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 objects to get food; it can also serve social purposes. One key point is that tool use can help animals communicate or maintain social bonds, not just survive. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the chimpanzee. In some communities, chimps use leaves as 'sponges' to drink water, but they also use sticks during aggressive displays—they throw them at rivals to establish dominance. This isn't for food; it's a social signal. Second, think about the bottlenose dolphin. In Shark Bay, Australia, female dolphins sometimes carry large sea sponges on their snouts while foraging. This behavior, called 'sponging,' is passed from mother to daughter. Interestingly, it also seems to serve a social function: females that sponge spend more time with other spongers, forming tight social groups. So, in both cases, tool use goes beyond basic survival—it helps animals navigate their social world.