Fronted Adverbials: duck-billed platypus
Learning Objective
We are learning how to use commas after fronted adverbials.
Context: duck-billed platypus
Credit: BBC Two - Natural World
Clip Description
The duck-billed platypus must surely be one of the strangest creatures on the planet. In appearance, this egg-laying mammal can best be described as a ‘hodgepodge’ of three other animal species. It has a bill and webbed feet like a duck, the fur and body shape of an otter and a beaver-like tail. They are one of the few living mammals that are venomous. Male platypus have spurs (hollow spikes) on the heel of each hind leg. It is through the spurs that venom is injected. The venom is powerful enough to paralyse a small mammal.
In this fascinating clip, we will see how the platypus uses his strange assemblage of body parts to swim underwater and find food. Why is the platypus’ bill more important than its eyesight? Watch the clip to find out.
Discuss the meaning of each word highlighted in bold.
Word Challenge
Can you make a list of adjectives that best describe the duck-billed platypus?
e.g. bizarre, intriguing, …