托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating behavior in the animal kingdom called 'tool use.' While we often think of tool use as a uniquely human trait, some animals have developed remarkable abilities in this area. One key point I want to emphasize is that tool use in animals is not just instinctual but can be learned and adapted to solve specific problems. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters often eat shellfish like clams, which have hard shells. To break them open, they will float on their backs and place a rock on their chests, then smash the clam against the rock. Interestingly, they don't just use any rock; they select a rock of the right size and shape, and some even keep a favorite rock tucked under their arm for repeated use. This shows problem-solving and planning. Second, think about the New Caledonian crow. These crows are famous for manufacturing tools. In the wild, they will shape twigs and leaves into hooks to extract insects from tree bark. In experiments, when presented with a novel puzzle—like a piece of meat in a narrow tube—they quickly fashion a wire into a hook to pull out the food. This demonstrates not only tool use but also innovation and adaptation to new challenges.