托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating behavior in the animal kingdom called 'tool use'—when animals use objects from their environment to achieve a goal. But the key point I want to make is that tool use isn't just about intelligence; it often serves a specific survival purpose, solving a problem that the animal faces in its habitat. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters float on their backs and use rocks to crack open hard-shelled clams. They place the rock on their chest and smash the clam against it. This allows them to access a food source that would otherwise be unavailable. Second, think about the woodpecker finch from the Galapagos Islands. This bird uses a cactus spine or a small twig to probe into tree crevices and extract insects. Without this tool, it couldn't reach the insects hiding deep in the bark. In both cases, the tool is essential for the animal's survival in its specific environment.