托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'tool use' — specifically, how some animals use objects in their environment to solve problems. Now, many people think tool use is unique to humans, but that's not true. The main point I want to make is that tool use in animals is not just a simple, instinctive action; it often involves problem-solving and learning. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters float on their backs and use rocks to crack open hard-shelled clams. They will place a rock on their chest and repeatedly smash the clam against it. This isn't random — they select rocks of the right size and shape, which shows planning and choice. Second, think about the New Caledonian crow. These crows are known to craft tools from leaves and twigs to extract insects from tree bark. What's remarkable is that young crows learn this technique by observing older crows, and they even refine their methods over time. So, in both cases, we see that tool use requires cognitive skills like selection, learning, and adaptation.