托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating phenomenon in animal behavior called 'tool use.' Now, tool use is not limited to humans—many animals use objects from their environment to achieve a goal. But what's really interesting is that animals don't just pick up any object; they often modify or choose them carefully to solve a specific problem. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters float on their backs and use rocks to crack open shellfish. They actually select a rock of the right size and weight, and they even keep a favorite rock tucked under their arm for repeated use. This shows planning and preference. Second, think about the New Caledonian crow. These crows are famous for making hooks from twigs or leaves to extract insects from tree crevices. They don't just use a stick; they actively shape it—stripping leaves and bending the end—to create a more effective tool. This demonstrates not only tool use but also tool manufacture. So, the main point is that tool use in animals is not random; it involves selection, modification, and even planning, which challenges our ideas about animal intelligence.