托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating phenomenon in animal behavior called 'tool use.' Now, when we think of tool use, we often think of humans, but many animals also use tools to solve problems. The main point I want to make is that animals can use tools in flexible and innovative ways, not just in fixed, instinctual patterns. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the New Caledonian crow. These crows are known to craft hooks from twigs and leaves to extract insects from tree crevices. What's remarkable is that they modify the tools based on the situation—if a straight twig doesn't work, they will bend it into a hook, showing foresight and problem-solving. Second, think about sea otters. They use rocks to crack open shellfish. But here's the interesting part: they don't just pick any rock. They select rocks of appropriate size and weight, and they even keep a favorite rock under their arm for repeated use. This shows planning and individual preference. So, as you can see, tool use in animals is not random; it's adaptive and intelligent.