Endangered Pandas
The giant panda is one of the most lovable animals in the world. With its funny face, its playful actions and almost human-like way of eating, it is easy to understand why we find the giant panda so appealing. The western world has been captivated by the giant panda ever (26) ______ it first learned of it from Père Armand David, (27) _____was one of the first researchers to study China’s wildlife. Today, the giant panda is the world’s favourite bear. WWF has been using it as its emblem for the past forty-six years. (28) _____time it is reported that the giant panda is on the verge of extinction, there is (29) ______ concern. According to scientists, only about sixteen hundred giant pandas remain in the world. Their numbers have been (30) _____ rapidly due to habitat loss and poaching. Unfortunately, the mountain forests of South-Weat China where the giant panda lives provide local populations with wood for fuel and building houses, and land to grow food. Competition between humans and the giant panda for the forests’ limited resources has forced the panda into smaller and smaller pockets of land.

What comes to your mind when you think of modern technological innovations? You may think of computers or cell phones. However, clothing has greatly benefited from technology, too. New technology has brought new fabrics with special qualities. These fabrics help people who have certain jobs.
One of these new inventions is compression clothing. Compression clothing is designed to provide support to the muscles. Athletes use compression clothing because it can reduce the risk of injury, increase performance, and speed up recovery time. Many athletes, such as runners and basketball players, wear them when they are training.
Another invention is flame-resistant clothing. This clothing is worn by firefighters and people who work around flames. It keeps people safe from heat stroke and steam burns by taking sweat and moisture off the body. It does not burn in extreme heat, and it protects the skin from fire.
New clothing technology has contributed to the aerospace industry, too. Aerogel, for example, is the lightest solid material in the world, and it helps keep things warm. So, NASA uses it to make spacesuits for astronauts and to protect rovers from changes in climate.
Technology is not only being used to create new fabrics, though. It is also helping to make clothes with special functions. Some companies are making clothing that can play music, answer phone calls, and even monitor the heartbeat of the person who is wearing it. As technology develops, it will continue to transform our clothing.