Nobodyknowswhofirstinventedit,buttheumbrellawasusedinve...

來源：國語幫 1.07W

問題詳情：

Nobody knows who first invented it, but the umbrella was used in very ancient times. Probably the first to use it were the Chinese, back in the eleventh century B.C. To use it seems so natural to put up an umbrella to keep the water off when it rains. But actually the umbrella was not invented as protection against rain. It was first used as a shade against the sun.

We know it was used in ancient Egypt and Babylon as a sunshade. And there was a strange thing connected with its use; it became a symbol of honor and authority. In the Far East in ancient times, the umbrella was allowed to be used only by royal people or by those in high office.

In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade. And the umbrella was in common use in ancient Greece. But it is believed that the first persons in Europe to use the umbrellas as protection against the rain were the ancient Romans.

During the Middle Ages, the use of the umbrella practically disappeared. Then it appeared again in Italy in the late 16th century. And again it became a symbol of power and authority. By 1680, the umbrella appeared in France, and later on in England.

By the eighteenth century, the umbrella was used against rain throughout most of Europe. Umbrellas have not changed much in style during all this time, though they have become much lighter in weight. It wasn’t until the twentieth century that women’s umbrellas began to be made in a variety of colors.

68. Which of the following statements is not true about the umbrella?

A. No one exactly knows who was the inventor of the umbrella.

B. The umbrella was first invented to be used as protection against the sun.

C. The umbrella changed much in style in the eighteenth century.

D. In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella.

69. The underlined word “authority” means ______.

A. being popular B. being useful

C. being powerful D. being enjoyable

70. In Europe, the umbrella was first used against the rain ______.

A. in Rome B. by the eighteen century

C. in Greece D. during the Middle Ages

71. This passage talks mainly about ______.