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.
People didn`t used to have computers to work with, but now we do.
Football players didn`t used to earn so much money but advertising has changed the game completely.
Jim used to go to that school but now he's at university.
I used to eat a lot of chips. I don't any more.
My daughter used to go to Macdonald's but she doesn't anymore because she believes that the food is unhealthy.
I drive a small, economical car now although I used to drive a large, gas-guzzling, four-wheel drive.
He didn`t used to enjoy swimming but he goes every day now.
Used we to have a pet snake when I was small?
