FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Basic Ballet Terms Trivia Quiz

Like other disciplines, ballet has its own vocabulary. I've tried to choose some challenging terms - "plie" will not be an answer on this quiz!

A multiple-choice quiz by SuperRo. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
SuperRo

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
83,843

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
2042

Last 3 plays: Guest 120 (4/10), Guest 131 (4/10), Guest 152 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This is a jump in which the dancer rises low off of the floor and the two feet are brought together in the air before the dancer lands in fifth position. Hint

jete

assemble

barrel turn

grand jete

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. This is a movement in which the dancer raises one leg to the front, back, or side and then jumps with the supporting leg, bringing it up to beat under the other. Hint

gargouillade

fouette

cabriole

entrechat

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. This is a position in which the ballerina crosses her feet in fifth position, with legs together and pulled back, head lifted, and back arched. Hint

echappe

pique

poisson

cinq

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. This is an extension in which the toe is pointed in an open position preparation for a ballet step. Hint

ballon

pique

chaine

degage

5. With a slight plie, the dancer springs into the air from the fifth position and then lands on one foot with a demi-plie and the other leg extended to the back, front, or side. The foot of the extended leg is then closed to the supporting foot. What is this step called? Hint

rond de jambe a terre

sissone

penche

battement en cloche

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. In this pose, the dancer stands on one leg and brings the other leg up behind at an angle of 90 degrees, with the knee bent. Hint

arabesque

attitude

bourree

a la seconde

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. This is a movement in which the dancer springs up from fifth position onto pointe in second position. Hint

elance

ecarte

emboite

echappe

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. This is a position in which the dancer stands so that when either leg is raised, it crosses the other leg. Hint

croise

chasse

chaine

gargouillade

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. This word is used as a modifier to explain that a jump is involved in a step or pose. Hint

tour

croise

jete

saute

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. This is the term for a disjoined step. Hint

deboite

deboules

dessus

deroule

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Most Recent Scores

Apr 02 2024 : Guest 120: 4/10
Mar 25 2024 : Guest 131: 4/10
Mar 25 2024 : Guest 152: 8/10
Mar 18 2024 : Guest 180: 10/10
Mar 14 2024 : Guest 162: 3/10
Mar 13 2024 : Guest 76: 2/10
Mar 11 2024 : Guest 114: 10/10
Mar 10 2024 : Guest 158: 9/10
Feb 28 2024 : Guest 136: 7/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This is a jump in which the dancer rises low off of the floor and the two feet are brought together in the air before the dancer lands in fifth position.

Answer: assemble

A jete is a type of jump in which the weight of the body is thrown from one foot onto the other, so that is obviously not the answer. In a barrel turn, the danseur travels in a circle and executes a series of turns in the air - while he is aloft, the arms and legs are fully extended.

2. This is a movement in which the dancer raises one leg to the front, back, or side and then jumps with the supporting leg, bringing it up to beat under the other.

Answer: cabriole

A fouette is a pirouette in which one leg whips out to the side in a rond de jambe, then in to the knee of the other leg. An entrechat is a type of jump in which the dancer leaps straight into the air from plie, the feet beating or crossing a number of times. A gargouillade is a jump resembling the pas de chat, except that during the course of it, each leg executes a rond de jamb.

3. This is a position in which the ballerina crosses her feet in fifth position, with legs together and pulled back, head lifted, and back arched.

Answer: poisson

When the partner catches or lifts the ballerina in this position, it is called a pas de poisson, or fish dive.

4. This is an extension in which the toe is pointed in an open position preparation for a ballet step.

Answer: degage

Pique is stepping onto pointe with a straight leg. The ballon is the illusion that the dancer presents of being suspended in the air. A chaine is a series of rapid turns in a circle or straight line, executed on pointe or demi-pointe.

Answer: sissone

A rond de jamb a terre is an exercise performed at the barre to loosen the hip joint. Penche refers to an arabesque position, and in a battement en cloche, the dancer swings the leg as high as possible to the back and front - again to loosen the hip joint. It's another warm-up exercise

6. In this pose, the dancer stands on one leg and brings the other leg up behind at an angle of 90 degrees, with the knee bent.

Answer: attitude

A la seconde simply refers to second position. Bourree refers to a series of small, quick steps, usually done on pointe.

7. This is a movement in which the dancer springs up from fifth position onto pointe in second position.

Answer: echappe

In the echappe, the feet "escape" from a closed position to an open one. An echappe is also a jump.

8. This is a position in which the dancer stands so that when either leg is raised, it crosses the other leg.

Answer: croise

Chasse is a sliding step in which the dancer jumps low off the floor, lands, and the working foot "chases" the landing foot out of position.

9. This word is used as a modifier to explain that a jump is involved in a step or pose.

Answer: saute

Tour is a deceptive term: it's not a jump, it's a synonym for pirouette. Jete is a type of jump, but it's not what we're looking for here.

10. This is the term for a disjoined step.

Answer: deboite

Dessus - over; deboules - like a ball, rolling; deroule - unwound or in the process of unwinding

Source: Author SuperRo

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor thejazzkickazz before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.