Reading and Writing Portfolio 4
Reading a biography of Johnny Depp
A biography
1 Read the article about Johnny Depp quickly. Match topics 1–5 to
paragraphs A–E.
1 His successful films D 4 His musical beginnings
2 His early life 5 His early acting career
3 His home life
A RELUCTANT STAR
A One of Hollywood’s top actors, Johnny
Depp has followed an unusual road to
stardom. Born in Kentucky in 1963 to a
family with Cherokee ancestry, they lived
in 20 different places before eventually
settling in Florida, when Johnny was
nine. A teenage rebel, he dropped out of
school at 15 because of his unhappiness
following his parents’ divorce.
B Over the next few years, Depp played
guitar for several garage bands, achieving
some local success with one called The
Kids. The band relocated to Los Angeles in
search of a record deal. Unfortunately, they
struggled to survive in such a competitive
environment and Depp had to do a
variety of jobs, including selling pens. It
was while he was there that Depp, at 20,
married Lori Anne Allison, who introduced
him to her actor friend, Nicolas Cage. It
was Cage who encouraged Depp to take
up acting himself.
2 How are these topics connected to Johnny Depp? Complete the sentences.
1 Kentucky
Depp was born there.
2 The Kids
The name of a
3 Los Angeles
Depp went there to
4 Nicolas Cage
The actor who encouraged
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Writing a short biography: avoiding repetition;
adding detail and personal comment
Review narrative verb forms, connectors,
relative clauses
C Depp, although not keen on the idea,
reluctantly auditioned for his first film A
Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984. The Kids
split up soon after the release of the movie
and Depp got other small parts. However,
it was the TV series 21 Jump Street which
suddenly made him a teenage idol during
the 80s. Embarrassed by this, Depp decided
that from then on he would only appear in
roles which he felt were ‘right’ for him.
D He decided to wait for a more serious role to
come along. Luckily, one soon did. In 1990
he starred in Edward Scissorhands, which
brought him the critical acclaim he wanted.
He then went on to appear in a wide variety E Depp’s marriage did not last. In 1998 he
of different films, including What’s eating met and fell in love with French actress and
Gilbert Grape?, Donnie Brasco, Chocolat singer Vanessa Paradis with whom he had
and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Such two children, Lily Rose and Jack, although
films made him popular, but it was his role Depp and Paradis are no longer together.
as Jack Sparrow in the smash hit Pirates of Meanwhile, Depp continues to surprise
the Caribbean which probably first made him us with film roles that are unusual and
an international star. interesting.
5 A Nightmare on Elm Street
This was the name of Depp’s .
6 21 Jump Street
. This was the name of the TV series which
.
. 7 Pirates of the Caribbean
This film made Depp an .
8 Lily Rose and Jack
. They are .
 HELP WITH WRITING 5 Replace the word or phrase in bold with one of the words from
avoiding repetition; adding detail and the box.
personal comment
He this them His one then he did
3 Possessive adjectives, pronouns, adverbs
and other words are all used to avoid
1 Anthony Horowitz is the author of Stormbreaker.
repeating words and phrases. What do
the words in bold in the article refer to? Anthony Horowitz He is a very popular writer.
2 He wrote Stormbreaker when he was 50. He wasn’t famous until he
Paragraph A: they 1 Depp’s family
was 50. .
he 2 his 3
3 The hero of the book is a teenage boy. The hero’s name is
Paragraph B: one 4 Alex Rider.
the band 5 such a competitive 4 Alex’s uncle dies mysteriously. After he dies mysteriously ,
environment 6 Alex discovers that his uncle used to be a spy.
there 7 who 8 5 Horowitz has written more books about Alex Rider. There are ten of
the books altogether.
her 9
6 I don’t have a copy of the book, but my son has a copy .
Paragraph C: the idea 10
7 I didn’t see the film of Stormbreaker, but my son saw the film .
the movie 11
this 12 him 13 6 Choose the best word to complete the sentences.
1 Tiger Woods is probably/fortunately still one of the world’s greatest
Paragraph D: did 14
golfers.
which 15 then 16 2 Unexpectedly/Unfortunately, I’ve never had the chance to go to a
Paragraph E: whom 17 Madonna concert.
3 Jacqueline Wilson writes books for young people. Amongst girls she
that 18
is luckily/very likely even more popular than JK Rowling.
4 a The underlined adverbs 1–5 from 4 Wayne Rooney is my favourite footballer. Reluctantly/Sadly, he is not
the article can add detail and personal playing as well as he used to.
comment to a piece of factual writing. 5 Jamie Oliver’s TV cookery series unwillingly/suddenly made him an
Match adverbs 1–5 to similar words or overnight success.
expressions a–e.
7 a Think of a person who you admire. It could be a writer, sports
1 unfortunately b person, actor, singer, politician or someone you know. Find out
2 reluctantly about him/her and make notes in the table.
3 suddenly
early life
4 luckily
personal information
5 probably
career achievements
a unexpectedly
why you admire him/her
b sadly

c unwillingly b Write a short biography of the person.

● Use your notes from 7a.
d fortunately
● Use words in 3 to avoid repetition.
e very likely
● Use adverbs to add interest or personal comment. Choose from the
b Find the underlined adverbs 1–5 in the ones in 4 as well as others you know.
article. Which ones are used: ● Read and check for mistakes.
1 at the beginning of the sentence? ● Give your biography to your teacher next class.

,
Tick the things you can do in English in the
2 before the main verb? Reading and Writing Progress Portfolio, p88.
, ,

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