The Gardens of Versailles

"Les Jardins de Versailles"
French C1 writing exercise

Gabriel is going on a tour of the Gardens of Versailles with his tour guide Fiona.

Pay attention to the hints!

Some vocabulary you may want to look up before or during this exercise: "breathtakingly beautiful", "classical", "a French-style garden", "a landscaper", "to make [something] possible", "a masterpiece", "to be designed (gardens)", "to reflect [an idea]", "to expect [something] to be", "elaborate (adj.)", "symmetrical", "it would seem that...", "a fountain", "to be placed", "mathematical accuracy", "precisely", "indisputable", "theatrical", "the layout [of a place]", "to be choreographed", "entire", "a domain", "symbolic of [something]", "to epitomise [something]", "artistic excellence".

I’ll give you some sentences to translate into French

  • I’ll show you where you make mistakes
  • I’ll keep track of what you need to practise
  • Change my choices if you want
Start the exercise
How the test works

Here's a preview of the text for the writing challenge, when you're ready click the start button above:

- Hello Gabriel! Today, we're going to explore the breathtakingly beautiful Gardens of Versailles, which are one of the most magnificent examples of the classical French-style garden. Do you know the name of the landscaper who made this masterpiece possible? - Yes, these gardens were designed in the 17th century by André Le Nôtre, who wanted everything to reflect order and harmony. However, I did not expect them to be as elaborate and symmetrical as this, despite all the pictures of the gardens [that] I'd already seen. It would seem that each tree and fountain was placed with mathematical accuracy. - In fact, this is precisely what Louis XIV had asked for: a space that could show his indisputable power and control over nature. - There's something almost theatrical about the layout of these gardens, as if nature had been choreographed. - You're right! Not only is the entire domain symbolic of royal power, but it also epitomises artistic excellence!

Clever stuff happening!