Agatha Christie is/was a writer

[Nonverbis]

English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy, second edition.
Page 289.
Additional exercises.
Ex. 8.
Task 10.

Please, have a look at the screenshot:



I answered: She is a writer who died in 1976. My logic is that she is now considered a writer, never ceased to be one and will be a writer for future generations.

But the answer is:



Could you comment on this case?

 

[GoesStation]

She's no longer living, so she no longer has a profession.

 

[Glizdka]

Not a teacher
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She is a writer who died in 1976.

I find it very strange that is and died are in the same sentence.

She was a writer who died in 1976.

It sounds perfectly normal.

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Shakespeare is my favourite writer.

I have no problem with that even though I know he's dead.

Shakespeare was my favourite writer.

It sounds like he's not your personal favorite writer anymore. Who is it now, then? I bet Dostoevsky.

 

[jutfrank]

I think your logic is fine and that your answer of is is not too bad. Still, was is better as the context is focusing on her (past) life, not her present continuing existence.