FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about Classical Dance Vocabulary
Quiz about Classical Dance Vocabulary

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.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Humanities Trivia
  6. »
  7. Performing Arts
  8. »
  9. Dance

Author
daupc
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
315,038
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
666
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: caparica (7/10), Guest 81 (8/10), Guest 69 (10/10).
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. This classic ballet step is done by picking up one leg at a time while showing a full Grand Plié in first position en l'air (in the air). When translated from French, it is called "Step of the Cat". Hint


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


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


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 Passé (passing the knee). Hint


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


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


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


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


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


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



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

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Most Recent Scores
Oct 01 2024 : caparica: 7/10
Sep 18 2024 : Guest 81: 8/10
Sep 15 2024 : Guest 69: 10/10
Sep 03 2024 : Guest 76: 7/10
Sep 03 2024 : Guest 35: 6/10
Sep 01 2024 : Guest 107: 9/10
Aug 17 2024 : Guest 129: 6/10
Aug 14 2024 : Guest 73: 10/10
Aug 10 2024 : Guest 73: 10/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. This classic ballet step is done by picking up one leg at a time while showing a full Grand Plié in first position en l'air (in the air). When translated from French, it is called "Step of the Cat".

Answer: Pas de Chat

A Pas de Chat is a kind of jump, or a Sauté, 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: Piqué

A Piqué can be an action, like a Piqué Arabesque, but it can also be a turn like a Piqué Tour.
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 Passé (passing the knee).

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: Jeté

A Jeté is a small leap of the floor, but a Grand Jeté 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: Chainé

A Chainé 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

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Related Quizzes
1. Medieval Dance Tough
2. Private Dancer Easier
3. Trip the Light Fantastic Easier
4. Shake a Leg Easier
5. One Small Step Easier
6. A Time to Dance Average
7. Run, Twist, Stomp Easier
8. Dance Around The World Easier
9. Dancing with Bob Average
10. Let's Dance Average
11. Take Hands with your Partner Average
12. Go Go Boots Average

10/8/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us