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Quiz about Simple French Terms in Ballet

Simple French Terms in Ballet Trivia Quiz

I'll name a French term used in ballet, you choose what it means. Have fun!

A multiple-choice quiz by collies_4_me. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
collies_4_me

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
259,150

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1485

Last 3 plays: Guest 70 (5/10), Guest 115 (10/10), chianti59 (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What does the French word "cha�n�s" [sheh-NAY] mean, as in "cha�n�s turns?" Hint

all the way around

chained or linked

tiny

intricate

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Question 2 of 10

2. The very common French ballet term "pli�" [plee-AY] is the past participle of the French verb meaning which of the following? Hint

to shrink

to rise

to bend

to jump

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Question 3 of 10

3. Used to describe a type of pli�, what does the French term "demi" [deh-MEE] mean? Hint

half

all around

large

small or little

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Question 4 of 10

4. The ever-difficult step "jet�" [zhuh-TAY] means what? Hint

to slide

to jump

tossed or thrown

flying

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Question 5 of 10

5. The French ballet term "piqu�" [pee-KAY] means which of the following? Hint

above

pricked

kicked

in front

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Question 6 of 10

6. The very important term "port de bras" [pawr duh brah] means what? Hint

leg positions

foot positions

knee positions

arm positions

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which of the following does the term "saut�", or "saut�e", mean when added to a step (i.e. �chapp� saut�)?
Hint

while on the ground

done to the side

done quickly

having jumped

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Question 8 of 10

8. A more intermediate ballet term is "glissade" [glee-SAHD]. It means which of the following in English? Hint

stretch

push or pull

slide or glide

squat

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Question 9 of 10

9. The other type of pli� is the "grand" [grahn, or grahnd] pli�, which means what? Hint

big

good

tiny

complicated

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Question 10 of 10

10. A fun one to say (but a very important one as you begin a step called a "royale") is "battu" [ba-TEW], which is the past participle of a verb which means what? Hint

to exchange

to bring forth

to beat

to switch

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 09 2024 : Guest 70: 5/10
Dec 05 2024 : Guest 115: 10/10
Dec 05 2024 : chianti59: 9/10
Oct 27 2024 : Guest 81: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What does the French word "cha�n�s" [sheh-NAY] mean, as in "cha�n�s turns?"

Answer: chained or linked

Cha�n�s turns are quick, small turns done in a straight line or circle. They are sometimes called "petite turns."

2. The very common French ballet term "pli�" [plee-AY] is the past participle of the French verb meaning which of the following?

Answer: to bend

Pli�s are used in almost all jumping steps in ballet and are sometimes used in jazz. There are two types of pli�s.

3. Used to describe a type of pli�, what does the French term "demi" [deh-MEE] mean?

Answer: half

"Demi-pli�" is a type of pli� in which a dancer bends his/her knees slightly to create a small diamond between them.

4. The ever-difficult step "jet�" [zhuh-TAY] means what?

Answer: tossed or thrown

Beginning jet�s are simply one straight leg held at an angle in the front and a jump onto the straight leg. As dancers get more advanced, their jet�s get higher. The more advanced a dancer gets, the more this is used. When the word "jet�" is used, most people think of "grand jet�s", which, in simplest terms, look as the dancer is doing the splits in the air.

5. The French ballet term "piqu�" [pee-KAY] means which of the following?

Answer: pricked

There are piqu� turns, but piqu�s are also used in many other types of turns, too.

6. The very important term "port de bras" [pawr duh brah] means what?

Answer: arm positions

The phrase literally translates as "carriage of arms". "Port de bras" is said to describe an arm position, for instance, "port de bras high fifth." This is the way one must carry one's arms in that position!

7. Which of the following does the term "saut�", or "saut�e", mean when added to a step (i.e. �chapp� saut�)?

Answer: having jumped

"Echapp� saut�" is an echapp� done while in the air after jumping.

8. A more intermediate ballet term is "glissade" [glee-SAHD]. It means which of the following in English?

Answer: slide or glide

"Glissade" describes a movement in which a dancer slides his/her foot along the back of their calf.

9. The other type of pli� is the "grand" [grahn, or grahnd] pli�, which means what?

Answer: big

"Grand" is used to describe several different types of steps, including pli�s and jet�s. Grands pli�s are used a lot in ballet and jazz.

10. A fun one to say (but a very important one as you begin a step called a "royale") is "battu" [ba-TEW], which is the past participle of a verb which means what?

Answer: to beat

A battu is used in a royale (a changement with a battu).

Source: Author collies_4_me

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