托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating phenomenon in animal behavior called 'tool use'—specifically, how some animals use objects from their environment to solve problems in ways that were once thought to be unique to humans. The main point I want to emphasize is that tool use is not just a simple learned behavior; it often involves innovation and problem-solving, which indicates a higher level of cognitive ability. Let me give you two examples to illustrate this. First, consider the New Caledonian crow. These crows are known to fashion hooks from twigs or leaves to extract insects from hard-to-reach crevices. What's remarkable is that they can modify the material based on the task, showing that they understand cause and effect. Second, think about sea otters. They use rocks as anvils to crack open shellfish. They'll place a rock on their chest while floating on their back and then smash the shell against it. Interestingly, they select rocks of appropriate size and weight, and some even keep a favorite rock for repeated use. Both examples show that these animals are not just acting on instinct; they are actively assessing their environment and making choices, which challenges the idea that complex tool use is exclusive to humans.