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.Its first use was as a shade against the sun!
Nobody knows who first invented it,but the umbrella was used in very ancient times.Probably?the first to use it were the Chinese,as early as the eleventh century B.C.
We know that the umbrella 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 honour and authority.In the Far?East in ancient times the umbrella was allowed to be used only by royalty 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?umbrella 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 sixteenth century.And again it was considered 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 whole variety of colours.
In Europe,the umbrella was first used against the rain__________.
- A.in China
- B.in ancient Egypt
- C.in Rome
- D.in Greece
正确答案及解析
正确答案
解析
【考情点拨】事实细节题。【应试指导】文章第四段第三句指出，据说，欧洲首先使用雨伞挡雨的是古罗马人：
