Ballet Vocabulary Quiz

What does Plié mean?

• To straighten

• To bend

• To stretch

• To pull up

Answer explanation

Plié means 'to bend,' there are two types of Plié:

1. 1. Demi Plié - half a bend.

2. 2. Full Plié - sometimes known as Grands Plié, this is a larger bend of the knees.

What does Tendu mean?

• To point

• To lengthen

• To stretch

• To pull up

Answer explanation

Tendu means 'to stretch,' and they are important for the development of strength and suppleness of the feet.

What does 'Ronde de Jambe' mean?

• Rounding of the leg

• Big circles

• Large leg lifts

• Round and round

Answer explanation

Ronde de Jambe means 'rounding of the leg' and can be done two ways:

1. 1. En dehors - outwards.

2. 2. En dedans - inwards.

What does 'Port de bras' mean?

• Arm Exercise

• Arm Movements

• Carriage of the arms

• Pathway of the arms

Answer explanation

Ports de bras supports technique and coordination of the arms.

Reorder the following areas in a ballet class...

• Pirouettes

• Centre Practice

• Adage

• Barre

• Allegro

Answer explanation

1. 1. Barre Work - this is always done at the beginning of a ballet class and allows the dancer to work on one side of the body at a time to reinforce technique before coming to the centre. No matter what level you are all classes begin at the barre.

2. 2. Centre Work - similar to the barre but without the aid of the barre. This begins to work the entire body, especially balance and coordination.

3. 3. Adage - this is where ports de bras and adage takes place, working the technique into larger slower movements that encourage artistry and performance.

4. 4. Pirouettes - this takes place to practice and refine technique for all turns, including turns taken from the diagonal.

5. 5. Allegro - this is the livelier and elevated section of the class and takes place towards the end to ensure that body if fully warm and prepared for the actions about to take place. This section usually finishes with a Grand Allegro.

Where does the raised leg in a pirouette go?

• Behind the knee

• Below the knee and the front of the standing leg

• At the side of the standing leg

• It waves about randomly

Answer explanation

At the front of the standing leg - especially when learning and refining technique of the pirouette, this is to help keep the hips level and organised for the turn.

What does 'Pirouette' mean?

• To whirl

• To turn

• To move around

• To rotate

Answer explanation

Pirouette means to whirl. It comes from the French word 'pirouette' which was originally used to describe the toy 'spinning top.'

What does 'sauté' mean?

• To hop

• Turn

• Leap

• To jump on two feet

Answer explanation

Sauté means to jump from two feet onto two feet.

What does 'Changement' mean?

• To rotate

• To swap

• To change feet

• To stop

Answer explanation

Changement means to change the feet as demonstrated in the picture.

What steps could be used in a Grands Allegro? Tick all the answers that you think are correct.

• Grands Jetés en avant

• Grands Jetés en tournant

• Assemblé Porté

• Brisés

• Sautés

Answer explanation

All steps in the Grands Allegro section are big and travel, it is usually performed towards the end of the lesson after warm up jumps and some other smaller jump exercises.