Biography

Writing task: Describe a famous person

Think of a person from your countrys history and prepare to write a short Useful language
biography (around 100 words). Complete the table with their information. Useful phrases
was born in (Paris) in
Use the Useful language and the notes you made in the Engage task to help you
(1899).
prepare. He / She is famous for
(inventing / writing /
painting / discovering)
Name: Miguel Mara Grau Seminario
When he / she was (18)
When and where was he / she born? He was born in Peru in 1879. years old, he / she
He / She was married
What is he / she famous for? He is famous becouse he was a hero of the Navalto Battle of Angamos during the W
He / She died in
What was his / her early life like? He entered the Paita Nautical School. He first went to sea when
(Washington) inhe was nine years
(1743),
at the age of (71).
What were his / her successes? In 1854, he was Military officer of the steamer Rimac.
His /HisHercareer
(musicwas
/ rapid and bri
work / books / poems)
When did he / she die? Almirante Grau was killed by an armor-piercing shell
is / fired by the ironclad
are popular all over Almirante
the world now.
What do people think of him / her now? In the year 2000, Miguel Grau was recognized as the "Peruvian
There of the
was a (film Millennium"
/ book)
about his / her life in
Tip A description of a person uses neutral language. Make notes in the table but (2001).
dont write complete sentences yet. Just write words or phrases to help you plan. Use
the internet to find some information you dont know about the person. Use an English
website.
Follow this structure:
Paragraph 1: Give the persons name, say when / where he or she was born and what
he / she is famous for.
Paragraph 2: Write about the persons early life and his / her successes.
Paragraph 3: Say how and when the person died and what people think of him / her
now.
Check it! Did you use past verbs to talk about the persons past? Did you use
present verbs to talk about what people think now?

Miguel Grau was born in Paita on 27 July 1834 in the house of Dr. Alexander Diamont
Newel with the assistance of the midwife Tadea Castillo, also known as "The Morito,"
both prominent figures in Paita. His father was Juan Manuel Grau y Berro, a
Colombian who came to Peru with Bolivar in the fight for independence from Spain.
Later, Juan bought property in Paita and worked at the Customs Office. His mother,
Luisa Seminario y del Castillo, motivated Grau to love the sea from his youth. He
entered the Paita Nautical School. He first went to sea when he was nine years old,
going to Fortune, Colombia, aboard a merchant schooner. The schooner sank and he
returned to Paita. Grau later went on various merchant ships to ports in Oceania, Asia,
America and Europe. These voyages gave Grau the seagoing experience that was the
foundation for his brilliant career as a nautical officer and the beginning of a love story
with Carla Ortiz.In 1853, at the age of 19, he left the merchant marine and became an
officer candidate of the Peruvian Navy, where he developed an outstanding
professional reputation. In 1854, he was Military officer of the steamer Rimac. His
career was rapid and brilliant. In 1863, he was promoted a year later. In 1864, he was
sent to Europe to oversee the construction of ships for the Peruvian fleet.
Almirante Grau was killed by an armor-piercing shell fired by the ironclad Almirante
Cochrane in a four against one duel during the Naval Battle of Angamos on 8 October
1879. Oxford Online
Skills Program