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CHARLIE CHAPLIN – A COMIC GENIUS

One of the most important and influential figures in the history of motion pictures, Charlie Chaplin was perhaps the greatest comedian to have ever lived. He made his reputation in 1914 when, in his second film, Kid Auto Races at Venice, he introduced the world to the helpless “little tramp.” With his smudge moustache, baggy trousers and bowler hat, and twirling his cane, the tramp soon had cinema audiences entranced. It was a fantastic creation, stirring up emotions, both happy and sad, and Chaplin played that classic role in more than 70 films during his career, earning him both a fortune and international fame.

Chaplin’s beginnings never promised such success. Though born into a wealthy London family, the good times quickly disappeared. His father deserted when Charlie was an infant (and later died of alcoholism) and his mother, a successful music hall star, had a nervous breakdown and was sent to an asylum. Charlie thus found himself in an orphanage. It was the theatre that gave Chaplin his first release from the pressures of troubled life. He made his debut in 1894, appearing on stage with his mother. Later he became part of Fred Karno’s music hall troupe and went with them on their American tour of 1912. It was while the company was in the United States that the young Chaplin was spotted by the film director Mack Sennett and signed to Keystone Films at 150 dollars a week. Over the next few months Chaplin made dozens of films for Keystone many of which featured his newly created “little tramp” character.

From: Speak Up. Agosto 1999 – no 147 (adapted).

Select the proposition (s) in which the beginning of the sentence can be CORRECTLY matched with both alternatives, according to the text.

01. With his “little tramp” character Chaplin

a) received a large amount of money.

b) became famous all over the world.

02. Charlie Chaplin’s beginnings were not easy because

a) his family had serious problems.

b) his father abandoned him and his mother got a mental illness when he was just a little boy.

04. As a “little tramp” Chaplin used to wear

a) loose trousers.

b) a hat with a round hard top.

08. In 1912 Chaplin

a) traveled with a music hall company around the United States.

b) made a show with his mother.

16. Every month Chaplin

a) received almost two hundred dollars.

b) was invited to make a new film.