Which of the following fabric types can be both synthetic and natural?

The correct answer is that fabric types can indeed be both synthetic and natural, as seen in the case of velvet. Velvet is a luxurious fabric traditionally made from silk, which is a natural fiber. However, it can also be produced using synthetic fibers, such as polyester or nylon, allowing for a variety of textures and costs. Hence, velvet can cross this boundary, illustrating how it can exist in both categories.

It is essential to recognize that silk and cotton are exclusively natural fibers. Silk is always derived from silkworms, and cotton comes from the cotton plant. Thus, while both silk and cotton are significant and well-known fabrics, they do not fit the criterion of being able to be both synthetic and natural, as they remain firmly in the natural fiber category. This distinction reinforces how synthetic fibers can be blended or imitated to create different fabric types, as is exemplified by velvet.