News by Levels · Level 1 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
“Mogging” Is Collins’ Word of the Year
How to use these two pages
Give learners the student worksheet. It contains the story and questions, without the answers. Keep this guide for yourself. Use it to lead the activity and explain the answers afterwards.
Student worksheetA simple 15–20-minute lesson
- Before reading · 2 minutes
Show the title. Ask: “What do you think this story is about?”
- Read and answer · 8–10 minutes
Give out the student worksheet. Learners read for the main idea, then reread to answer the 3 questions. They can compare answers with a partner.
- Discuss and write · 5–8 minutes
Check the answers below together. Ask learners to point to the clue in the story, then finish with the open question.
Adjust the support: Let learners use word help or Level 1 if needed. For a challenge, compare the wording in another level. This activity is not a proficiency test.
Answers to the 3 questions
The question numbers match the student worksheet. Each answer includes a reason and the clue learners can find in the story.
Which word did Collins choose for 2026?
Correct answer: C — Mogging
Why: The opening paragraph names mogging as the chosen word.
Clue in the story: Collins Dictionary has chosen “mogging” as its word of the year for 2026. It announced the choice on November 3.
What can 'mogging' mean?
Correct answer: B — Making something seem less impressive by comparison
Why: The second paragraph describes making someone or something seem less impressive by comparison.
Clue in the story: The word is informal. It can mean making someone or something seem less impressive by comparison. People may use it as a joke.
How does the article describe the word's suitability for formal writing?
Correct answer: A — It is not usually suitable.
Why: The final paragraph says it is not usually suitable for formal writing.
Clue in the story: For example, someone might say a friend’s cake “mogged” theirs because the friend’s cake looked better. The word is not usually suitable for formal writing.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Explain what 'mogging' means using the cake example in the article.
One possible answer: A friend’s cake can be said to have mogged yours if it looks more impressive by comparison.
This is an example, not the only correct answer. Look for a relevant idea, a reason and the learner’s own words. Learners can answer aloud or write one or two sentences.