UAE University, University College, Foundation Program, English DepartmentLevel 1 Writing

Information Transfer #2:Writing about a Biographical Timeline

Exam Information The exam will be on ___________. It is worth ______% of your FP English mark. you will write a short essay about the life of a famous person. You must write ____ words in ______ minutes.

Portfolio Worksheets Mini Project (Monday) Practice Test (Tuesday) Writing Center Visit

Grammar Focus Verbs in the ______ tense (regular and

_____________) Prepositions Pronouns Time order words How to connect sentences (punctuation, connecting words)

Vocabulary Life events

Resources Worksheets iBook, Unit 8 Past Tense Grammar - Lots of Online Practice - http://wp.me/p5kqyM-a Mary’s blog: www.uaeul1writing.wordpress.com Sheikh makhtoum lesson

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ScheduleIn class Practice/Prepare (HW) PORTFOLIO

Tasks:

o Worksheets

o Mini project

o Practice test – 2

drafts

o Grammar quiz

Sunday o model essay

o 5 keys

o guided practice

o Ibn Sina

o Connecting Sentences

o HW: take notes for mini

project)

Monday o Review (PD and UK)

o Writing the intro

o mini project - Portfolio

o Emily Nasrallah

o Practice Introductions

o Complete your mini project

(3 parts)

Tuesday Error Correction – P. Hayat

Practice Test

Writing and grammar

(verbs + prepositions)

Re-writing Princess Hayat

Verbs – Um Kulthoum

Wednesday o Exam

Preview1. Who is in the picture?

a. Cleopatra

b. Marie Curie

c. Queen Elzabeth

d. Queen Rania

2. Write 3 things you know about her.

3. Write 3 questions you have about her life.

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Model EssayRead the essay and complete the timeline.

The Dangerous Life of Cleopatra

Cleopatra was one of the most famous rulers in history, but she had a very difficult

life.

She was born in 69 BCE in Alexandria, Egypt. When she was a child, she studied

many subjects, and she learned about the government of her country. In addition, she learned

many languages. When her father died in 51 BCE, she became the queen. She was just 18 years

old! Three years later, she ran away from her country because her brother wanted to kill her. In

46 BCE, she went to Rome with her husband, Julius Caesar. He was an important Roman leader

and general. Unfortunately, in 44 BCE, the people of Rome killed Julius Caesar. Several years

later, Cleopatra married Mark Antony in 37 BCE. Mark Antony was also a general in Rome. The

Romans attacked Egypt in 32 BCE, so one year later, she escaped to Alexandria with Antony. They

died in 30 BCE. After they died, the Romans invaded Egypt.

Cleopatra had great power, but she did not have a safe life. (173 words)

Check your understanding:

1. When did Cleopatra become queen?

2. What kind of life did she have?

3. Why did she leave Egypt after she became queen?

4. What happened to Julius Caesar?

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Study the report

1. How many paragraphs is the report?2. Highlight the main idea/thesis in the introduction and conclusion.3. Underline the past tense verbs.4. Put a square around the time orders words, and write them below.5. Find examples of combined sentences. (, and - , or - , so – but,

because). Mark the subjects and verbs (“S” and “V”)

For more info about Cleopatra, view this animated video:

VERBS in the PASTReview the reports about 1. Cleopatra and 2. Ibn Sina. Make notes in the chart below to help you remember the verbs (regular and irregular) in the present and the past.

*Remember, there are TWO kinds of past verbs: _________________(ed) and _______________ (no rule)

REGULAR VERBSRegular verbs end in –ed or –d.

IRREGULAR VERBSIrregular verbs don’t end in –ed, and there is no

single spelling rule.

Infinitive Past Infinitive Past

1. (Cleopatra)

2. (Ibn Sina)

Practice with Verbs in the Past - http://wp.me/p5kqyM-a See iBook, p. 90

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PREPOSITION reviewComplete the report with the correct prepositions, and the timeline.

Ibn SinaIbn Sina is one ____ the fathers of modern medicine.

Dr. Sina was born ____ 980 ____ Bukhara, Central Asia. He was a

very intelligent boy, and he learned the Koran and many classical

Arabic texts before he was 10 years old. ____ 990 ____ 996, he studied philosophy, math and

science. Next, ____ 996, he decided ____ study medicine, and he became a doctor ____ 998. He

was only 18 years old! After that, he moved ____ Tehran ____ 1001. He worked as a doctor, and

he began his famous book Qanun al-Tibb. ____ 1010 ____ 1025, he did many things. He traveled,

he taught, and he wrote more books ____ medicine and science. He also spent a short time ____

prison. Then, ____ 1025 ____ 1035, he was a special advisor and doctor ____ a Persian ruler.

Finally, he died ____ 1037 ____ the age of 57.

After Ibn Sina’s death, medical schools ____ Europe used his books ____ the next 700 years.

He was truly a great doctor and scientist.

On the exam/timeline Your Sentences Born - June 6, Al Ain He was born in Al Ain on June 6.

Born - June 1971, Dubai She was born in 1971 in DubaiMove – 1990 London She moved to London in 1990

1987 - 1990 Between 1987 and 1990, he / she -------From 1987 to 1990, he / she she -------- He/ She has

UAEU, 1988-1992 He studied at UAEU from 1988 to 1992

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Graduate – UAEU – B. Comm. She graduated from UAEU with a B.Comm degree.

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Connecting SentencesConnecting Word (CW)

Connects what? Example

, and similar ideas Cleopatra studied her government, and she ___________ ______________________________.

, but opposite ideas She was very rich, but her life was very _________

, so 1st idea first The ILC is open all the time, so ________________

because 2nd idea first The ILC is popular because ____________________

Exercise: Write complete sentences using the connecting words given. Compare with a partner.

1. Khaled misses his brother, so ______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

2. Cleopatra’s brother tried to kill her, so _____________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

3. I would like to spend more time with my friends, but __________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

4. Last month I finished high school, so _______________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

5. Last month, we travelled to KSA by car, and __________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

6. Cleopatra was very famous, but ___________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

7. I like to get good scores at school, so ____________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

8. She was absent from class because ________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

9. She was absent from class, so ____________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

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PRACTICE REPORT: TIMELINE OF FAMOUS PERSON

Directions: Use all of the information in the timeline to write a report. Write 120-150 words, in FP format. Use past tense verbs, time order words, and combined sentences.

The timeline shows the life of _________________________. He is

_______________________________________________________.

Chan ____born ____ _______ ______ ________. ____ 1959, he

______ to primary school, but ____________________________________.

In ____________, he _______________ regular school, ______ he _________

studying ________________________________________________________.

In _____________________________________________________________.

The next year, in ________, he ______________________________________

____ Hong Kong. Six years ______________, he _______________________

__________________________________. _____ 1980, he ________________

_____________________________________ in the USA, but _____________

_________________________________________________. In __________,

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_________________________________________________and the next year,

he _________________ Lin Fen Jaio, from Taiwan. In ________________,

_______________________________________ a baby. ________ 1996 ____

__________, people _______________________________________________,

around the world, _________________________________________ very rich.

In 2006, ______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______WORDS

CHECK your writingDid you write in introduction with main idea? □ Yes □ NoDid you write a conclusion? □ Yes □ NoDid you use past tenses? □ Yes □ NoDid you use time order words? □ Yes □ NoDid you combine sentences? □ Yes □ NoDid you write at least 150 words? □ Yes □ NoDid you write the word count? □ Yes □ No

*Points subtracted for Poor formatting -- no name - missing word count – lateExtra help!!

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Writing Center. Sunday, Mon., Tues, Wed., 9-4 and Thur. 9-12Mary’s Office hours Mon. - Wed., 2-3

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Jackie Chan timeline

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Mini Project: Famous PersonDirections: Work with a group of 3 students

1. Collect information about a famous person that you are interested in. You can use the internet (or blog).

2. Take notes about the person. Use only simple words that everyone can understand. Use base verbs

3. Bring your notes and a picture to class

STUDENT NAMES 1) ____________________ 2) ___________________ 3)________________

NOTES

Name of Person _______________________________________________

Why are they famous? __________________________________________

Why did you choose this person? _________________________________

YEAR (s) Event

Born

What is your opinion of this person? ___________________________________

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Famous Person – Draft 1 – everyone in group writes

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Checklist: Biographical Timeline Good Writers CHECK their writing!CONTENT (5 points)

o Enough words (120-150) □ Yes □ Noo info is complete and correct □ Yes □ Noo not copied or repetitive □ Yes □ No

ORGANIZATION (5 points)o 3 paragraphs well separated (intro – body – conclusion) □ Yes □ Noo Good time order words (correct and varied, not repetitive) □ Yes □ No

GRAMMAR (5 points)o Verbs in the past □ Yes □ Noo Combined sentences (PUNCTUATION, CW) □ Yes □ Noo prepositions & pronouns □ Yes □ Noo Other Grammar (#, C [articles: a, an, the]) □ Yes □ No

VOCABULARY (5 points)o variety of expressions □ Yes □ Noo Good spelling □ Yes □ No

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Draft 2 (everyone)

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Checklist: Biographical Timeline Good Writers CHECK their writing!CONTENT (5 points)

o Enough words (120-150) □ Yes □ Noo info is complete and correct □ Yes □ Noo not copied or repetitive □ Yes □ No

ORGANIZATION (5 points)o 3 paragraphs well separated (intro – body – conclusion) □ Yes □ Noo Good time order words (correct and varied, not repetitive) □ Yes □ No

GRAMMAR (5 points)o Verbs in the past □ Yes □ Noo Combined sentences (PUNCTUATION, CW) □ Yes □ Noo prepositions & pronouns □ Yes □ Noo Other Grammar (#, C [articles: a, an, the]) □ Yes □ No

VOCABULARY (5 points)o variety of expressions □ Yes □ Noo Good spelling □ Yes □ No

VERBS - Practice16

Directions:1. Add verbs. 2. (Circle) the time order words. 3. Box the prepositions

Umm Kulthum

Umm Kulthum ____________ a very famous singer from Egypt.

Umm Kulthum _____________ born in 1904 in Zahayra, Egypt. When she

____________ five years old, she _____________ the Village School. In 1916, she

____________ a singing group, and in 1923, she __________ to Cairo. From 1923 to

1928, she ___________ at Music School. In 1932, she did concerts in Syria, Iraq,

Lebanon, and Libya. Three years later, she _____________ her first film. In 1937, she

____________ to France for holiday. Between 1940 and 1950, she ___________ a

job at Egypt Radio, and in 1953 she married Hassen Al Hafnaoui. In 1967, she

____________ very ill, and in 1972, she travelled to the USA. She ___________ in

Cairo in 1976.

Umm Kulthoum was an __________________ person. (124 words)

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Practise IntroductionsDirections: Use the information below to write short introductions. Remember to insert verbs, prepositions, connecting words, etc..

(a) Azza Al Qubaisi (1978 - )Businesswoman. Famous jewellery designer. UAE.

(b) Bill Gates (1955 - )American businessman, computer programmer and inventor. One of the richest men in the world.

(c) Bruce Lee (1940-1973) Martial artist, film star

(d) Cristiano Ronaldo (1985 - )Famous football player. Plays for Real Madrid. Captain of the Portuguese national team.

Body Sentences Directions:

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Practice writing the same information in different ways You can change the words (but not the meaning) from the timeline Use the worksheet “Expressions” (p. __ ) to help you, and see the example below.

(a) EXAMPLE Azza Al Qubaisi1978 1998 2002

She began her artistic career in 1998. Four years later, she graduated from Guildhall University.

Or

When she was 20 years old, she started her artistic career in 1998. In 2002, she graduated from Guildhall University.

(b) Bill Gates

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1968-1973 19731

graduate London Guildhall University

begin her artistic career

born Abu Dhabi

1973 -19761955

attend Lakeside School, Seattle – interested in computers

study Harvard University – Maths and Economics

born October 28 Seattle, USA.

Or

(c) Bruce Lee1940 1941

(e) Cristiano Ronaldo (1985 - )

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family travel back to Hong Kong

born 27 November

San Francisco

200019951985

join Sporting Lisbon Soccer club

have heart operation - successful

born February 5, 1985 – Madeira, Portugal.

family poor.

BODY PARAGRAPH EXPRESSIONS you should know

verb Simple present Simple past

Examples

to be am /is /are ____/ ____ Her parents _________ from Saudi Arabia.

to have

to spend (time)

has / have

spend / spends __________

She _________an accident

She _________two years in Abu Dhabi and then _________to Dubai in 2009.

to be born

Is born _____ ____

Noor _______ _______ in Lebanon, in 1987.

Aisha _______ _______ on February 16, 1987.

Aisha _______ _______ in Ras Al Khaimah, in the UAE, on February 16, 198.7

to marry marry / marries

get/gets married __________

__________

She _______ _______ in 2009

He _______ _______ in 1998

She _________Ahmed in July, 2011.

to attend attend / attends __________ She _________High School from 2005 to 2012

to graduate

graduate / graduates

__________ He _________with a BA degree from UAEU in 1999

to take take / takes __________ Mariam _________dancing classes

to get get / gets __________ He _________ (won) a Gold Medal at the Olympics.

to study study / studies

__________

She _________at Yale University, USA, for three years.

From 2008 and 2010, Alia _________at UAEU.

She _______ _______ a B.Comm at Oxford University for three years.

to live live / lives

__________

From 2001 to 2010 Mohammed _________in Al Ain.

(Mohammed _________in Al Ain from 2001 to 2010.)

to start start / starts __________ Azza _________her own company in 2009

Ahmed _______ _______ for the police when he was

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eighteen.

to leave leave / leaves After she _________school in 2006, Khadija _________to UAEU.

(Khadija _________school in 2006 and the following year she _________UAEU.)

to make make / makes __________ Naima _________her first film in 1998

to move

to join

move / moves

join / joins

__________

__________

Mohammed _________in Al Ain from 2001 to 2010. A year later, in 2011, he _________to Dubai and joined the police force.

to work work / works __________ Between 2006 and 2009, Mohammed _________for the government as a soldier. Then he _________the army to run his own / and ran/ _________his own business.

to become

become / becomes

__________ She _________a mother/ a designer / an architect/ an ambassador for UNICEF the following year.

to play play / plays __________ He _________for Al Ain Football Club in 2013.

to go go / goes __________ She _________to Yale University to study Law.

She _________for a BA at UAEU and _________in 2010.

to begin begin / begins __________ Noor _________her career as a policewoman in 2007. The next year she was promoted.

to win win / wins __________ She _________many awards.

to retire retire/retires __________ He _________from his job when he was fifty-five.

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Time Words PracticeDirections: Complete the example answer using time order words from the box. One of the choices is NOT used.

Princess Diana (1961-1997)

The timeline shows the life of Princess Diana, who was a very

famous princess from England.

Diana was born in Norfolk England 1)______ 1961.

2)___________ she was five years old, her parents got divorced. 3) ___________

1973 to 1977, she attended three different schools. She met Prince Charles

4)___________ 1977, and she taught him to dance. 5)______________________,

she moved to London, and she got a job at a preschool. 6)______ 1981, she married

Prince Charles, and 750 million people watched on TV. 7)___________ 1982 and

1984, she had two children. Sadly, 8)___________ 1986 to 1996, she had many

problems with her husband, and 9)______ 1996, they got divorced. 10)

____________________________, 1997, she died in a terrible car crash in France.

Princess Diana was very famous and beautiful, but her life was very difficult.

(130 words)

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Tips: Using two verbs at a time

You can (often, not always!) put two verbs together by using an infinitive (to + base) for the second verb.

Example: Timeline: Decide – go London for holidayYour sentence: Last year, I decided to go to London for holiday

1. Timeline (my husband): Want – make pasta for dinner.Your sentence: Last night, my husband_____________________________________

2. Timeline (Aisha): Last year / Company begin / be successful Your sentence: Last year, my company______________________________________

3. Timeline (Aisha): 1996 – 1998 / work hard / make her company successfulYour sentence: _________________________________________________________

4. start / write stories Your sentence: _________________________________________________________

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Emily NasrallahFamous writer of children’s stories from Lebanon.

Part A. Write sentences about her life, using the information and verbs below.

Example: Emily - born - Lebanon - 1931Emily was born in Lebanon in 1931. .

1. she - very bright – student

2. her family - poor - her uncle - pay - high school fees

3. after high school - Emily - study - American University of Beirut

4. she - first girl from her village - go – university

5. university - she - start - write - stories – articles

6. Emily - graduate - university - 1958 - BA degree in Education

7. two years later - marry - Phillip Nasrallah - four children

8. 1962 – write – first novel – win - three Arabic literary prizes

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Part B. Listen & Respond. Listen to the beginning of a story by Emily Nasrallah. http://www.emilynasrallah.com/arabic/books/anda.html

1. What happened in the story? Write several sentences.

2. What is your opinion about it? Write a few sentences.

3. How do you think the story will end? Write a few sentences.

Part C. More Practice/ Credit: Make a timeline and/or report for Emily Nasrallah (10 points). For more extra credit, take your report to the writing center. (10 points)

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Azza Al Qubaisi

Azza Al Qubaisi is a famous jewelry designer from the UAE. The timeline of her life is given below.

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Practice On Your Own (at home)

Select a timeline (Bruce Lee, or Azza al Qubaisi) to write about. Check your work with the checklist.

PRACTICE : Information Transfer #3: BIOGRAPHY TIMELINE

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Checklist: Biographical Timeline Good Writers CHECK their writing!CONTENT (5 points)

o Enough words (120-150) □ Yes □ Noo info is complete and correct □ Yes □ Noo not copied or repetitive □ Yes □ No

ORGANIZATION (5 points)o 3 paragraphs well separated (intro – body – conclusion) □ Yes □ Noo Good time order words (correct and varied, not repetitive) □ Yes □ No

GRAMMAR (5 points)o Verbs in the past □ Yes □ Noo Combined sentences (PUNCTUATION, CW) □ Yes □ Noo prepositions & pronouns □ Yes □ Noo Other Grammar (#, C [articles: a, an, the]) □ Yes □ No

VOCABULARY (5 points)o variety of expressions □ Yes □ No

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o Good spelling □ Yes □ No

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Practice On Your Own (in class practice test)

Select a timeline (Bruce Lee, or Azza al Qubaisi) to write about. Check your work with the checklist.

PRACTICE : Information Transfer #3: BIOGRAPHY TIMELINE

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Checklist: Biographical Timeline Good Writers CHECK their writing!CONTENT (5 points)

o Enough words (120-150) □ Yes □ Noo info is complete and correct □ Yes □ Noo not copied or repetitive □ Yes □ No

ORGANIZATION (5 points)o 3 paragraphs well separated (intro – body – conclusion) □ Yes □ Noo Good time order words (correct and varied, not repetitive) □ Yes □ No

GRAMMAR (5 points)o Verbs in the past □ Yes □ Noo Combined sentences (PUNCTUATION, CW) □ Yes □ Noo prepositions & pronouns □ Yes □ Noo Other Grammar (#, C [articles: a, an, the]) □ Yes □ No

VOCABULARY (5 points)o variety of expressions □ Yes □ No

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o Good spelling □ Yes □ No

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Common mistakes – Timeline – Azza – Bruce LeeP – punctuation/comb – combining sentences

1. She was born in 1978, twelve years later, she began her artistic career.

2. 1n 1965, he did his first TV show, “The Green Hornet” have a son, Brandon.

3. In 1946, he made his first movie, in 1953 he began Kung Fu lessons.

TW - Time Words

1. Between 2003 to 2005, she worked hard to make her company a success.

2. In next year, she had an exhibition.

3. After two years, she graduated from Guildhall University in London.

V - Verbs

1. Between 2003 and 2005, she worked hard to made her company successful.

2. In 1946, he maked his first movie.

3. In 1953, he was began taking Kung Fu lessons.

4. In 2005, her company began to was successful.

5. In 2006, she creates the “Angel Tears” Pearl collection.

6. The timeline show the life of Azza Al Qubaisi.

Pro - pronouns

1. She celebrated 10th anniversary.

2. Her began her artistic career in 1998

Prep – preposition

1. He studied philosophy university

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Error Correction - PracticeDirections: Correct the errors that are marked in the report about Princess Hayat

Princess Haya bint Al Hussein (1974 - ..….)

V C V C P V

The timeline show the life of princess haya bint Al Hussein, she the wife of the Prime

V

Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai (V). She also the daughter of the late King of Jordan.

pro V prep VT

Her born in 1974 on Amman, Jordan. In 1985, she attend the Badminton Boarding

prep VT prep –art - C prep

School for Girls – Bristol, UK. She win a bronze medal for show jumping – Pan arab games on

prep

Syria in 1992. Next, from 1992 and 1995, she studied at St. Hilda’s College at Oxford

P prep – art # V

University, she graduated BA degree. When she was 30 year old, in 2004, she was married His Highness

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum. In 2006, she was elected president of the FEI (International

Equestrian Federation). The next year, she born a baby daughter named Sheikha Al Jalila, and in 2012,

she haves

another baby named Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed.

Princess Haya had an amazing life, she achieved a lot. (about 150 words)

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Scrambled Sentences

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The Life of Nancy Ajram1. The timeline / shows / the life / of Nancy Ajram. / She / is /a famous singer

/ from Lebanon. 2. Ms. Ajram / was born / on / 16-May, 1983 in / Beirut, Lebanon. 3. When / she / was / 12 years old, / she / won / a TV talent show. 4. From / 1995 to 1998, / she / studied / music, / and / she / made / her first /

CD / in 1998. 5. In 2003, she made her third CD, and she became very famous and rich! 6. The next year, in 2004, she began to advertise Coca Cola in the Middle

East. 7. Between 2004 and 2007, she made many CDs and music videos, and she

made some films. 8. In 2007, she appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show. 9. In 2008, she married Fadi Hachem and she won the World Music Award. 10. On 16-May-2009, she had a baby, named Mila, and in 2010, she

started to work for UNICEF to help poor children. 11. Nancy Ajram is a very popular singer, and she has a very interesting

life.156 words

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Timeline of Your LifeComplete the timeline below so that it is true for you. Add any dates that you need to add. Then, write a report about your life on A4 paper. Take it to the writing center, and then re-write it.

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born

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