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Life events
I can listen for specific biographical information.
THINK! Do you know any very tall people? What are the good and bad things about being very tall?
Robert Wadlow: The Gentle Giant
The story of the tallest man who ever lived
When was he born?
In February (1) _______ in Alton, Illinois, in the USA.
Where did he grow up and go to school?
In Alton.
Did he have any brothers and sisters?
Yes, he did. He was the oldest of five children. He had (2) _______ and (3) _______.They were all a (4) _______ height.
At what age did he leave school?
He left school when he was (5) _______.
Did he go to university?
Yes, he did, but he left and he didn't get a qualification.
How did he become famous?
He appeared in a circus.
What did people call him?
People called him the Giant of Illinois or the Gentle Giant because he (6) _______ very quietly.
Where did he get a job?
He got a job with the shoe company that made his special shoes.
Did he get married and have children?
No, he didn't.
Did he travel much?
Yes, he did. He visited (7) _______ different towns in the USA when he travelled for the shoe company.
When did he die?
He died at the age of (8) _______ because of a problem with one of his (9) _______.
Robert Wadlow: age and height
1: 1 metres
6: 1.83 metres
12: 2.18 metres
17: 2.51 metres
22: 2.72 metres
1. 🎧2.27 Read the text about Robert Wadlow and check the meanings of the phrases in blue. Write the past simple form of the verbs. Listen and check.
grow up - grew up
2. 🎧2.28 Do you think people in the USA liked or disliked Robert? Listen to a podcast about him and check your answer.
| SKILLS STRATEGY |
| Before you listen again, you should • read the sentences with the gaps. • try to predict what the gaps will be. • listen to the recording while reading the text. • write down the answers. |
3. 🎧2.28 Read the Skills Strategy. Then listen again and complete 1-9 in the text.
4. Write sentences about a person in your family. Use the past simple form of the verbs in the text. He grew up in Hue.
5. 
USE IT! Work in pairs. Compare your sentences in exercise 4.
My dad grew up in Hue.
Really? My dad grew up in Istanbul.
