different type of shoe appeared - the moccasin - a slipper-shaped shoe made of soft but strong leather.

　　The Greeks were the first to develop shoes with heels (鞋跟). Then, in the Middle Ages, shoes with long points at the toe became very chic for the nobility（贵族）. These shoes were often very difficult to wear. Other trends followed, with square-toed shoes, wide shoes, and even shoes that could make a woman stand two feet taller. Not surprisingly, these sometimes led to accidents. Even today, fashion rather than comfort often leads to the kind of shoes women wear.

　　Mechanical shoemaking appeared in the 1800s in North America. Until then, shoes had been made with the same kinds of hand tools used by the ancient Egyptians. And in 1858, a machine was invented that could stitch (缝合) the sole of a shoe to the upper part. Now it was possible to make shoes that were shaped to fit either the left or right foot. Toward the end of the 1800s came a new type of shoe that was specifically designed for sports - the sneaker - and it soon become an all-time favorite.

25. What did shoes often show in ancient times?

A. The rich resources. B. People's different beliefs.

C. People's status in society. D. The changeable climates.

26. What does the underlined word "chic" in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A. Valuable. B. Convenient.

C. Fashionable. D. Comfortable.

27. Before mechanical shoemaking appeared, _____.

A. shoes were often very difficult for people to wear

B. all the shoe patterns made by the Greeks were the same

C. the only function of footwear was to protect people's feet

D. people wore the same-shaped shoes on their two feet

28. How does the text mainly develop?

A. By providing examples. B. By making comparisons.