托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior known as 'tool use'. Now, tool use isn't just about using a stick to get ants—it's about modifying an object from the environment to achieve a specific goal. This behavior was once thought to be uniquely human, but we now know many animals do it. Let me give you two clear examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters float on their backs and use rocks to crack open hard-shelled prey like clams or abalones. They'll place the rock on their chest and smash the shell against it repeatedly until it opens. This is a clear case of using a tool to obtain food. Second, think about the New Caledonian crow. These crows are famous for crafting hooks from twigs or leaves. They'll trim a twig with their beak to create a barbed shape, then use it to probe into tree crevices to extract insect larvae. The key here is that they actively modify the material, not just pick up a ready-made item. So, the main point is that tool use in animals involves both the manipulation and, often, the modification of objects to solve problems, which shows remarkable cognitive flexibility.