Form A • Extra Reading

1. Reading
A Read the article quickly. Check (3) the main idea.
1. Oprah is rich now, but before she was poor.
2. Oprah is a famous TV host and started as a broadcaster.
3. Oprah has overcome many difficulties to become famous and powerful.

B Read the article slowly. Check your answer in Part A.

The Queen of
Entertainment
Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954.
Despite a poor and very troubled childhood, Oprah
has become one of the most famous and powerful
women in entertainment. Here is a list of some of the
accomplishments Oprah has achieved:
• Started her career as a broadcaster at 17
• Hosted a TV show
• Created an entertainment company, Harpo
Productions (“Oprah” spelled backward)
• Acted in the movie The Color Purple
• Added magazines and the media company, Oxygen,
to Harpo Productions
• Started a book club
• Founded a charity, the Angel Network
• Lost a lot of weight
• Made millions of dollars
Oprah is known as one of the most giving, generous
celebrities. She often tells a story of a Christmas when
she was a child and her mother had no money for gifts
or a tree. On that Christmas Eve, some nuns came to
Oprah’s home with presents and treats for the family.
She would never forget their act of kindness and would
use her fame and power to help others in need. She said,
“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from.
The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.”

© CUP 2012 Photocopiable Connect 4 Unit 5 1

 Form A • Extra Reading
C Complete the sentences with the words in the box.
accomplishment (n.) celebrities (n.) founded (v.) triumph (v.)
broadcaster (n.) charity (n.) generous (adj.)

1. Recording a hit song was her greatest .

2. Have you seen the handsome young on the evening news?
3. Those women an organization to help homeless animals.
4. If you want to help others, you can give money to a .
5. It was very of his mother to buy him a new car.
6. All of the most famous were at the award show.
7. You can over difficulty if you work very hard.

D Are these statements true or false? Check (3) True or False.

Then correct the false statements.

True False
1. Oprah was born on January 29, 1945.

2. She had a very difficult life when she was young.

3. She has hosted a TV show since she was 17.

4. She founded a charity called Harpo Productions.

5. She has created a media company, an entertainment company, a book club,
and a charity.

6. Oprah has made no money.

E What do you think? Answer the questions. Give reasons.

1. Do you think Oprah Winfrey is a media queen?

2. What do you think is the most important of Oprah’s accomplishments?

3. How do you think Oprah’s difficult childhood has helped her to become
the person she is today?

4. Which do you believe is more important, Oxygen Media or the
Angel Network? Explain.

© CUP 2012 Photocopiable

  Connect 4  Unit 5 2
 Form A • Extra Reading
5. Name some of the ways you think Oprah has inspired others to
improve themselves.

6. Do you agree that the ability to triumph always begins with you? Explain.

2. Writing
A Help Oprah complete her interview card.

Name of guest: (your name)

1. Have you ever
2. Have you ever / done
3. How long have you
4. When did you
5. Other:
6. Other:

B Now write your answers to Oprah’s interview questions.

Use the information in Part A to help you.

I am .
I have never .
I have (since / for)

© CUP 2012 Photocopiable Connect 4 Unit 5 3