News by Levels · Level 3 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
Collins Picks “Mogging” as 2026 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 qualities can 'mogging' relate to, according to Collins?
Correct answer: A — Appearance, confidence or other qualities
Why: The second paragraph lists appearance, confidence and other qualities.
Clue in the story: The term can refer to appearance, confidence or other qualities, according to Collins. It is often used playfully: a baker might say a friend’s cake “mogged” their own if it turned out more impressive.
What does the article say about the word's earlier use?
Correct answer: C — It is believed to have roots in bodybuilding culture.
Why: The third paragraph attributes the word's believed roots to bodybuilding culture.
Clue in the story: Collins says the term is believed to have roots in bodybuilding culture and later circulated in online communities focused on masculinity. Euronews reports that younger generations have helped take it into wider use.
How should a writer treat the term in formal writing?
Correct answer: B — As an informal expression that is not a standard formal choice
Why: The final paragraph says it is informal and not a standard choice for formal writing.
Clue in the story: The expression is informal and context matters; it should not be treated as a standard choice for formal writing.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Explain the cake example and why the word may not suit a formal report.
One possible answer: A baker might joke that a friend’s cake 'mogged' theirs if the friend’s cake was more impressive. The term is informal slang, so it is not a standard choice for formal writing.
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.