Add line breaks to a text variable used in a text entry field

Hi there, so I am having some issues with a particular interaction I need to create in SL (I am using the most recent version). 

I have an exercise where the learner is shown a biography, which is 4-5 paragraphs of text. They must edit this Bio to match company standards-- then, on the next slide, they are shown their edited version next to a "model" version of the Bio. 

The problem: I cannot get any line breaks to appear in my text variable, which is in the text entry field. I have tried formatting as needed within the text entry field, copy/pasting it into the text variable default value, but this doesn't work; it only pastes up to where the first line break is. 

I have also tried HTML <br> but that doesn't work either. 

The default text variable must be editable- without deleting all the text in the field. The learner should be able to use the scroll bar to add, delete, edit the text variable as needed- and then have their edited version display on the next slide. 

Any advice on how to accomplish this is MUCH appreciated!