Dance Vocabulary Quiz
12 questions on dance terms: choreography, rhythm, ballet, posture and styles of dance. B1–B2 level.
Dance Vocabulary — FAQ
Choreography is the art of designing and arranging the sequence of steps and movements that make up a dance. A choreographer decides how dancers move, where they go and how their movements match the music.
Rhythm is the regular pattern of beats and accents in music that dancers move to. Keeping in rhythm means matching your steps to the beat, which makes a dance look coordinated and musical.
Ballet is a highly formal style of dance that began in European courts centuries ago. It uses set positions, graceful movements and often dancing on the tips of the toes, known as pointe work, and is usually performed to classical music.
Posture is the way a dancer holds and aligns their body. Good posture, with a lifted spine and balanced weight, helps dancers move smoothly, balance well, avoid injury and look elegant on stage.
A choreographer creates and teaches the movements of a dance. They plan the steps, formations and timing, rehearse the dancers and shape the overall look of a performance so it expresses the right mood or story.
A pirouette is a controlled spin performed on one foot, most often associated with ballet. The dancer turns smoothly while keeping balance, often using the arms and a technique called spotting to avoid getting dizzy.
Tap dance is a lively style in which dancers wear shoes with metal plates on the toes and heels. By striking the floor, they create rhythmic sounds, so the dancer becomes part of the music as well as the movement.
Salsa is a popular Latin American partner dance known for its quick footwork, hip movement and lively rhythm. Partners move together in patterns, often turning and spinning, to energetic music with a strong beat.
Keeping the beat means moving your steps in time with the steady pulse of the music. Dancers who keep the beat look in control and in harmony with the song, while losing the beat makes a dance look uneven.
A dance routine is a planned, rehearsed sequence of movements performed to a particular piece of music. Routines can be danced solo, in pairs or in groups, and are often repeated so they can be performed consistently.