Name:

Extra Writing Practice 7

A Biography
1 Match each adjective in bold in A to a synonym in B.
A B
1 Stephen Hawking is one of the world’s most brilliant physicists. a phenomenal
2 Walt Disney played a significant role in the development of animated films. b instant
3 Leonardo da Vinci’s innovative ideas were centuries ahead of their time. c inventive
4 Serena and Venus Williams’ achievements in tennis are absolutely d tough
spectacular. e numerous
5 My favourite team has won countless NBA basketball matches. f gifted
6 Van Gogh was a talented artist who had serious problems in his life. g influential
7 Nadia Comaneci received immediate fame when she competed in the 1976
Olympics.
2 Complete the sentences with a suitable continuation.
1 She grew up in .
2 He became well known for .
3 She is one of the world’s best .
4 At the age of .
5 During his lifetime, he has .
3 Complete the chart with the phrases below to show the correct plan for a biography.
Give details about the person’s life in chronological order
Summarise the person's achievements and / or future plans ■ Tell who the person is
Tell why the person is famous
Opening:

Body:

Closing:

4 These sentences are taken from a biography. Write where they belong: O (in the opening), B (in the
body) or C (in the closing).
1 Nadia’s performance revolutionised women’s gymnastics, helping to make it the hugely popular event it
is today.
2 Nadia Comaneci is a legendary gymnast who thrilled the world by receiving the first perfect 10 Olympic
score in history when she was just 14.
3 Nadia was born in 1961 in Onesti, Romania.
4 Nadia’s mother reported that she had put six-year-old Nadia into gymnastics simply because she was
extremely energetic and active.
5 She won a total of nine Olympic medals and four World Championship medals.

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