Which term means 'carriage of the arms'?

• A. Cinquième position
• B. Port de bras
• C. Troisième
• D. Demi-pointes

Answer: (B)

Port de bras is the term that describes how the arms are carried and moved in ballet. It literally means "carriage of the arms," and in Cecchetti practice it covers the shaping, placement, and graceful transitioning of the arms—from one position to another—so the line from shoulder to fingertip is smooth and rounded.

The other terms refer to specific arm or foot positions, or to technique rather than the overall way the arms are carried. Cinquième position is one of the arm positions with arms raised overhead; Troisième denotes a particular arm/foot position; Demi-pointes means dancing on the balls of the feet.