Drawing a picture is the simplest way of putting an idea down on paper. That is how men first began to write six thousand years ago or more. The alphabet we now use came down to us over a long period of time. It was developed from the picture-writing of ancient(古代的) Egypt. Picture-writing was useful in many ways. It could be used to express ideas as well as objects. For example, a drawing of a man meant the object "man". But a drawing of a man lying on the ground with a spear in him meant "death".

Besides the Egyptians, the Chinese and the American Indians also developed ways of writing in pictures. But only so much could be said this way. Thousands of pictures would have been needed to express all the ideas that people might have. It would have taken many thousand more to express all the objects known to men. No one could draw so many pictures in a lifetime. Nor could anyone learn the meanings of all such drawings in a lifetime.

1. Which is not true according to the passage?

A. In ancient Egypt, different pictures have different meanings.

B. A drawing of a man lying on the ground with a spear in his hand meant "death".

C. Picture-writing also has shortcomings.

D. Not everyone could learn the meanings of all the drawings.

2. From this passage, we know the author ________

A. thinks the picture-writing developed from the alphabet.

B. enjoys picture-writing.

C. thinks some drawings can't be understood by everyone.

D. thinks picture-writing can express ideas easily.

3. What's the passage's main idea?

A. Drawing pictures is very easy.

B. The history of writing of mankind.

C. Picture-writing can express ideas.

D. Not everyone can draw pictures.