UNIVERSIDAD JUÁREZ AUTÓNOMA DE TABASCO

CENTRO DE ENSEÑANZA DE LENGUAS EXTRANJERAS

INGLÉS 2 UNIT 4: BIOGRAPHIES
NAME:______________________________________________________________ NUMBER: __________

Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson was a singer, songwriter, dancer, and celebrity icon
with a lot of hit songs. He became an instant star at age 11 as the leader
singer of his successful group, The Jackson 5. But that band of brothers was
just the beginning to the fame that Michael Jackson got as a solo artist in the
80’s with the success of "Off the Wall", "Thriller", and "Bad". Those three albums
launched Jackson into the fame.

Jackson was one of the first artist to launch music videos in the 80’s. The debut of the
video of the song “Thriller,” considered the most important video in music history, further
heightened Jackson’s celebrity. Thriller topped the charts for nine months (37 weeks) and
remained in Billboard’s album chart for more than two years (122 weeks). Jackson won eight
Grammy Awards with the album “Thriller”. Also, he won seven American Music Awards with that
album. In 1985, The Guinness Book of Records proclaimed “Thiller” as the Best-Selling Album of All
Time. That album has sold over 29 million copies in The U.S.A. alone, making it the best-selling album
in history.
From the moment that Thriller made Jackson a phenomenon in 1983, the media reported and
analyzed Jackson’s every move: his quirks, his apparent predilection for children and his plastic
surgeries made headlines.
In 2009, The tour called “This Is It” never took place, because Michael Jackson died on June 25th,
2009, from a cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, California. The world received news of Jackson’s
death with shock. Michael Jackson's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was found guilty of
involuntary manslaughter nearly two and a half years after Jackson’s death.
Activity 1. Read Michael Jackson’s biography and answer the questions below
1. What happened in Michael Jackson’s life at age 11?
__________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. How many Grammy Awards did Michael Jackson win with the album thriller?
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. What happened in 1985 in Jackson’s professional career?
____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
4. When did Michael Jackson die and what was the reason?
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
5. What happened to Dr. Conrad Murray after Jackson’s death?
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
 UNIVERSIDAD JUÁREZ AUTÓNOMA DE TABASCO
CENTRO DE ENSEÑANZA DE LENGUAS EXTRANJERAS
INGLÉS 2 UNIT 4: BIOGRAPHIES
NAME:______________________________________________________________ NUMBER: __________

Actress Nicole Kidman was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1967. Her father,
Nicole Kidman an Australian, was a student in Hawaii at the time. When Nicole was 4
years old, her family returned to Australia, and she grew up in a suburb of
Sydney.
Kidman got interested in acting at an early age. Her first experience came
when she was 6 years old and she played the role of a sheep in her school’s
Christmas pageant. She studied drama and dance through her teen years. She
got a couple of TV parts before she made her breakthrough: In 1985, the
Australian Film Institute named her “The Actress of the Year” for her role in
the TV miniseries "Vietnam". She was only 17 years old. In 1989, Kidman
appeared in the movie "Dead Calm". That performance earned her the lead role
in her first American movie, "Days of Thunder". Her co-star was Tom Cruise.
They both fell in love and started an intense romance, Kidman and Cruise got
married in Colorado on Christmas Eve, in 1990.

During the marriage, Kidman’s career continued to grow. She and Cruise adopted two
children, and they worked hard to balance their careers and family life. Unfortunately,
the marriage didn't last. Kidman and Cruise got divorced in 2001. After they got
divorced, Kidman threw herself into her work. She starred a high number of high-profile
movies, including the musical "Moulin Rouge". Then, in 2003, she won an Academy Award
and a Golden Globe for her role as Virginia Woolf in the film "The hours".
Activity 2. Read Nicole Kidman’s biography and answer the questions below
1.When and where was Nicole Kidman born?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What happened in Kidman´s life when she was 4?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. When did Nicole´s first experience in acting come and what role did she play?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What happened in Kidman´s life in 1985?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5.When did Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise get married and when did they get divorced?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 UNIVERSIDAD JUÁREZ AUTÓNOMA DE TABASCO
CENTRO DE ENSEÑANZA DE LENGUAS EXTRANJERAS
INGLÉS 2 UNIT 4: BIOGRAPHIES
NAME:______________________________________________________________ NUMBER: __________
Activity 3. Listen to Adam Levine’s
biography and answer the question below.
1. When was Adam Levine born?
On March 18th 1979
On March 8th 1989
On May 9th 1990
2. Where was Adam Levine born?
He was born In Los Angeles, California
He was born in New York
He was born in Long Island
3. Adam Levine studied...
at The Five Towns College in Long Island
at 5 different colleges in New York
in a college in Los Angeles
4. When did Adam Levine Move to New York?
His family moved to New York when he was a kid
He moved to New York when he entered college
He moved to New York when he got married
5.Adam Levine got married...
in 2014, with the supermodel Behati Prinsloo
in 2010 with the singer Behati Prinsloo
in 2004, with the actress Behati Prinsloo
6. When was Adam Levine’s first baby born and what is its name?
It was born on February 15th, 2018 and its name is Gio
It was born on January 18th, 2014 and its name is Grace
It was born on September 21st, 2016 and its name is Dusty
7. Adam Debuted with the album "Songs about Jane" in 2000
True
False
8. Which of the following sentences is FALSE?
In 2005 Levine won the Grammy award for “Best new artist”
Adam got the Bil board music award for “Top radio Song” in 2013
Adam received a Teen Choice Award in 2020
Activity 4. Write the past simple of the following verbs
Appear __________________________________ Aparecer
Be _____________________________________ Ser, estar
Be born ___________________________________ Nacer
Be named __________________________ Ser nombrado
Be proclaimed ____________________ Ser proclamado
Be raised ______________________________ Ser criado
Be selected ______________________ Ser seleccionado
Become ________________________________ Volverse
Begin _________________________________ Comenzar
Debut ___________________________________ Debutar
Die ________________________________________ Morir
Do _______________________________________ Hacer
Form ____________________________________ Formar
Found ____________________________________ Fundar
Get ____________________________ recibir, conseguir
Get divorced _________________________ Divorciarse
Get married______________________________ Casarse
Go ____________________________________________ Ir
Graduate ______________________________ Graduarse
Grow up__________________________________ Crecer
Have_______________________________________ Tener
Have children__________________________ Tener hijos
Launch_____________________________________ Lanzar
Leave___________________________________ irse, dejar
Make_______________________________________ Hacer
Meet_____________________________________ Conocer
Move____________________________________ Mudarse
Perform_______________________________ Presentarse
Play the role of___________________ Hacer el papel de
Raise________________________________________ Criar
Receive____________________________________ Recibir
Record____________________________________ Grabar
Release____________________________________ Lanzar
Star _________________________________ protagonizar
Start_____________________________________ Empezar
Study_____________________________________ Estudiar
Study a major_________________ Estudiar una carrera
Turn ___ years____________________ Cumplir ___ años
Win________________________________________ Ganar
Work____________________________________ Trabajar
Write_____________________________________ Escribir
 UNIVERSIDAD JUÁREZ AUTÓNOMA DE TABASCO
CENTRO DE ENSEÑANZA DE LENGUAS EXTRANJERAS
INGLÉS 2 UNIT 4: BIOGRAPHIES
NAME:______________________________________________________________ NUMBER: __________

Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez (J.Lo) is a multi- talented and influential superstar. She is an actress, singer-
songwriter, record producer, and dancer. She is also a very smart businesswoman and has
used her fame to launch her own fashion line and perfumes.
J.Lo was born in 1969 and she was raised in the Bronx district of New York. She
always dreamed of fame: when she was 19, she started lessons of singing and dancing.
Two years later, she was selected as a dancer for MTV and as a backup singer for
Janet Jackson (she was only 21 years old).
In the 1990s, Lopez appeared in several hit movies. Her performance in the lead role
in ‘Selena’ in 1997 received good reviews. J.Lo has appeared in over 20 movies.
She released her debut album ‘On the 6’ in 1999, which was a top 10 hit in The
U.S.A. She has released a total of seven albums in English and Spanish.
Lopez has expanded her business interests into many areas. In 2003, she launched her
"JLO brand", which is a brand of perfumes with highly popular with young women. Lopez
also owns a restaurant in Miami and a film and television production company

Activity 5. Read Jennifer Lopez’s biography and answer the questions below
1. When was Jennifer Lopez Born?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Where was Jennifer Lopez raised?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What happened in Jennifer Lopez´s Life at 19 years old?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What happened in Jennifer Lopez´s Life at 21 years old?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. When did Jennifer Lopez release his debut album and what was its name?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 UNIVERSIDAD JUÁREZ AUTÓNOMA DE TABASCO
CENTRO DE ENSEÑANZA DE LENGUAS EXTRANJERAS
INGLÉS 2 UNIT 4: BIOGRAPHIES
NAME:______________________________________________________________ NUMBER: __________

Amy Adams’ biography

Activity 6. Write Amy Adams’ biography by using the information in the following card. You must use the verbs in
past simple given in the list on activity 4.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
 UNIVERSIDAD JUÁREZ AUTÓNOMA DE TABASCO
CENTRO DE ENSEÑANZA DE LENGUAS EXTRANJERAS
INGLÉS 2 UNIT 4: BIOGRAPHIES
NAME:______________________________________________________________ NUMBER: __________

Activity 7. Write questions about Amy Winehouse’s life regarding the information that is underlined
Amy Jade Winehouse was a singer and songwriter. She was born on September 14th, 1983 in Southgate,
London, England. Amy became famous for her beautiful voice and for her controversial private life. She grew up
in London, England, in a family that loved jazz. Her musical talents were clear to see from a very young age. In
1993, She formed a rap group called “Sweet 'n' Sour” with a childhood friend, when she was only 10 years old.
She began writing music when she was 15 years old. A few years later, in 2002 she signed a contract with
“Universal Music”, a very important music company, after they heard her distinctive voice.
Amy Winehouse debuted in 2003, at the age of 20 with the album ‘Frank’ and Music lovers everywhere were
excited about Amy’s talents and how her career progressed. Winehouse recorded her second album “Back to
Black” in 2006 and it was a complete success. This album made her an acclaimed international star. She won
many awards with that album, including five Grammys in 2008. Unfortunately, Amy Winehouse’s career ended
very soon: She died on July 23rd, 2011, when she was 27 years old due to drugs and alcohol abuse. The world
lost an amazing talent who had so much more incredible music to offer.
1.Where ___________________________________________________________?
She grew up in London, England.
2.When ____________________________________ the group “Sweet 'n' Sour”?
In 1993, She formed the rap group called “Sweet 'n' Sour”
3.When __________________________________________ writing music?
She began writing music when she was 15 years old.
4.At what age _______________________________________?
Amy Winehouse debuted at the age of 20, in 2003.
5.When ______________________________________________________?
Winehouse recorded her second album “Back to Black” in 2006
6.How many Grammys__________________________________ with the album “Back to Black?
She won five Grammys in 2008 awards with that album.
7._______________________________________________?
She died on July 23rd, 2011.
 UNIVERSIDAD JUÁREZ AUTÓNOMA DE TABASCO
CENTRO DE ENSEÑANZA DE LENGUAS EXTRANJERAS
INGLÉS 2 UNIT 4: BIOGRAPHIES
NAME:______________________________________________________________ NUMBER: __________

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born in Texas in 1981. She grew up singing and dancing. Beyoncé
developed the qualities that would make her an international superstar at a very young age. Her talents

BEYONCÉ
were discovered by her dance teacher while she was a church choir soloist. Beyoncé’s teacher
took her to local talent competitions,where she won many awards.
Beyoncé decided to form a singing group. She asked her best friend LaTavia Roberson to join
the group. She also invited along a cousin and a friend, and together they formed a quartet called
'Destiny's Child'. Beyoncé’s father saw their potential and he quit his well-paid job to
become the group’s manager. They achieved fame quickly as the most successful female
group of all time.
In 1997, “Destiny’s Child” signed with Columbia Records and the debut single, ‘Killing Time’,
was the soundtrack to the film ‘Men In Black’. They recorded many hits, and they won dozens
of awards. Beyoncé went solo in 2000 and her career continued to take off. Knowles won
a BRIT Award for International Female Solo Artist. Also, she got five awards in 2004, at the
Grammy’s Awards. It is important to mention that her career went off in different
directions. She became the first singer to model for ‘Sports Illustrated’ magazine. Beyoncé
appeared in many movies, too. In April 2008, she got married with rapper Jay-Z.

Activity 8. Read the text. Turn the sentences that are underlined into negative sentences

1. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 UNIVERSIDAD JUÁREZ AUTÓNOMA DE TABASCO
CENTRO DE ENSEÑANZA DE LENGUAS EXTRANJERAS
INGLÉS 2 UNIT 4: BIOGRAPHIES
NAME:______________________________________________________________ NUMBER: __________

Activity 9. Your teacher will give you a card that contains an artist’s information. Write that artist’s biography by
using the information in the card. You must use the verbs in past simple given in the list on activity 4.

Pega la tarjeta aquí

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________