READING COMPREHENSION

James Dean was a film star. He made only three films. He died in a car crash in September

1955 near Paso Robles in California. He was only twenty-four years old. But in his short life

James Dean became the symbol of young people. He was the teenage rebel. For years after he

died his studio received 8000 letters a day. His fans couldnt believe that he was really dead.

Today he is still a hero for millions of young people.

James Dean was born in February 1931 in Fairmount, Indiana. When Jimmy was five years old,

his father got a job in Los Angeles and the family moved to California. Three years later his

mother died. Jimmy went back to Fairmount and lived with his aunt and uncle on their farm.

Jimmy loved sport. He was in the school basketball and baseball teams. He also played the

clarinet.

He wanted to be an actor and in January 1952 he went to New York. He made some

advertisements for Pepsi-Cola, appeared in some television programmes and he also worked in

the theatre.

In 1954 James Dean went to Hollywood and he made his first film.

East of Eden made him a star. His second film was Rebel Without a

Cause. In his third and last film, Giant, he starred with Elizabeth

Taylor and Rock Hudson.

In 1955 James Dean was famous. He was rich too rich enough to

buy a fast sport car.

Look at the chart. Look through the text. Put these places and events in the correct order in the chart.

Paso Robles move Hollywood die in a car crash

Fairmount, Indiana make films Los Angeles New York

become an actor born Fairmount, Indiana go to live with aunt and uncle

date place event

1931

1936

1939

1952

1954

1955

Now read the text carefully. Find this information. Find all the words in the text connected with the word actor.

2 sports that James Dean played

his first fim

2 other films that he made

3 things that he did in New York