托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating behavior in the animal kingdom called 'tool use.' Now, tool use isn't just about using a stick to get food—it can involve using objects in creative ways to solve problems. One key point is that animals don't always use tools in the same way; they adapt them based on the situation. Let me give you two examples from the wild. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters often float on their backs and use a rock to crack open shellfish. But here's the interesting part: they don't just grab any rock. They'll select a rock of the right size and weight, and sometimes they'll even keep a favorite rock under their armpit for future use. This shows they plan ahead. Second, think about the woodpecker finch from the Galápagos Islands. This bird uses a cactus spine or a twig to pry insects out of tree bark. What's remarkable is that if the twig is too long, the finch will break it to a more manageable length. This shows it can modify a tool to suit its needs. So, in both cases, we see that animals are not just using objects randomly—they're making thoughtful choices and modifications.