托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'tool use.' Now, tool use isn't just about using objects to get food—it can also serve social functions. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the chimpanzee. In some communities, male chimpanzees will pick up a large branch and drag it noisily along the ground while displaying. This behavior, called 'branch dragging,' isn't used to obtain food. Instead, it seems to signal dominance or to attract attention during social disputes. The louder the noise, the more likely other chimps will notice and possibly defer to the displayer. Second, let's look at a bird called the bowerbird. The male bowerbird builds an elaborate structure—a bower—and decorates it with colorful objects like berries, flowers, or even bits of plastic. He doesn't use these objects to build a nest for raising young. Rather, the bower and its decorations serve as a visual signal to attract females. Females inspect the bower, and the male who has the most attractive decorations is more likely to be chosen as a mate. So, as you can see, tool use in animals can go beyond mere survival—it can be a crucial part of social communication.