French language Q&A Forum

The correct answer is using partitive article. But I wonder why I cannot use definite article here? I regard them as general item, same case in 'J'aime écoute de la musique' = 'J'aime écoute la musique'

Can someone explain why the first verb in the extract is in the perfect, while the second (and subsequent) are in the imperfect? They all seem to be describing the continuing circumstances, which calls for the imperfect as I read this: Expressing opinions and describing with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)

Why is ce matin-là preferable to cette matinée and why is the latter not acceptable?  I thought that if you wanted emphasis on the morning, you would use matinée vice matin.  I realize that the là added to matin certainly adds the focus, but why is cette matinée not given as another possibility.   As you may have already surmised, I struggle with these masculine / feminine forms for morning, day, evening, year, etc. despite having reviewed the lesson.  Thanks for your guidance in advance.

The last sentence again: and by midday, we were able to go outside......

was translated as: et avant midi, nous avons pu sortir......

Doesn't 'avant midi' mean before noon? I put d'ici midi and was marked incorrect.

Le chalet : It is one of those words - does the ‘a’ have a roof over it or not ?  According to my Oxford English-French dictionary no, which is why i’m going with that spelling, but the American English - French dictionary could well say otherwise. Google translate is without too