8
A1
Module B ▫ People in the USA
BILL Gates
He is the most famous businessman in the world and one of its
richest men.
He embodies the digital era and is
responsible for changing the way
we live.
A Harvard dropout 1, William
Henry Gates III is the co-founder
and chairman of Microsoft
Corporation, the world’s biggest
software company, which
he created out of
nothing.
His programs are used by most
computers around the world and
Microsoft dominates Internet.
Boyish-looking Gates
was born in 1955,
is married and
the father of a
young daughter.
He wears flannel
shirts, jeans and
tennis shoes to the
office, is an avid golfer
and loves doing puzzles in
his spare time.
Given the choice he prefers a
hamburger and fries over a fancy
three-course meal any day.
His speech is full of adolescent
expressions like “really neat,
Module B ▫ People in the USA
One of the many Microsoft
buildings all over the world;
the main one is in Redmond
9
super cool and random to the
max” 2.
I’m through3 but little do they
know I’ve only just begun”.
This American is the owner of a
$ 40 million house with a 30-car
garage on Lake Washington, just
outside of Seattle.
During his career in Microsoft
he has created a giant of
political, economic, cultural and
technological power, feared and
envied by his competitors.
In America he is called the
“master of the country” and to
keep inspiration coming he has
photographs of Albert Einstein,
Leonardo da Vinci and Henry
Ford in his office at Microsoft.
His personal motto is borrowed
from the basketball champion
Michael Jordan “They may think
Those who have tried to copy
him have met with little success,
because there is only one Bill
Gates.
1. chi abbandona gli studi.
2. linguaggio tipico dei giovani per dire:
bello, fantastico.
3. (credono che sia) finito.
ACTIVITIES
TRUE/FALSE
QUESTIONS
MULTIPLE
CHOICE
Decide if these sentences are true (T) or false (F).
1. Bill Gates has a degree from Harvard University.
2. He is the head of Microsoft Corporation based in Seattle, Washington. 3. He is a typical manager who wears a suit and tie to the office everyday. 4. He plays basketball with Michael Jordan in his spare time. 5. He and his partner created Microsoft about 18 years ago. 1. How has Microsoft become the most successful software company in the word?
2. Just how wealthy is Bill Gates?
3. Where is Bill Gates’ house located?
4. Can you translate his personal motto into Italian? Why do you think he chose this?
5. Which famous historical figures keep Bill Gates company at work?
6. Who were these men and why do you think Gates is inspired by them?
Complete the sentences by choosing the correct ending.
1. A recent Forbes Magazine survey revealed that

Gates is one of the world’s most famous businessmen.

B
ill Gates has changed the way we live.

Bill Gates is one of the world’s richest businessmen.
2. Microsoft Corporation



turns televisions into electronic terminals.
is a political, economic and technological giant.
m
akes the majority of the world’s computers.
3. Bill Gates finds inspiration from

sports heroes like Michael Jordan.

men like Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci and Henry Ford.

d
oing puzzles and playing golf in his spare time.
T F
T F
T F
T F
T F