Explore the life and accomplishments of Nina Simone with this French reading comprehension activity in printable PDF and Google Slides formats. Choose a one-page reading in simpler French or a two-page reading with a glossary.

Includes six comprehension questions in English and six in French, an answer key, and links to additional resources. Use the two versions to support different reading needs while keeping the class focused on the same singer and civil rights activist.

Two reading versions

Introduce students to Nina Simone’s life, music, and civil rights activism through a French biography reading.

• Simpler version: a one-page article in simpler French, intended for French 1 with support as needed.
• Longer version: a two-page article in standard French with a glossary, intended for French 2 and above.

Choose the version that fits your students’ reading experience. Novice-high and intermediate-low learners may need teacher guidance, while more proficient readers may be able to work independently.

What’s included

• One-page reading in simpler French
• Two-page reading in standard French with a glossary
• Six comprehension questions in English
• Six comprehension questions in French
• Answer key
• Additional resource links, including videos and a website

Printable and Google Slides formats

The printable materials are provided in an 8-page PDF. The Google Slides version includes both reading versions, comprehension questions in English and French, an answer key, and additional resource links.

Choose the print or digital format that works for your classroom.

Ways to use this reading

Use the activity for French reading comprehension practice or as part of a study of music, biography, or civil rights.

It can also support a Black History Month or Women’s History Month lesson in French class. The two reading versions give you options for exploring the same person with students who need different levels of text support.

For an intermediate French reading comprehension lesson, use the longer text and glossary with guidance as needed. More advanced classes can use the article as a starting point for teacher-led discussion or a follow-up writing task.

The included questions provide a starting point for checking understanding; you can build additional discussion and writing activities around your class goals.

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