Connected movements on the points






36. 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






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






38. Turning fouetta.






39. 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.






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






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






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






43. To the front.






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






45. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






46. 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.






47. Arms






48. 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.






49. Dance for two.






50. 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.