托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'tool use.' Now, tool use is not just about using an object to achieve a goal; it's about modifying or manipulating an object in a way that increases its effectiveness. This behavior was once thought to be unique to humans, but we now know many animals do it. Let me give you two examples from the wild. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters often eat hard-shelled clams. To crack them open, they will find a flat stone, place it on their chest, and then smash the clam against the stone. What's interesting is that they don't just use any stone; they carefully select a stone of the right size and shape, and they may even keep it under their armpit for later use. Second, think about the woodpecker finch from the Galapagos Islands. This bird uses a cactus spine or a twig to poke into tree crevices to flush out insects. But here's the key: if the spine is too long or has a branch, the finch will shorten it or break off the branch to make it more effective. So in both cases, the animals are not just using objects—they are actively selecting and modifying them to improve their function.