Umbrellas

1/16/2022 9:43:18 AM
Image: juneauempire.com

Do you know?

  • The word "umbrella" comes from the Latin word "umbros" which means shade or shadow.
  • Modern-day acceptance of umbrellas started to spread across Europe in the middle of the 18th century. Up until that point, umbrellas were viewed as a female fashion accessory.

Let's explore more in the following passage?

Let's learn some new words before you read the passage:

Listen to the passage Umbrellas and complete the sentences by dragging the correct word to each blank.

The Umbrella is a very ordinary object. It keeps the rain and the sun off people. Most umbrellas up, so it is easy to carry them.

However, the umbrella did not begin life as an ordinary object. It was a sign of  or . Some African still use umbrellas in this way today. Someone carries an umbrella and walks behind the king or an important person.

Umbrellas are very old. The Chinese had them in the eleventh century B.C. From there, umbrellas traveled to India, Persia, and Egypt. In Greece and Rome, men wouldn’t use them. They believed umbrellas were only for women.

When the Spanish explorers went to Mexico, they saw the Aztec kings using umbrellas. English explorers saw American carrying umbrellas on the east coast of North America. It seems that people in different parts of the world invented umbrellas at different times.

England was probably the first country in Europe where ordinary people used umbrellas against the rain. England has a rainy climate, and umbrellas are very useful there.

Everybody uses umbrellas today. The next time you carry one, remember that for centuries only great men and women used them. Perhaps you are really a king or queen, a or prince.

Read and answer the following questions.

Umbrellas

The umbrella was a sign of royalty in the past. Image: iia-rf.ru

The Umbrella is a very ordinary object. It keeps the rain and the sun off people. Most umbrellas fold up, so it is easy to carry them.

However, the umbrella did not begin life as an ordinary object. It was a sign of royalty or importance. Some African tribes still use umbrellas in this way today. Someone carries an umbrella and walks behind the king or an important person.

Umbrellas are very old. The Chinese had them in the eleventh century B.C. From there, umbrellas traveled to India, Persia, and Egypt. In Greece and Rome, men wouldn’t use them. They believed umbrellas were only for women.

When the Spanish explorers went to Mexico, they saw the Aztec kings using umbrellas. English explorers saw Native American princes carrying umbrellas on the east coast of North America. It seems that people in different parts of the world invented umbrellas at different times.

England was probably the first country in Europe where ordinary people used umbrellas against the rain. England has a rainy climate, and umbrellas are very useful there.

Everybody uses umbrellas today. The next time you carry one, remember that for centuries only great men and women used them. Perhaps you are really a king or queen, a princess or prince.

Source: Thoughts and Notions

Where did men NOT use umbrellas?

  • in Spain
  • in China
  • in Greece

What is true according to the passage?

  • English explorers were the ones who popularized the use of umbrellas.
  • Chinese people used umbrellas before Indian and Egyptian people.
  • The use of umbrellas originated from the east coast of North America.

What can you know from the fifth paragraph?

  • Commoners in England might use umbrellas before those in other countries.
  • Holding umbrellas in the street makes people look like a princess or prince.
  • Most English people make the most of umbrellas whenever they go out.

Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?

  • The purpose of umbrellas
  • The design of umbrellas
  • The climate of England

What can be another title for this passage?

  • A brief history of Umbrellas
  • Umbrellas and their origin
  • The evaluation of Umbrellas

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