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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. Whirl - or spin






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






3. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






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






6. Running.






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






8. Open - opened.






9. Step






10. 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.






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






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






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






14. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






15. 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.






16. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






18. Two






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






20. Section that brings you to the end of a dance - its big and important.






21. To the front.






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






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






24. 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.






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






26. 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.






27. Enrico Cecchetti was a ballet teacher. He had a system of passing the tradition of ballet down to the next generation. The method has a definite program of strict routine and includes a table of principal set daily exercises for each day of the week.






28. Dance for three






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






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






31. 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.






32. Slow - sustained movement






33. 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.






34. Body.






35. 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.






36. Dance for two.






37. To throw about. This is a jump from either one foot or both feet. Jump up to double passe and extend out.






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






39. Leg.






40. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






42. Borken/breaking






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






44. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






45. To prick






46. To stretch out - make longer






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






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






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






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