Past and Present Perfect Tense: albatross

1 - Learning Objective

Learning Objective

We are learning how to write sentences in both the simple past tense and its present perfect form.

Context: albatross

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07yh2l6/player

To enable embedded content please change your cookie preferences.

Credit: BBC One - Earth's Tropical Islands

Clip Description

There are 22 different species of albatross. The wandering albatross is the biggest of these mighty seabirds with an average wingspan of just over 3 metres. They use their huge wings to glide on the wind for hours at a time and are rarely seen on land. Although they mainly feed on squid or schooling fish, albatross will sometimes follow fishing boats for many days in the hope of getting free scraps. Being followed by an albatross was originally thought to be good luck, as if the bird were spreading its wings over the ship in protection.

In this fascinating clip, we meet an adorable four month-old Layson albatross chick. He is waiting for his mother, who at 67 is the oldest known living bird in the wild, to return with some food. As he sits there, he sees other mothers return to their chicks, but there’s no sign of his own. Will she come back with some food for her baby or will he be left alone? Watch the clip to find out.

Discuss the meaning of each word highlighted in bold.

Word Challenge

Can you make a list of words/phrases which describe how the albatross chick might be feeling?

e.g. anxious, ravenous, envious, …