Tense consistency: meerkat

1 - Learning Objective

Learning Objective

We are learning how to write sentences that are consistent in their use of tense.

Context: meerkat

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p013bxk7/player

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Credit: BBC One - Africa

Clip Description

Meerkats are squirrel-sized mammals. They work together in communities that often consist of several families. While some members forage for food, others will stand guard, scanning the southern African plains for danger. When a predator nears, a lookout will sound an alarm call. This will be the signal for all meerkats in the community to take cover underground.

In this fascinating clip, a mob of meerkats is tricked out of their dinner by a drongo. Having won their trust, the glossy, black-feathered bird makes a false alarm call, causing the burrowing beasts to flee. This enables the trickster to steal a juicy grub. Will the wily bird outsmart the meerkats for a second time and steal a juicy scorpion? Watch the clip to find out.

Word Challenge

Can you think of some words/phrases that best describe the animals featured in the clip? Try to include some alliterative phrases.

E.g. (meerkats) burrowing beasts, (drongo) beaky bandit, …