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 objects to get food—it can also serve social or protective functions. One key point is that tool use can be flexible and learned, not purely instinctive. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. When a sea otter finds a crab or a clam, it will float on its back, place a stone on its chest, and then smash the shellfish against the stone to crack it open. This stone isn't always the same; the otter will choose a suitable rock, sometimes carrying it from the seafloor to the surface. Interestingly, young otters learn this technique by watching their mothers, not by instinct alone. Second, think about the chimpanzee. In some groups, chimps use sticks to fish for termites. They carefully select a twig, strip off leaves, and insert it into a termite mound. But here's the twist: in different regions, chimps use different techniques—some poke the stick in and pull it out directly, while others twist it. This variation suggests that tool use is culturally transmitted, not just genetically hardwired. So, overall, the key point is that tool use in animals can be adaptive and learned, showing remarkable flexibility across individuals and groups.