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Famous People
Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Pre-Reading Warm Up Questions ☀
1. Have you ever seen a silent movie?
2. Have you ever heard of Charlie Chaplin? If so, have you
Charlie Chaplin was the first movie star and a pioneer in movie
making.
Chaplin was born in London, England, on April 16, 1889. Both his
parents were music hall entertainers. When he was five, his father
died and his mother could no longer care for him. From then on, he
lived on the street and in orphanages. At one of these, he became
part of a musical troupe. At 17, he joined a music hall company and
toured the United States.
ever seen a Charlie Chaplin movie?
3. Do you know the name of the character that Charlie
Chaplin most often played in his movies?
4. What is an Academy Award?
5. Do you know what it means to be “knighted” by the
Queen?
Chaplin spent many years in the United States. In 1914, he played
the “Little Tramp” for the first time in a movie. Dressed in a bowler
hat, baggy pants, and large shoes and carrying a cane, he played this
character in many more movies. People loved the Little Tramp and
Chaplin became a star.
Within a few years, Chaplin was producing, directing, and writing
the screenplay and music for his movies, as well as acting in them.
He became an international star and a wealthy man.
From 1925 to 1947, Chaplin made some of his most famous movies,
most of them featuring the Little Tramp. They were very popular
throughout the world. Many of these films reflected his liberal
political views, especially those he made during World War Two.
In the early 1950s, Chaplin was caught up in the anti-Communist
movement in the United States. While working on a film in
England, he learned he might not be allowed back into the United
States because of his political views. He decided to move to
Switzerland. It was many years before he was again welcome in the
United States. But in 1972, he was given an honorary Academy
Award and in 1975 he was knighted by the Queen.
Over the years, Chaplin was married several times and had
relationships with other women. He was the father of at least 10
children.
Chaplin died on December 25, 1977, in Switzerland.
COMPREHENSION ✍
A. True or False. Read the statements below. If the
statement is true, write T beside the sentence. If it is false,
write F. If it is false, correct the information.
1. Charlie Chaplin had a very easy childhood.
2. Chaplin first joined a musical troupe with his parents.
3. Charlie Chaplin made a lot of money making movies.
4. Chaplin was born in Switzerland and died in England.
5. Chaplin showed his political views in many of his
films.
1
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Famous People
Charlie Chaplin
B. Practice asking and answering the following questions with your partner.
Then write the answers in complete sentences.
1. What did Charlie Chaplin’s parents do?
2. Why did Charlie Chaplin have to live in orphanages?
3. When did Charlie Chaplin first become part of a musical troupe?
4. When did Chaplin first tour the United States?
5. Describe Chaplin’s character, the “Little Tramp”.
6. Besides acting, what else did Chaplin do in the movie industry?
DISCUSS
1. Charlie Chaplin’s parents were both
entertainers. Do you think that influenced his
own career? Explain your answer.
7. Why was Charlie Chaplin not welcome in United States for many years?
2. Many children of famous movie stars and
8. What special honors did Chaplin receive in his lifetime?
other entertainers often try to choose the same
career as their parents. Do you think this is a
VOCABULARY REVIEW ✍
good or bad idea? Explain.
A. Match the words on the left with the correct meaning on the right.
3. Many famous movie actors later become
movie directors. Can you name any?
_____ 1. pioneer
a) a walking stick
_____ 2. orphanage
b) rich
4. Charlie Chaplin made many movies that
_____ 3. tramp
c) let; give permission
reflected his political views. Can you name any
_____ 4. cane
d) well liked by many people
current directors that do the same thing?
_____ 5. star
e) a person who does something before anyone else
_____ 6. wealthy
f) a home for children with no parents
5. What kind of movies do you enjoy? Give
_____ 7. popular
g) showing respect
some examples. What was your favorite movie?
_____ 8. view
h) a very famous entertainer
Explain what you liked about it.
_____ 9. allow
i) opinion
_____ 10. honorary
j) a homeless person; someone who is very poor
B. Choose the word(s) with the closest meaning to the underlined words in the following sentences.
1. Chaplin’s parents were music hall entertainers.
a) ticket sellers
b) performers
2. When Chaplin was in an orphanage, he became part of a musical troupe.
c) teachers
a) instrument
b) home
3. The little Tramp dressed in a bowler hat, baggy pants, and large shoes.
c) performing group
a) big and loose
b) expensive
4. Many of Chaplin’s films featured the Little Tramp.
a) fought
b) showed as the main character
c) beautiful
c) directed
5. Many of Chaplin’s films reflected his liberal political views.
a) refused
b) opposed
c) showed
6. Chaplin was the father of at least 10 children.
a) many
b) no more than
c) no less than
2
Copyright 2009. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
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Famous People
Charlie Chaplin
ANSWER KEY
Please note:
The reading for this topic is also available in full-page format at the end of the lesson (page 4).
PRE-READING QUESTIONS
1-5. Individual answer
READING COMPREHENSION
A. True or False
1. F
2. F
3. T
4. F
5. T
B. Written Answers
1. Charlie Chaplin’s parents were both musical entertainers.
2. Chaplin had to live in an orphanage after his father died and his mother could no longer care for him.
3. Chaplin became part of a musical troupe when he was young and living on the streets.
4. Chaplin first toured the U.S. when he was seventeen.
5. When Chaplin played the character the “Little Tramp” he would dress in a bowler hat, baggy pants, large shoes and
carry a cane.
6. In addition to acting, Chaplin produced, directed and wrote the screenplays and music for his movies.
7. Charlie Chaplin was not welcome in the United States because of his involvement in the anti-communist movement.
8. In 1972, Chaplin was given an honorary Academy Award and in 1975 he was knighted by the Queen for his
contributions to the film industry.
VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT
A. Matching
1. e
2. f
9. c
10. g
3. j
4. a
5. h
6. b
3. a
4. b
5. c
6. c
7. d
B. Complete the sentences
1. b
2. c
3
Copyright 2009. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESL-Llibrary.com in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact info@esl-library.com for complete details.
8. i
Famous People
Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin was the first movie star and a pioneer in movie making.
Chaplin was born in London, England, on April 16, 1889. Both his parents were music hall entertainers. When he
was five, his father died and his mother could no longer care for him. From then on, he lived on the street and in
orphanages. At one of these, he became part of a musical troupe. At 17, he joined a music hall company and toured
the United States.
Chaplin spent many years in the United States. In 1914, he played the “Little Tramp” for the first time in a movie.
Dressed in a bowler hat, baggy pants, and large shoes and carrying a cane, he played this character in many more
movies. People loved the Little Tramp and Chaplin became a star.
Within a few years, Chaplin was producing, directing, and writing the screenplay and music for his movies, as well
as acting in them. He became an international star and a wealthy man.
From 1925 to 1947, Chaplin made some of his most famous movies, most of them featuring the Little Tramp. They
were very popular throughout the world. Many of these films reflected his liberal political views, especially those
he made during World War Two.
In the early 1950s, Chaplin was caught up in the anti-Communist movement in the United States. While working
on a film in England, he learned he might not be allowed back into the United States because of his political views.
He decided to move to Switzerland. It was many years before he was again welcome in the United States. But in
1972, he was given an honorary Academy Award and in 1975 he was knighted by the Queen.
Over the years, Chaplin was married several times and had relationships with other women. He was the father of at
least 10 children.
Chaplin died on December 25, 1977, in Switzerland.
4
Copyright 2009. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESL-Llibrary.com in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact info@esl-library.com for complete details.