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Life stories we
admire

LESSON 6

WRITING

A biography of Walt Disney

PRE-WRITING
1

Work in pairs. Answer these questions, using the information from
Listening. Write NG (not given) if you cannot find the answer.

1. When and where was Walt Disney born?
2. What schools did he attend?
3. What talent did he have?
4. What were his most impressive achievements in filmmaking?
5. What were his other achievements?
6. Was he married and how many children did he have?
7. When did he die?

1. When and where was Walt Disney born?

NG

Walt Disney was one of the most admired people in the film industry. Many of the films created
by his company are very popular with both children and adults.
However, success did not come early for Disney. When he set up his own film company, it was
not very profitable. So, Disney chose to move to Hollywood to start a new career.
There, he developed a character based on a pet mouse he once had, under the name of Mickey
Mouse. He even gave the mouse his own voice. Soon, Mickey Mouse became the world's most
popular cartoon character and Disney was very popular worldwide.
But Disney did not stop there. He went on to produce his first feature-length animated film
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The film became a huge success, earning more than 400
million dollars since its release and eight Oscars, the top award in the film industry. Throughout
his career, Disney won or received 26 Oscars - a record in history.
Besides making films, Disney was also the creator of the first Disneyland theme park which
opened in 1955. Nowadays, there are 12 Disney parks around the world where people can meet
Disney cartoon characters and see live shows of their magical stories.
After his death, The Walt Disney Studios continued to make high-quality live-action and
animated films, such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. His films
continue to inspire both adults and children to follow their dreams.

2. What schools did he attend?

NG

Walt Disney was one of the most admired people in the film industry. Many of the films created
by his company are very popular with both children and adults.
However, success did not come early for Disney. When he set up his own film company, it was
not very profitable. So, Disney chose to move to Hollywood to start a new career.
There, he developed a character based on a pet mouse he once had, under the name of Mickey
Mouse. He even gave the mouse his own voice. Soon, Mickey Mouse became the world's most
popular cartoon character and Disney was very popular worldwide.
But Disney did not stop there. He went on to produce his first feature-length animated film
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The film became a huge success, earning more than 400
million dollars since its release and eight Oscars, the top award in the film industry. Throughout
his career, Disney won or received 26 Oscars - a record in history.
Besides making films, Disney was also the creator of the first Disneyland theme park which
opened in 1955. Nowadays, there are 12 Disney parks around the world where people can meet
Disney cartoon characters and see live shows of their magical stories.
After his death, The Walt Disney Studios continued to make high-quality live-action and
animated films, such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. His films
continue to inspire both adults and children to follow their dreams.

3. What talent did he have?

NG

Walt Disney was one of the most admired people in the film industry. Many of the films created
by his company are very popular with both children and adults.
However, success did not come early for Disney. When he set up his own film company, it was
not very profitable. So, Disney chose to move to Hollywood to start a new career.
There, he developed a character based on a pet mouse he once had, under the name of Mickey
Mouse. He even gave the mouse his own voice. Soon, Mickey Mouse became the world's most
popular cartoon character and Disney was very popular worldwide.
But Disney did not stop there. He went on to produce his first feature-length animated film
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The film became a huge success, earning more than 400
million dollars since its release and eight Oscars, the top award in the film industry. Throughout
his career, Disney won or received 26 Oscars - a record in history.
Besides making films, Disney was also the creator of the first Disneyland theme park which
opened in 1955. Nowadays, there are 12 Disney parks around the world where people can meet
Disney cartoon characters and see live shows of their magical stories.
After his death, The Walt Disney Studios continued to make high-quality live-action and
animated films, such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. His films
continue to inspire both adults and children to follow their dreams.

4. What were his most impressive achievements in film-making?

Walt Disney was one of the most admired people in the film industry. Many of the films created
by his company are very popular with both children and adults.
However, success did not come early for Disney. When he set up his own film company, it was
not very profitable. So, Disney chose to move to Hollywood to start a new career.
There, he developed a character based on a pet mouse he once had, under the name of Mickey
Mouse. He even gave the mouse his own voice. Soon, Mickey Mouse became the world's most
popular cartoon character and Disney was very popular worldwide.
But Disney did not stop there. He went on to produce his first feature-length animated film
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The film became a huge success, earning more than 400
million dollars since its release and eight Oscars, the top award in the film industry. Throughout
his career, Disney won or received 26 Oscars - a record in history.
Besides making films, Disney was also the creator of the first Disneyland theme park which
He
created
Mickeythere
Mouse,
and produced
successful
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opened
in 1955. Nowadays,
are 12 Disney
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world where people
can meet
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as Snow
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Dwarfs. He also won
After his death, The Walt Disney Studios continued to make high-quality live-action and
26
Oscars.
animated
films, such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. His films
continue to inspire both adults and children to follow their dreams.

5. What were his other achievements?

Walt Disney was one of the most admired people in the film industry. Many of the films created
by his company are very popular with both children and adults.
However, success did not come early for Disney. When he set up his own film company, it was
not very profitable. So, Disney chose to move to Hollywood to start a new career.
There, he developed a character based on a pet mouse he once had, under the name of Mickey
Mouse. He even gave the mouse his own voice. Soon, Mickey Mouse became the world's most
popular cartoon character and Disney was very popular worldwide.
But Disney did not stop there. He went on to produce his first feature-length animated film
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The film became a huge success, earning more than 400
million dollars since its release and eight Oscars, the top award in the film industry. Throughout
his career, Disney won or received 26 Oscars - a record in history.
Besides making films, Disney was also the creator of the first Disneyland theme park which
opened in 1955. Nowadays, there are 12 Disney parks around the world where people can meet
Disney cartoon characters and see live shows of their magical stories.
He
theme
park.to make high-quality live-action and
Aftercreated
his death,the
The Disneyland
Walt Disney Studios
continued
animated films, such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. His films
continue to inspire both adults and children to follow their dreams.

6. Was he married and how many children did he have?

NG

Walt Disney was one of the most admired people in the film industry. Many of the films created
by his company are very popular with both children and adults.
However, success did not come early for Disney. When he set up his own film company, it was
not very profitable. So, Disney chose to move to Hollywood to start a new career.
There, he developed a character based on a pet mouse he once had, under the name of Mickey
Mouse. He even gave the mouse his own voice. Soon, Mickey Mouse became the world's most
popular cartoon character and Disney was very popular worldwide.
But Disney did not stop there. He went on to produce his first feature-length animated film
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The film became a huge success, earning more than 400
million dollars since its release and eight Oscars, the top award in the film industry. Throughout
his career, Disney won or received 26 Oscars - a record in history.
Besides making films, Disney was also the creator of the first Disneyland theme park which
opened in 1955. Nowadays, there are 12 Disney parks around the world where people can meet
Disney cartoon characters and see live shows of their magical stories.
After his death, The Walt Disney Studios continued to make high-quality live-action and
animated films, such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. His films
continue to inspire both adults and children to follow their dreams.

7. When did he die?

NG

Walt Disney was one of the most admired people in the film industry. Many of the films created
by his company are very popular with both children and adults.
However, success did not come early for Disney. When he set up his own film company, it was
not very profitable. So, Disney chose to move to Hollywood to start a new career.
There, he developed a character based on a pet mouse he once had, under the name of Mickey
Mouse. He even gave the mouse his own voice. Soon, Mickey Mouse became the world's most
popular cartoon character and Disney was very popular worldwide.
But Disney did not stop there. He went on to produce his first feature-length animated film
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The film became a huge success, earning more than 400
million dollars since its release and eight Oscars, the top award in the film industry. Throughout
his career, Disney won or received 26 Oscars - a record in history.
Besides making films, Disney was also the creator of the first Disneyland theme park which
opened in 1955. Nowadays, there are 12 Disney parks around the world where people can meet
Disney cartoon characters and see live shows of their magical stories.
After his death, The Walt Disney Studios continued to make high-quality live-action and
animated films, such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. His films
continue to inspire both adults and children to follow their dreams.

PRE-WRITING
2 Read some facts about Walt Disney. Then work in pairs to
answer all the questions in Task 1.

1. When and where was Walt Disney born?

He was born in Chicago in 1901.

2. What schools did he attend?

He attended Brenton Grammar School, but dropped
out at the age of 16.

3. What talent did he have?

He had talent for drawing and painting.

PRE-WRITING
2 Read some facts about Walt Disney. Then work in pairs to
answer all the questions in Task 1.

6. Was he married and how many children did he
have?
Yes, he was married and had two children.
7. When did he die?
He died in 1966.

WHILE-WRITING

Write a
biography

The
continued
success/
The impact
on people

Childhood/
Early life and
Education

Write a
biography

Death/
Health
issues

Achievements/
Contributions

Marriage/
Family

Put the following sentences into the correct given contents.
- father to three children.
- co-founded Microsoft in 1975, significantly impacting the
personal computer revolution.
- dropped out in 1975 to focus on Microsoft.
- played a key role in the growth of the personal computer
industry.
- born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington.
- married Melinda French in 1944.
- became an influential figure in the modern world.
- attended Harvard University in 1973 with an initial interest
in law.

I. Childhood/ Early life and Education
- born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington.
- attended Harvard University in 1973 with an initial interest in law.
- dropped out in 1975 to focus on Microsoft.
II. Marriage and Family
- married Melinda French in 1944.
- father to three children.
III. Achievements/ Contributions
- co-founded Microsoft in 1975, significantly impacting the personal
computer revolution.
- played a key role in the growth of the personal computer industry.
IV. The continued success
- became an influential figure in the modern world.

WHILE-WRITING
3

Write a biography (180 words) of Walt Disney.

WHILE-WRITING
Suggested answer
WALT DISNEY – THE FATHER OF MICKEY MOUSE
Walt Disney is famous around the world for making a lot of successful films, which are
loved by children and adults of many generations.
Childhood and education
Walt Disney was born in Chicago in 1901. During his childhood, he loved drawing and
painting. He attended Brenton Grammar School, but he left school when he was 16.
Achievements
Disney was a very successful film maker, who created Mickey Mouse and produced
successful animated films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Throughout his
career, Disney won or received 26 Oscars, three Golden Globe Awards, one Emmy
Award – a record in history. 
He is also famous for building the first theme park in the world, called Disneyland.
Now many more Disney parks have been built and have become popular worldwide.

WHILE-WRITING
Family
Walt Disney had three older brothers and a younger sister. He married
Lillian Bounds, and they were together for 41 years. They had one
biological daughter and one adopted daughter.
Death and the continued success of the Walt Disney Studios
Disney died from cancer in 1966, but the Walt Disney Studios continued
to make live-action and animated films. These films inspire people of all
ages to follow their dreams.

c–f–a–d–e-b
POSTRearrange
the following sentences to make a meaningful paragraph
WRITING

a. In 1877, he created the phonograph while he was doing experiments with the
telephone repeater.
b. His determination and innovative spirit made him one of the most famous
figures in history.
c. Thomas Edison, a brilliant inventor, was born in 1847 in Ohio, USA. His
childhood was marked by curiosity, and at a young age, he developed a keen
interest in science.
d. In 1879, he successfully created the first practical electric light bulb,
revolutionising the way people lived.
e. Thomas Edison passed away on October 18,1931.
f. Edison's education was informal, but his passion for learning and
experimentation led him to numerous inventions.

CONSOLIDATI
ON
Homework

• Do exercises in the workbook.
• Prepare for Lesson 7 – Communication &
Culture.

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