Reading Comprehension - A Short Biography of Charlie Chaplin


Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin in "the kid"

Charlie Chaplin was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the silent era. He is mostly famous for his screen persona "the tramp". Born on April 16, 1889 in London, Chaplin is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry. He had been a productive and creative film maker for about 75 years before he died in 1977.

Early life

Chaplin suffered from poverty and hardship in his childhood. He was sent to a workhouse twice before the age of nine. His mother struggled financially when his father was absent. When he was 14, his mother was sent to a mental asylum.


Chaplin's first performances were at music halls as a stage actor and comedian at the age of 19. He went to the USA where he was scouted for the film industry, and began appearing in 1914 for Keystone Studios. He soon developed the Tramp persona and formed a large fan base. Chaplin directed his own films from an early stage, and continued to hone his craft.. By 1918, he was one of the best known figures in the film industry.



  • The Kid (1921),
  • A Woman of Paris (1923),
  • The Gold Rush (1925),
  • and The Circus (1928).

In the 1930s, Chaplin refused to move to sound films. He produced instead:

  • City Lights (1931)
  • and Modern Times (1936)

Both without dialogue.

Later his films became more political by producing , The Great Dictator (1940) where he satirized Adolf Hitler.



His latest films





Source: Wikipedia


  1. Charlie Chaplin had a happy childhood.
    a. True
    b. False
  2. Chaplin started his career in England.
    a. True
    b. False
  3. Chaplin left the USA to live in Switzerland because he was ill.
    a. True
    b. False
  4. Chaplin died at the age of 88.
    a. True
    b. False

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