Define plié and differentiate between demi-plié and grand plié.

• A. Plié is the bending of the knees with turnout; demi-plié is a shallow bend, grand plié is a deep knee bend while maintaining turnout and neutral alignment.
• B. Demi-plié is the bending of the knees with turnout; grand plié is a straight knee position.
• C. Plié involves turning the feet inward and bending the spine.
• D. Plié is a movement of the arms rather than the legs.

Answer: (A)

Plié is bending the knees with turnout, keeping the hips open, the spine long, and the weight distributed through the feet. Demi-plié is a shallow bend with turnout and the knees tracking over the toes while maintaining neutral alignment. Grand plié is a deeper knee bend, still with turnout and the body held in proper alignment, so the knees stay over the toes and the torso stays tall.

This description is the best fit because it correctly identifies plié as knee bending with turnout and clearly distinguishes demi-plié as a light bend and grand plié as a deeper bend, all while emphasizing maintaining proper alignment. The other options misstate the movement—for example, turning the feet inward and bending the spine, or suggesting plié involves the arms, or describing grand plié as a straight-knee position.