Some materials absorbwater and allow water to pass through them, while others do not. Materials that do not absorb water at all are waterproof. Rubber, plastic, glass and metals do not absorb water and do not allow water to pass through them. They are waterproof materials. Fabric absorbs water and allows water to pass through it. It is not a waterproof material. However, fabric can be made waterproof by applying a layer of wax over it. A layer of wax helps make shoes waterproof.
The transparency of a material refers to how much light can pass through it. Some materials allow most light to pass through them. These materials are transparent. Glass and some plastics are transparent. You can clearly see objects placed behind transparent materials. Some materials allow only some light to pass through them. These materials are translucent. Frosted glass and some plastics are translucent. You cannot clearly see the objects placed behind translucent materials. Some materials do not allow any light to pass through them. These materials are opaque. Rubber, wood and metal are opaque materials. You cannot see objects placed behind opaque materials.