A growing library of level-graded English lessons for classroom or self-study, with reading, listening, vocabulary, activities, and discussion practice from A1 to B2.
Lesson Info
In this lesson:
- Warm-up Prediction task and general discussion questions.
- Vocab List Useful words and meanings.
- Reading Read the main text.
- Listen and Fill Gaps Listen for missing words.
- True or False Check understanding.
- Vocab Match Connect words to meanings.
- Discussion Questions Open speaking questions for discussion (or writing practice).
- Answers Answer key for the printed tasks.
Think Ahead: Why might choosing white surprise some people?
a) White is not usually thought of as exciting.
b) White cannot be used in design.
c) White is illegal in some countries.
Ask: (1) What is your favorite color? (2) Do you like the color white? What does white mean to you?
VOCAB LIST
Reading
Pantone, the world's color expert, has chosen its Color of the Year for 2026. The color is white. More exactly, it is a shade of white called Cloud Dancer. Pantone has picked a Color of the Year every year since 1999. The color shows what the company thinks will be popular in the coming year. It also shows the mood of the world.
Pantone says Cloud Dancer brings calm and peaceful feelings. The company says society is finding the value of quiet again. In 2026, this white color will appear on many products, from smartphones to furniture and even Play-Doh.
This is the first time the company has chosen a white color. However, it is not the first time they picked a color to help people feel less stressed. In 2011, the color was Honeysuckle, a pink meant to lift spirits. In 2010, a calm turquoise was chosen. And in 2024, Peach Fuzz was the color to help people care for themselves.
Pantone's Color of the Year can influence fashion, design, and lifestyle trends. People on social media have different feelings about Cloud Dancer. Some are interested, but others are unhappy with the choice.
How does Pantone choose the color? It is mostly a secret. Color experts at Pantone talk all year about design trends. They say the goal is not to push one color but to show how powerful color can be.
Pantone Picks White for 2026 Color of the Year
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
Think Ahead: Why might choosing white surprise some people?
a) White is not usually thought of as exciting.
b) White cannot be used in design.
c) White is illegal in some countries.
Ask: (1) What is your favorite color? (2) Do you like the color white? What does white mean to you?
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Shade (n.)
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Popular (adj.)
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Calm (adj.)
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Trend (n.)
-
Influence (v.)
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Social media (n.)
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Powerful (adj.)
-
Expert (n.)
-
Secret (n.)
Pantone, the world's color expert, has chosen its Color of the Year for 2026. The color is white. More exactly, it is a shade of white called Cloud Dancer. Pantone has picked a Color of the Year every year since 1999. The color shows what the company thinks will be popular in the coming year. It also shows the mood of the world.
Pantone says Cloud Dancer brings calm and peaceful feelings. The company says society is finding the value of quiet again. In 2026, this white color will appear on many products, from smartphones to furniture and even Play-Doh.
This is the first time the company has chosen a white color. However, it is not the first time they picked a color to help people feel less stressed. In 2011, the color was Honeysuckle, a pink meant to lift spirits. In 2010, a calm turquoise was chosen. And in 2024, Peach Fuzz was the color to help people care for themselves.
Pantone's Color of the Year can influence fashion, design, and lifestyle trends. People on social media have different feelings about Cloud Dancer. Some are interested, but others are unhappy with the choice.
How does Pantone choose the color? It is mostly a secret. Color experts at Pantone talk all year about design trends. They say the goal is not to push one color but to show how powerful color can be.
Two ways to use this audio:
- Method 1: Listen for the main idea: what is the article about in one sentence? Listen a second time for more details, then try the Understanding activities below.
- Method 2: Read the article first to learn the vocabulary and ideas. Then look at the gap-fill sentences to see what to listen for, and listen to fill them in.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
Pantone, the world's color (1) , has chosen its Color of the Year for 2026. The color is white. More exactly, it is a (2) of white called Cloud Dancer. Pantone has picked a Color of the Year every year since 1999. The color shows what the company thinks will be popular in the coming year. It also shows the mood of the world.
Pantone says Cloud Dancer brings (3) and peaceful feelings. The company says society is finding the value of quiet again. In 2026, this white color will appear on many products, from smartphones to furniture and even Play-Doh.
This is the first time the company has chosen a white color. However, it is not the first time they picked a color to help people feel less stressed. In 2011, the color was Honeysuckle, a pink meant to lift spirits. In 2010, a calm turquoise was chosen. And in 2024, Peach Fuzz was the color to help people care for themselves.
Pantone's Color of the Year can influence fashion, design, and lifestyle (4) . People on (5) have different feelings about Cloud Dancer. Some are interested, but others are unhappy with the choice.
How does Pantone choose the color? It is mostly a (6) . Color experts at Pantone talk all year about design trends. They say the goal is not to push one color but to show how powerful color can be.
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
True or False
1. Pantone chooses a Color of the Year every year. TRUEFALSE True
2. This is the second time Pantone has chosen white. TRUEFALSE False
3. The color Cloud Dancer is meant to help people feel calm. TRUEFALSE True
4. Everyone on social media loves the choice of white. TRUEFALSE False
Vocab Match
Drag each vocabulary word to its matching definition:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Vocab Match
Write each vocabulary word next to its matching definition.
1. Shadee) A particular type or form of a color.
2. Calmd) Peaceful and quiet, without worry.
3. Trendc) A popular style or direction that many people follow.
4. Influenceb) To have an effect on how someone or something develops or behaves.
5. Experta) A person who knows a lot about a particular subject.
a) A person who knows a lot about a particular subject.
b) To have an effect on how someone or something develops or behaves.
c) A popular style or direction that many people follow.
d) Peaceful and quiet, without worry.
e) A particular type or form of a color.
Discussion Questions
- Are you happy with Pantone's choice of white as the Color of the Year?
- If you could choose a color for the Color of the Year, what color would you choose?
- Do colors affect how you feel? Which ones make you feel good?
- Have you noticed that one color is very popular in fashion or design lately?
- How important is color coordination to you? Do you have matching clothes, shoes, and other things?
- Do you care about the colors of your food? What foods are white?
- What products in your home have calming colors?
- Is it important for companies to follow color trends?
- What color will your next phone be?
- Why do designers use names for colors like Cloud Dancer, Honeysuckle, and Peach Fuzz? Are they more exciting than just using the color name?
Discussion Questions
- Are you happy with Pantone's choice of white as the Color of the Year?
- If you could choose a color for the Color of the Year, what color would you choose?
- Do colors affect how you feel? Which ones make you feel good?
- Have you noticed that one color is very popular in fashion or design lately?
- How important is color coordination to you? Do you have matching clothes, shoes, and other things?
- Do you care about the colors of your food? What foods are white?
- What products in your home have calming colors?
- Is it important for companies to follow color trends?
- What color will your next phone be?
- Why do designers use names for colors like Cloud Dancer, Honeysuckle, and Peach Fuzz? Are they more exciting than just using the color name?
Answers
Think Ahead: a
Listening: (1) expert, (2) shade, (3) calm, (4) trends, (5) social media, (6) secret
True or False:
- True. The article says Pantone has chosen a Color of the Year every year since 1999.
- False. 2026 is the first time Pantone has chosen a shade of white for Color of the Year.
- True. The article says Pantone wants the color to bring calm and peaceful feelings.
- False. Reactions on social media have been mixed, with some people interested and some upset.
Vocabulary:
- Shade: A particular type or form of a color.
- Calm: Peaceful and quiet, without worry.
- Trend: A popular style or direction that many people follow.
- Influence: To have an effect on how someone or something develops or behaves.
- Expert: A person who knows a lot about a particular subject.