how to write a biography british council

Search form

Here you can find activities to practise your writing skills. You can improve your writing by understanding model texts and how they're organised.

The learning materials in this section are written and organised by level. There are different types of model texts, with writing tips and interactive exercises that practise the writing skills you need to do well at school, get good marks in your tests and exams, and get more out of your free-time activities.

Take our free online English test to find out which level to choose. Select your level, from beginner (CEFR level A1) to advanced (CEFR level C1), and improve your writing skills at any time and at your own speed.

Choose a level

Are you an elementary (CEFR level A1) learner of English? Practise and improve your writing skills with these texts and exercises.

Are you a pre-intermediate (CEFR level A2) learner of English? Practise and improve your writing skills with these texts and exercises.

Are you an intermediate (CEFR level B1) learner of English? Practise and improve your writing skills with these texts and exercises.

Are you an upper intermediate (CEFR level B2) learner of English? Practise and improve your writing skills with these texts and exercises.

Are you an advanced (CEFR level C1) learner of English? Practise and improve your writing skills with these texts and exercises.

Sign up to our newsletter for LearnEnglish Teens

We will process your data to send you our newsletter and updates based on your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of every email. Read our privacy policy for more information.

• Read and write
• Reading practice
• Level 3 reading

Frida Kahlo biography

Do you know about Frida Kahlo, the famous Mexican artist? Practise your reading in English with this biography.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the other exercises.

Preparation

Frida kahlo.

Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist. Her full name was Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón. She was born in Coyoacán, near Mexico City, in 1907. Frida grew up in a bright blue house called La Casa Azul with her parents and sisters. When she was six years old she became ill with polio and her leg was permanently damaged.

Starting to paint

Frida spent a lot of her life in and out of hospitals. She had many health problems and she suffered a lot of pain. When she was eighteen, she was in a bus accident. She broke lots of bones and she spent many months recovering. It was at this time that Frida started to paint. Many of her paintings from this time are self-portraits that show her pain and suffering.

Married life and career

In 1929 Frida married Diego Rivera, a Mexican artist who was famous for painting huge murals on walls. Both artists continued their work and became successful at home and abroad. After they got married, Frida started to wear traditional Mexican clothes and became interested in Mexican folk art. This influenced her paintings, which are very bright and colourful, with an original style that is very personal to Frida. However, they continued to show the pain and sadness which she experienced during her life.

Death and legacy

Frida Kahlo died on 13 July 1954, after suffering more and more health problems. Her husband died three years later. Today Frida and Diego's home, La Casa Azul, is a very popular museum, dedicated to Frida's life and work. It displays paintings by Frida and Diego, as well as many objects from their life, to help tell the story of one of the most important artists in the twentieth century.

Who are your favourite artists? Tell us about them!

• Log in or register to post comments

English courses for children aged 6-17

Sign up to our newsletter for free learning tips and resources

We will process your data to send you our newsletter and updates based on your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of every email. Read our privacy policy for more information.