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Quizzes > Lifestyle & Hobbies > Hobbies & Leisure

Dance Sense Quiz: Test Your Moves and Knowledge

Ready for a Dance Trivia Quiz? Test Your Dance Sense Now

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art dancers cutout shapes on dark blue background free dance sense quiz challenge moves terminology

The Dance Sense Quiz helps you check your dance skills on moves, styles, and terms. Answer quick questions on ballet basics, jazz turns, hip-hop grooves, and more so you'll have fun and learn a tip or two. If you want a quick primer first, skim the terminology review or warm up with a fast trivia round.

What does "plié" mean in ballet?
A quick footwork pattern
A spinning movement
A leap with both legs extended
Bending of the knees
Plié is a fundamental movement in ballet involving bending the knees deeply to lower the body while keeping the back straight. It prepares dancers for jumps and helps build strength in the legs and ankles. Proper plié technique is essential for safe alignment and fluidity in more advanced steps.
Which dance style is known for its popping and locking techniques?
Waltz
Ballet
Tango
Hip-hop
Popping and locking are funk styles that emerged in the early 1970s and became integral to hip-hop dance culture. Popping involves rapid muscle contractions and releases to create a jerking effect, while locking features freezing or holding positions. Both techniques have influenced countless street and stage performers worldwide.
In ballet, which position is characterized by feet turned out and heels together?
First position
Fifth position
Second position
Third position
First position in classical ballet has the heels touching and toes turned out to the sides, forming a straight line. It is one of the five fundamental foot placements from which many steps originate. Mastery of turnout and alignment in first position is crucial for balance and proper technique in ballet.
What does the term "arabesque" refer to in ballet?
Arm movement above the head
A spinning turn
Leg extended behind the body
A jump with a split
An arabesque is a classical ballet position where the dancer stands on one leg while extending the other leg straight behind the body. It creates a long line from the fingertips through the toes of the back leg. This position emphasizes balance, strength, and line in the dancer's silhouette.
Which dance style is characterized by quick hip movements and partner work, often seen in Latin clubs?
Hip-hop
Salsa
Tango
Waltz
Salsa is a popular Latin dance that features rapid hip action, dynamic turns, and close partner work. Originating from Cuban son and influenced by jazz, it became a global phenomenon in nightclubs and dance studios. Its rhythm is typically counted in six steps over eight beats of music.
What is the term for the art of creating and arranging dance movements into a cohesive routine?
Choreography
Improvisation
Composition
Synchronization
Choreography is the practice of designing sequences of movements for performances in dance, theater, or other arts. It involves combining spatial patterns, timing, musicality, and expression to create a narrative or aesthetic effect. Professional choreographers often collaborate with dancers and directors to bring a vision to life.
Which ballroom dance is famous for its smooth, flowing "rise and fall" technique?
Cha-Cha
Tango
Rumba
Waltz
The Viennese and slow waltz are known for their elegant rise and fall action, where dancers smoothly move upward and downward through their steps. This technique adds a lyrical quality to the dance and requires strong core control and timing. The rise and fall give the waltz its signature gentle, flowing appearance.
In hip-hop dance, what does "freestyle" mean?
Performing a set choreography
Following a music video routine
Improvising movements on the spot
Dancing only with a partner
Freestyle in hip-hop dance refers to the spontaneous creation of movements without preplanned choreography. Dancers draw on their technical skills and personal style to respond in real time to the music. Freestyling encourages individuality and creativity, forming the basis for dance battles and cyphers.
In classical ballet, what does the term "grand jeté" describe?
An arm position above the head
A small gliding step along the floor
A large, split-like leap through the air
A stationary turn on one foot
A grand jeté is a powerful leap where the dancer throws one leg forward and the other back in a split position while airborne. It requires strong leg muscles, flexibility, and precise timing to achieve full extension. Grand jetés are a highlight in many classical ballet performances.
Who is considered the pioneer of modern dance, known for techniques emphasizing contraction and release?
Merce Cunningham
Martha Graham
Alvin Ailey
Isadora Duncan
Martha Graham revolutionized dance with her technique focusing on the contraction and release of the torso to express deep emotion. She founded the Martha Graham Dance Company and created works that broke classical ballet conventions. Her influence remains central in contemporary dance training worldwide.
The cha-cha-cha in ballroom dance originated in which country?
Brazil
Argentina
Cuba
Mexico
The cha-cha-cha evolved in Cuba in the early 1950s, derived from the mambo and characterized by its syncopated "cha-cha-cha" steps. It spread internationally after Cuban composer Enrique Jorrín popularized the rhythm. Today it is a staple in competitive and social ballroom.
Which city is credited as the birthplace of krumping, a high-energy street dance style?
Atlanta
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York
Krumping emerged in South Central Los Angeles in the early 2000s as an expressive, aggressive street dance form. It features chest pops, arm swings, and exaggerated movements to release emotion. Krumping quickly spread through dance communities worldwide.
What does "popping" refer to in hip-hop dance?
A quick contraction and release of muscles to create a jerking effect
A high jump
A sliding step across the floor
A fluid spinning movement
Popping is a funk-style dance that uses rapid muscle contractions and releases to create a "pop" or "hit" in the body. It originated on the West Coast in the 1970s and became a foundational element of hip-hop culture. Dancers often combine popping with other styles like waving and tutting.
Alvin Ailey is most famous for his contributions to which dance genre?
Modern dance
Jazz dance
Tap dance
Ballet
Alvin Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and popularized modern dance by blending African-American cultural themes with contemporary dance techniques. His signature work "Revelations" remains one of the most performed modern dance pieces worldwide.
In tap dance, which step involves brushing the ball of the foot forward then back in one phrase?
Ball change
Stamp
Shuffle
Heel drop
A shuffle in tap dance is executed by brushing the ball of the foot forward and then brushing it backward in a continuous motion. This step helps develop speed and rhythm in a dancer's footwork. Shuffles are combined with other steps to create complex tap sequences.
In ballet, what is a "fouetté" turn?
A whipping turn executed by using the momentum of the working leg to spin
An arm position resembling a whip
A leap where both legs are extended
A slow balancing pose
A fouetté turn involves the dancer starting in a plié, then whipping the raised working leg out to the side to generate momentum for the spin. It is a hallmark of advanced ballet technique, often performed in sequences of multiple turns. Mastery of fouetté turns demands strength, balance, and precise timing.
In ballet, what does the term "terre à terre" indicate about the movement?
That the dancer must leap high into the air
That the movement is performed in the center of the stage
That arms form a circle at chest level
That the working leg stays close to the ground
Terre à terre literally means "ground to ground" in French and describes movements where the foot or leg remains close to the floor. These steps include sliding, gliding, or brushing actions without significant elevation. It contrasts with en l'air movements that lift off the ground.
Which characteristic differentiates the Samba from other Latin ballroom dances?
It uses a rise and fall technique
It has no syncopated rhythms
It is always danced in 3/4 time
It has a pronounced "bounce" action created by the knees and hips
The Samba is distinguished by its unique bounce action, achieved through alternating flexion and extension of the knees and hips on each step. This gives the dance its characteristic rhythmic swing. Unlike the waltz or foxtrot, Samba's timing and hip action set it apart in the Latin ballroom repertoire.
The Lindy Hop, an influential swing dance style, originated in which neighborhood?
Manhattan
Queens
Harlem
Brooklyn
The Lindy Hop was born in Harlem's Savoy Ballroom in the late 1920s, blending jazz, tap, breakaway, and Charleston influences. It became a symbol of the Swing Era and introduced aerials and improvisation that define modern swing dance. Its popularity spread internationally in the 1930s and '40s.
In contemporary dance, the "release technique" primarily focuses on what principle?
Performing solely on the balls of the feet
Using relaxation, breath, and gravity to facilitate movement
Emphasizing fast footwork
Maintaining rigid posture
Release technique teaches dancers to let gravity and breath guide their movements, reducing unnecessary tension and promoting natural flow. It incorporates principles from anatomy, structural alignment, and somatic practices to optimize efficiency. Developed in the 1970s, it has influenced many contemporary dance curricula.
What is a "piqué turn" in ballet?
A turn executed by stepping directly onto the pointe or demi-pointe of the working foot
A grand jeté with a full split
A deep knee bend accompanied by a jump
A slow circling of the arms above the head
A piqué turn involves stepping directly onto the ball of the working foot (pointe or demi-pointe) in a straight leg, then turning on that leg with the other leg raised in retiré. This turn requires precise spotting and strong ankle support. It is commonly used in both classical and contemporary choreography.
In dance terminology, what does "adagio" generally refer to?
Fast and staccato actions
Energetic jumps
Slow and sustained movements requiring balance and control
Partner lifts
Adagio, from the Italian word for slow, describes a series of slow, controlled movements emphasizing balance and extension. In ballet and ballroom, adagio sections showcase line, stability, and musical phrasing. It contrasts with allegro sections, which focus on quick, lively steps.
The Horton Technique, known for its fortification and flexibility exercises, was developed by which choreographer?
Merce Cunningham
Martha Graham
Doris Humphrey
Lester Horton
Lester Horton created the Horton Technique in the 1930s to improve dancers' strength, flexibility, and body alignment. It incorporates movements from Native American dance, Afro-Caribbean styles, and modern dance. The technique is still widely taught in contemporary dance programs today.
In Bharatanatyam, what are "adavus"?
The basic units of movement that combine footwork, rhythm, and hand gestures
Stage lighting techniques
Traditional musical instruments
Elaborate costume pieces
Adavus are the foundational steps in Bharatanatyam, combining precise footwork (tala), coordinated hand gestures (mudras), and structured movement patterns. They form the basis for all choreography and help dancers maintain rhythm and posture. Mastery of adavus is essential before progressing to complex sequences.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify key dance terms -

    After completing the dance sense quiz, you'll accurately recall and define common dance terminology used across popular styles.

  2. Differentiate dance styles -

    You'll learn to distinguish salsa, ballet, hip-hop, and more by recognizing their signature moves and rhythms.

  3. Assess your dance IQ -

    The free dance quiz online will help you measure your current knowledge level and uncover areas where you can improve your skills.

  4. Apply correct move names -

    You'll confidently label moves and sequences in a dance trivia quiz format, boosting your communication with fellow dancers.

  5. Track improvement areas -

    Using your quiz results, you'll pinpoint gaps in your dance terminology understanding and plan targeted practice sessions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master the Five Ballet Positions -

    The Royal Academy of Dance outlines five fundamental foot placements - first through fifth position - that form the basis of classical technique. Practice the "turnout" by keeping heels together and toes outward at a 180° angle; this alignment strengthens hips and prepares you for more advanced steps. Remember the mnemonic "First and fifth look alike but swap feet for depth" to lock in each shape.

  2. Count Musical Time Signatures -

    Understanding 4/4 versus 3/4 timing is crucial in any dance terminology quiz or dance quiz online. In 4/4 you count "1-2-3-4," and in 3/4 you count "1-2-3," which changes the emphasis and feel of the choreography (source: National Association of Schools of Dance). Use the phrase "Strong-weak-weak" for 3/4 to internalize waltz timing and improve your musicality.

  3. Learn the Salsa Basic Step -

    The Columbia College Chicago Dance Department highlights the salsa's basic forward- and backward-break count as "1-2-3, 5-6-7." Stepping forward on "1" and back on "5" creates the signature pulse of this Latin style. Practice with a metronome or a dance trivia quiz app to embed the rhythm and boost your score on a dance terminology quiz.

  4. Perfect Your Ballroom Frame -

    The World Dance Council defines a proper "frame" as a stable yet flexible posture with bent elbows, joined hands, and a lifted chest. Weight distribution should sit over the balls of your feet for smooth turns and seamless partner connection. Keep your shoulders down and back - think "light yet tight," a tip often tested in dance sense quizzes.

  5. Distinguish Street Dance Jargon -

    UNESCO's International Dance Council classifies breaking, popping, and locking each with unique moves: top rock versus down rock in breaking, and the sharp isolations in popping. Memorize "top versus down" to recall foundations quickly during a dance trivia quiz. Knowing terms like "freeze" (a sudden stop) can set you apart when you test your dance knowledge.

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