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Classical Dance Vocabulary Trivia Quiz

Most people in the dance industry today refer to positions and steps by their "American" or "Jazz" names, and not by their traditional French names. In this quiz you will learn the traditional names of dance steps.

A multiple-choice quiz by daupc. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
daupc

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
315,038

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
653

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 24 (6/10), Guest 101 (9/10), PurpleComet (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This classic ballet step is done by picking up one leg at a time while showing a full Grand Pli� in first position en l'air (in the air). When translated from French, it is called "Step of the Cat". Hint

Pass�

Tondu�

Pas de Chat

Jet�

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. This rather difficult step uses flexibility, stability, and muscular power to lift or kick the leg upwards. The way this word is pronounced is not close at all to the spelling. Hint

Chain�

Kick

Battement

Tour

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. This dance step that can also be a tour (turn in English) is the action of stepping straight-legged onto a one foot. The meaning of this word in English is "pricked". Can you guess what it is? Hint

Leap

Piqu�

Pirouette

Plie

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. There are many different kinds of ways to do this action, but the basic essence of this move is turning on one leg. Can you figure out what it is called? The most common of the ways is when you place your free leg in Pass� (passing the knee). Hint

Relev�

Chass�

Pirouette

Chass� Tour

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. When translated from French, this step is called "Jump of the Cat". Have you figured it out yet? What is it? Hint

Pas de Chat

Soussous

Saut de Chat

Sout�

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. To do this position you have to hit fifth position on your toes. For this position you have to be centered and balanced. Hint

Saut�

Frapp�

Balanc�

Soussous

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. To do the step you have to jump off of one foot and land on one foot. In English it is called a leap. Do you know the French name? Hint

Pli�

Sout de Bosque

Assembl�

Jet�

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. This classical movement is performed by "drawing" a half circle with your pointed toe on the floor. The meaning of this word in English is "circle of the leg". What is the word I have in mind? Hint

Jambe

Rond de jambe en l'air

Rond de jambe

Cercle

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. This next movement is a tour, and the base of the word comes from the word chain.
Have you listened well enough in class to figure this word out? What is it? Hint

Cheval

Relev�

Chain�

Chass�

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. This one is similar to a Pas de Chat. In English it is called "Step of the Horse". What is this step called in French? Hint

Cheval

Relev�

Pas de Cheval

Saut de Chat

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 03 2024 : Guest 24: 6/10
Apr 01 2024 : Guest 101: 9/10
Mar 03 2024 : PurpleComet: 7/10
Feb 24 2024 : Guest 40: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Pas de Chat

A Pas de Chat is a kind of jump, or a Saut�, which means jump in French.

2. This rather difficult step uses flexibility, stability, and muscular power to lift or kick the leg upwards. The way this word is pronounced is not close at all to the spelling.

Answer: Battement

When used in dance terms, a Battement is referred to as a high "leg hold" or a "pointed leg lift", but a Battement can also be referring to a "karate kick", or any other phrase with the word kick in it.

3. This dance step that can also be a tour (turn in English) is the action of stepping straight-legged onto a one foot. The meaning of this word in English is "pricked". Can you guess what it is?

Answer: Piqu�

A Piqu� can be an action, like a Piqu� Arabesque, but it can also be a turn like a Piqu� Tour.

Answer: Pirouette

There are different number of Pirouettes that you can do. One Pirouette is called a single, two is called a double, three is called a triple, and four is called a quad.

5. When translated from French, this step is called "Jump of the Cat". Have you figured it out yet? What is it?

Answer: Saut de Chat

Pas de Chat and a Saut de Chat are very similar, except a Pas de Chat is "step of the cat", and a Saut de Chat is "jump of the cat".

6. To do this position you have to hit fifth position on your toes. For this position you have to be centered and balanced.

Answer: Soussous

Barre exercises can help with your balance and your center, therefore making you a lot stronger for all of these ballet positions and steps.

7. To do the step you have to jump off of one foot and land on one foot. In English it is called a leap. Do you know the French name?

Answer: Jet�

A Jet� is a small leap of the floor, but a Grand Jet� is a full leap off of a straight leg.

8. This classical movement is performed by "drawing" a half circle with your pointed toe on the floor. The meaning of this word in English is "circle of the leg". What is the word I have in mind?

Answer: Rond de jambe

Rond de jambe en l'air is a rond de jambe that is done in the air. A Rond de jambe is mostly done as a barre exercise, but it can also be done at the center.

9. This next movement is a tour, and the base of the word comes from the word chain. Have you listened well enough in class to figure this word out? What is it?

Answer: Chain�

A Chain� is done in first position while turning, and is only done correctly if you stay in first position the entire time of the turn series.

10. This one is similar to a Pas de Chat. In English it is called "Step of the Horse". What is this step called in French?

Answer: Pas de Cheval

A Pas de Cheval sounds similar to a Pas de Chat, but they are completely different steps. One is done at the barre, and the other is done at the center.

Source: Author daupc

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