Past and Present Perfect Tense: wood ant

1 - Learning Objective

Learning Objective

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

Context: wood ant

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05rgrbb/player

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Credit: BBC Two - Attenborough and the Empire of the Ants

Clip Description

Wood ants are extremely well organised insects. Working together as a super team, they are able to construct dome-shaped nests that reach over a metre in height. A single nest can contain up to half a million worker ants. Each worker will have a particular job to do. Inside the nest, some will feed the queen while others will clean her eggs. Outside the nest, some will be on the lookout for nest building materials while others will be hunting for food.

In this fascinating clip, we are shown how a colony of wood ants works together to defend its nest which is in danger of being destroyed by a cow! How is it possible for such a tiny insect to frighten away something so large? 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 that describe both the appearance and the behaviour of the wood ants featured in the clip?

e.g. aggressive, formidable, soldier-like, …