View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What brought Chanel back to Paris?

2. What is described as one of Chanel's most scandalous affairs?

3. For what was Etienne Balsan famous?

4. When did Chanel's parents marry?

5. In what year did Chanel's parents marry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Emotionally, how important was Chanel's relationship with Arthur "Boy" Capel?

2. What sort of environments was Chanel surrounded by as a child?

3. How is Chanel's style of working after her return to Paris described?

4. Where was Chanel's family from, and where was she herself born?

5. What brought Chanel back to Paris in 1954?

6. Who was Etienne Balsan?

7. What are some pieces of fashionable styles for men named in the Introduction of the book?

8. What made Chanel memorable to the people who met her?

9. Where did Chanel go after leaving the convent?

10. What had Chanel's family done for generations?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Chanel's self-imposed exile during and after WWII. Why did she go to Switzerland? What occurred in the fashion world while she was living in Switzerland? What spurred her to return to France?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the author of the book, Edmonde Charles-Roux. Is she qualified to tell this story? Why or why not? What was her relationship with Coco Chanel? Does she appear to have a biased view of Chanel? What is her background?

Essay Topic 3

Chanel's life is the classic rags-to-riches story. Compare and contrast the poverty of her youth with the wealth and success she experienced at the height of her career.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 607 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample