Culture
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Eurovision: the ultimate battle of the bands
Is Eurovision silly or serious? Tomorrow, around 200 million people will tune in to watch the grand final of the world’s most outrageous singing competition: the Eurovision Song Contest.
- Culture
- Reading Band 14+
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‘Carry your heart like an egg on a spoon’
Those are the beautiful words of Simon Armitage, the UK’s new poet laureate, announced this week. Poetry will never be mainstream, he says, but today it is more relevant than ever.
- Culture
- Reading Band 11
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Scottish museum to stop calling ships ‘she’
Is this a good idea? For hundreds of years, sailors have called their ships “she”. Now, the Scottish Maritime Museum has decided to “move with the times” and call them “it” instead.
- Culture
- Reading Band 8
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Secrets and wisdom of The Avengers
Avengers: Endgame has finally hit cinemas, a year after the devastating losses caused by the villain Thanos. The film ends over a decade of epic superhero films. What have they...
- Culture
- Reading Band 14+
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Emojis have a history going back 5,000 years
Will we all write in emojis soon? A new British Library exhibition looks at the history of writing, starting with hieroglyphs and ending with emojis. They have more in common than you might...
- Technology
- Culture
- Reading Band 8
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Hope rises from the ashes of Notre Dame
Can France recover? For 855 years, Notre Dame Cathedral has watched over the city of Paris. The worst fire in its history has triggered an outpouring of shock and grief.
- Culture
- Reading Band 14+
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An amazing new Van Gogh exhibition just opened
Is Vincent Van Gogh the greatest artist in history? A major new exhibition of his work has opened at the Tate Britain in London. Who is Van Gogh and why is he so popular?
- Culture
- Reading Band 11
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Kylie Jenner is youngest self-made billionaire
Is she a good role model? Aged 10, Kylie Jenner was a reality TV star who stood in the shadow of her sisters. Now aged 21, she is one of the world’s most successful businesswomen.
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Pancakes, fasting and the meaning of Lent
Should you give things up for Lent? Millions of Christians are staying away from things like chocolate as part of the 40-day countdown to Easter. Is it better to take things up instead?
- Culture
- Reading Band 14+
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Introducing... Marvel’s first female superhero
Are superheroes the best role models? Today, Marvel releases its first movie with a female lead. Captain Marvel has alien powers which make her stronger than Iron Man, Thor or Black Panther.
- Culture
- Reading Band 8
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Fashion world mourns ‘giant’ Karl Lagerfeld
Can clothes change the world? Fashion lovers are mourning Karl Lagerfeld: a designer with a sharp wit and cutting-edge style. The world has lost “a giant among men,” says the editor...
- Culture
- Reading Band 5
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Kids save divided Britain in new Arthur film
Can a child really change the world? In The Kid Who Would Be King, 12-year-old Alex must take up King Arthur’s sword to fight an evil enchantress who returns when Britain is...
- Culture
- Reading Band 14+
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Millions celebrate Chinese Year of the Pig
Do you believe in astrology? This week, one fifth of the world’s population is celebrating Chinese New Year. The Year of Pig promises to bring wealth, joy and relaxation…
- Culture
- Reading Band 11
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2019: Brexit, royal baby and the fate of Thanos
Will 2019 be a good year? They say that predicting the future is a fool’s game — but here are some big events coming up in the next 12 months, including films, sports and a new royal baby…
- Culture
- Reading Band 14+
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2018: a wedding, a World Cup and a car in space
Was 2018 a good year? From Trump and Brexit, to the royal wedding and the World Cup, 2018 has been a year of dramatic ups and downs. Will we remember it fondly?
- Culture
- Reading Band 11