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 something humans do; many animals have developed clever ways to use objects from their environment to solve problems. However, the key point I want to emphasize is that tool use in animals is not always instinctive—it often involves learning and problem-solving. Let me give you two examples to illustrate this. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters eat shellfish like clams and crabs, but their shells are hard to crack open with their teeth. So, what do they do? They float on their backs, place a stone on their chests, and then smash the shellfish against the stone to break it open. Interestingly, this technique is not something they are born with—young otters learn it by watching their mothers and practicing. Second, think about the New Caledonian crow. These crows have been observed making hooks from twigs to pull insects out of tree holes. They don't just pick any twig; they carefully select a branch, strip off the leaves, and even bend it into a hook shape to reach the prey. This shows a high level of foresight and planning. So, as you can see, these examples demonstrate that animals can use tools in flexible and adaptive ways, which suggests a form of intelligence rather than mere instinct.