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 an object to get food; it can also serve social purposes. My main point today is that animals sometimes use tools not for survival, but to communicate or improve their social standing. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the male chimpanzee. In some groups, males will pick up a large rock and throw it or bang it against a tree during displays. This creates a loud noise that intimidates rivals and attracts the attention of females. The rock isn't used to obtain food; it's a tool for social signaling. Second, there's the example of the bottlenose dolphin. A female dolphin in Shark Bay, Australia, was observed carrying a sea sponge on her snout while foraging. This protects her from sharp rocks and stinging creatures, allowing her to access deeper waters. This technique is passed from mother to daughter, and females that use sponges spend more time feeding but gain a higher social status because they have access to a unique food source. So, in both cases, the tool serves a social function beyond mere survival.