Question 40

A ballerina dancing on the tips of her toes is said to be dancing en pointe.

Dancing en pointe refers to the technique in ballet where a dancer performs on the extreme tip of the toes, utilizing specially designed pointe shoes that provide the necessary support.

A) en pointe

This option is correct as it specifically describes the technique of a ballerina dancing on the tips of her toes. En pointe is a fundamental aspect of ballet that showcases the dancer's strength and training, allowing for graceful and elevated movements.

B) en avant

En avant translates to "forward" in French and indicates a direction of movement rather than a specific dancing technique. It does not pertain to the act of dancing on the tips of the toes and is therefore incorrect.

C) a terre

A terre means "on the ground" in ballet terminology. This term refers to movements performed on the floor rather than elevated positions like en pointe, making this option incorrect in the context of the question.

D) ouverte

Ouverte translates to "open" and typically describes a position or movement that is open or expanded. It does not relate to the technique of dancing on the tips of the toes, rendering this option incorrect.

E) tendu

Tendu means "stretched" and refers to a position where the foot stretches out along the floor. While it is an important ballet term, it does not describe the specific technique of dancing en pointe, making this option incorrect.

Conclusion

En pointe is the only term that accurately describes a ballerina dancing on the tips of her toes, highlighting a specific and advanced ballet technique. All other options either describe different movements or positions that do not involve the elevated technique of pointe work, confirming that A is the definitive correct answer.