№4. Complete the text by filling the correct words in the gaps.

Comedies member performances

Sonnets dramas middle class

Profits tragedies mayor

Playwrights scripts writer

William Shakespeare was one of the world’s greatest 1)__________. He

lived in England during the second half of the 16th century and the early part

of the 17th century. William grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon, a town where

his father had been 2)__________. His family was 3)__________ and young

William attended a grammar school in Stratford.

Later on Shakespeare went to London to find a job as an actor and

4)__________. It was very difficult because only the best were able to work

there. Between 1592 and 1594, Shakespeare wrote mainly 5)__________ and

poems. All theatres were closed because of the Black Death, which killed millions

of people.

When theatres opened up again he became a 6)__________ of Lord Chamberlain’s

Men, the best acting company in the country. The plays were performed

in the Globe, a round theatre without a roof. The actors and writers owned the

theatre. They bought the costumes and wrote their own 7)__________ . They

also shared their 8)__________.

Plays started in the early afternoon. People who didn’t have money to

buy a seat were allowed to stand in the front. Sometimes there were special

9)__________ for kings and queens.

Shakespeare wrote three types of plays. 10)_________ show the downfall

of one of the characters. 11)_________ are funny plays that have happy endings

and historical plays are 12)________ about the lives of famous English

kings.

In 1610 William retired from the theatre and went back to his home town

Stratford. He died there in 1616.

William Shakespeare was one of the world’s greatest 1)__playwrights___. He lived in England during the second half of the 16th century and the early part of the 17th century. William grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon, a town where his father had been 2)___mayor___. His family was 3)_middle class___ and young William attended a grammar school in Stratford. Later on Shakespeare went to London to find a job as an actor and 4)__  writer___. It was very difficult because only the best were able to work there. Between 1592 and 1594, Shakespeare wrote mainly 5)__sonnets__ and poems. All theatres were closed because of the Black Death, which killed millions of people. When theatres opened up again he became a 6)___member___ of Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the best acting company in the country. The plays were performed in the Globe, a round theatre without a roof. The actors and writers owned the theatre. They bought the costumes and wrote their own 7)_scripts__ . They also shared their 8)__profits__. Plays started in the early afternoon. People who didn’t have money to buy a seat were allowed to stand in the front. Sometimes there were special 9)__performances__ for kings and queens. Shakespeare wrote three types of plays. 10)_tragedies__ show the downfall of one of the characters. 11)__Comedies__ are funny plays that have happy endings and historical plays are 12)__dramas__ about the lives of famous English kings. In 1610 William retired from the theatre and went back to his home town Stratford. He died there in 1616.