The man who draws cities from memory

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: The man who draws cities from memory

Warm-up

Have you ever drawn a picture from memory?

Vocabulary Match

detail •• found to have
talent •• learning problem
autism •• journey
trip •• recall
memory •• clear features
diagnosed •• skill

Vocabulary Answers

detailclear features
talentskill
autismlearning problem
tripjourney
memoryrecall
diagnosedfound to have

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

Stephen Wiltshire was a quiet boy who didn't talk much. He was ________ with ________ when he was three. At school, he didn't join in much, but he loved drawing.

One day, after a school ________ around London, Stephen surprised everyone. He drew the whole city from ________. His pictures showed every building and street in great ________. People couldn't believe it.

Stephen didn't know he had such a special ________. Later, he flew over cities like New York and Rome and drew them from memory, too. Now, Stephen is a famous artist, known all over the world for his amazing city drawings.

Stephen Wiltshire was a quiet boy who didn't talk much. He was diagnosed with autism when he was three. At school, he didn't join in much, but he loved drawing.

One day, after a school trip around London, Stephen surprised everyone. He drew the whole city from memory. His pictures showed every building and street in great detail. People couldn't believe it.

Stephen didn't know he had such a special talent. Later, he flew over cities like New York and Rome and drew them from memory, too. Now, Stephen is a famous artist, known all over the world for his amazing city drawings.

Quiz

  1. What condition was Stephen diagnosed with when he was three?
  2. What did Stephen do after a school trip around London?
  3. Which cities did Stephen fly over and draw from memory?
  4. What is Stephen known for today?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. Autism.
  2. He drew the whole city from memory.
  3. New York and Rome.
  4. His amazing city drawings.

True or False

  1. Stephen talked a lot as a child. T F
  2. He showed his pictures in every building and street. T F
  3. Stephen is a famous artist today. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. False
  3. True

Conversation

A:Stephen, your drawings are incredible!
B:Thank you! I just love drawing cities.
A:How do you remember all those details?
B:I don't know, it just happens!
A:Well, you're famous now!
B:I still can't believe it!

Discussion

  1. Have you ever been on a school trip?
  2. Do you like drawing or painting?
  3. What city would you like to draw from memory?
  4. Do you know anyone with a special talent?
  5. Would you like to be a famous artist?

Further Reading

https://www.stephenwiltshire.co.uk/biography

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