Grade 1

Question 1

What is the
Line of Direction?

Answer 1

• The line of direction is an imaginary line on the ground, passing from front to back between the heels of the dancer while standing in first position.
• The angles of basic foot positions are measured from this line.

Question 2

Where is First Position?

Answer 2

• The heels are together with the weight of the body equally distributed between both feet.
• The feet are turned out to form an angle of 90 degrees, each foot being turned out at an angle of 45 degrees from the line of direction.
• The feet can be flat or on the balls.

Question 3

Where is
Second Position?

Answer 3

• The working leg is extended directly to the side at an angle of 90 degrees from the line of direction.
• The toe and heel of the working foot are in line with the heel of
the supporting foot.
• The working foot may be placed on the toe, half point, ball or heel.
Used in: Shedding, Spring points

Question 4

Where is
Third Position?

Answer 4

The working foot is in contact with the hollow of the supporting foot.
• The working foot may be placed on the toe, half point, ball or heel.
• When placed on the toe, half point, or heel, the working leg must be turned out at 90 degrees from the line of direction.
• When placed on the balls of the feet, both feet should be turned out 45 degrees from the line of direction, and the working legs should be kept as straight as possible.
• Used in: Rocks, Entrechats, Toe-and-Heels

Question 5

Where is Third
Aerial Position?

Answer 5

• The outside edge of the working foot placed on the front of the supporting leg with the working leg pressed well bad
There are three levels:
Normal: The heel of the working foot is placed just below the knee cap of the supporting leg. Used in: Back-steps Low: The toe of the working foot is placed in line with the ankle of the supporting leg. Used in: Hop-Brush-Beat-Beat
Very Low: The working foot is placed just above the ground, above third position. Used in: Outward brushes

Question 6

Where is Third Rear
Aerial Position?

Answer 6

• The working foot is placed behind the supporting leg at the same height as in third aerial normal position.
• The inside edge of the working foot is in contact with the calf of the supporting leg, with the knee of the working leg pressed well back.
No part of the working foot should be visible from the front.
• Used in: Shedding, High-Cuts

Question 7

Where is Fourth Position?

Answer 7

• The working leg is extended to the front with both heels in line with the line of direction.
• The working foot is turned out at an angle of 45 degrees from the line of direction.
• The working foot may be placed on the toe or half point.
• Used in: Spring Points, Open Pas-de-Basques

Question 8

Where is Fifth Position?

Answer 8

• The working foot is in contact with the big toe joint of the supporting foot.
• The working foot may be placed on the toe half point, ball, or heel.
• When placed on the toe, half point, or heel, the working foot is turned out at an angle of 90 degrees from the line of direction.
• When placed on the balls of the feet, both feet should be turned out 45 degrees from the line of direction, and the working legs should be kept as straight as possible.
• Used in: Shuffles, Rocks, Entrechats

Question 9

What is a Hop?

Answer 9

• A movement of elevation begun on the ball of one foot and finished on the ball of the same foot.

Question 10

What is a Spring?

Answer 10

• A movement of elevation begun on the ball of one foot, and finished on the ball of the other foot.

Question 11

Describe Shedding

Answer 11

• Hop, spring or disassemble pointing the working foot in second position (Count 1).
• Hop, bringing the working foot to third rear aerial position (count 2).
• Hop, executing a round-the-leg movement with the working foot in third aerial position (count 3).
• Hop, executing a round-the-leg movement returning the working foot to third rear aerial position (count 4).

Question 12

Describe a Toe-and-Heel

Answer 12

• Hop or spring and on landing place the toe of the working foot in third or fifth position.
• Hop and place the heel of the working foot in the same position.
• This movement occupies two beats of music.
• The Toe and Heel movement may also be done in second (used in the Toe-and-Heel quick step in the Seann Triubhas) or fourth opposite fifth position (used in the Toe-and-Heel step of the Sword)
• The working foot must be turned out at an angle of 90 degrees from the line of direction.

Question 13

Describe Spring Points

Answer 13

• Spring and point the working foot to the specified open position.
• Both feet must touch the ground simultaneously.

Question 14

Describe the
Grouping of Fingers

Answer 14

• The fingers are lightly grouped, and the thumb is in contact with the first joint of the middle finger.
• This is used in all positions of the arms except first position.

Question 15

Describe First Position of the Arms

Answer 15

• Both hands rest on the hips with the backs of the hands to the front, the knuckles facing the body with the wrists straight, and the elbows pointing directly to the side.

Question 16

Describe Second Position of the Arms

Answer 16

• One arm is placed as in first position; the other is raised a the side, with the arm and wrist slightly curved.
• The hand is slightly above and forward from the head and the palm is turned inwards.
• In this position, the raised arm is always on the side opposite to the working leg, except in a propelled pivot turn

Question 17

Describe Third Position of the Arms

Answer 17

• Both arms are placed as described for the raised arm in second position.
• The palms of the hands face inwards towards each other.

Question 18

Describe Fourth Position of the Arms

Answer 18

• A closer and higher form of third position with the hands almost touching.
• Used in: Introduction to the Seann Triubhas, Travelling Balance

Question 19

Describe Fifth Position of the Arms

Answer 19

• The arms are gently curved down in front of the body with the hands quite close to each other and the little fingers almost touching the kilt.
• Used in: Introduction to the Seann Triubhas, First and Second step of the Seann Triubhas

Question 20

What is Correct Stance?

Answer 20

• The body should be held in a natural manner without stiffness, strain or exaggeration, and the back should not be arched.

Question 21

Describe a Bow

Answer 21

• Begin by standing with the feet and head in first position.
• The arms may be by the side or in first position.
• Bow by inclining the body forward slowly and return to the original position.
• If arms are by the sides, they should be taken to first position on the first count following the bow, unless otherwise stated

Question 22

What are the
Spaces in the Swords?

Answer 22

Corner C 3c 3 3b Corner B
|
4c C | B 2b
|
4 ————————————— 2
|
4d D | A 2a
|
Corner D 1d 1 1a Corner A

Question 23

How is the
Introduction to the
Highland Fling danced?

Answer 23

• On bars 1 and 2, stand for the Bow. (counts 1-8)
• On bars 3 and 4, bow (counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).
You may rise on the balls of the feet, taking arms to 1st position if not already placed (count 7); Pause (count 8).

Question 24

1. What is measured from the line of direction?

Answer 24

1. The angles of the basic foot positions are measured from the line of direction.

Question 25

2. In second position of the arms, when would you use the same leg as the arm that is raised?

Answer 25

2. In a Propelled Pivot turn.

Question 26

3. In the Introduction to the Fling, are you required to rise on the balls of both feet on count 7?

Answer 26

3. No, you may rise or stay flat.

Question 27

4. Where is third aerial verv low used?

Answer 27

4. Third aerial very low is used in an Outward Brush.

Question 28

5. On what count are the arms raised to first position if doing a bow with your arms by your side?

Answer 28

5. The arms are raised to first position on the first count after the bow.

Question 29

6. In how many positions can a toe-and-heel be danced?

Answer 29

6. 4. A toe-and-heel can be done in third position, fifth position, second position and fourth opposite fifth position.