World News for Students of English

31-03-2026 07:00

Young people in London are trying a creative new way to find love called Date My Mate.

Instead of using dating apps, which many find boring or negative, singles go to a pub where their best friends give a PowerPoint presentation about them.

These pitches last about two minutes and include fun facts, nice photos, and jokes to help their friend find a partner. The event is extremely popular; recently, 150 tickets sold out in just five minutes. Organizers say that usage of the ten biggest dating apps fell by 16% in the last year, showing that people want to return to traditional places like pubs, but with a modern, funny twist. This format allows friends who are already in relationships to help their single mates in a supportive environment. It turns the horrible stories of online dating into a fun social night. After seeing success in the US and Australia, these events are now expected to happen weekly across the UK.

Difficult words: pitch (a short speech to persuade someone), usage (using something or the amount that something is used), twist (a new or unexpected way of doing something that makes it more interesting).

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