To us 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 the 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 in the 11th 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 honor. In the Far East in ancient times, the umbrella was allowed to be used only by those in high office.

In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade. And the umbrella was in commonly used 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 as a symbol of power. By 1680, the umbrella appeared in France and later in England.

By the eighteenth century, the umbrella was used against rain throughout most of Europe.

Umbrellas have hot 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 colors.

1.According to this passage, the umbrella was probably first invented in ancient_______.

      A．China          B．Egypt   C．Greece       D．Rome

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

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

   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 as a sunshade.

 3.A strange feature of the umbrella’s use is that it was used as__________.

   A．protection against rain          B．a shade against the sun  

   C．a symbol of honor and power      D．women’s decoration (装饰)

4.In Europe, the umbrella was first used against the rain_______________.

   A.during the Middle Ages   B.by the 18^th   C.in Rome    D.in Greece

5.This passage talks mainly about_______________.

A．when and how the umbrella was invented

B．why the umbrella was so popular in Europe

C．the development of the umbrella    

D．The history and use of the umbrella

Shanghai is the largest city in China with well-developed business and industry, and also holds a leading place in China's arts, sciences and education. About eleven million people make their homes in Shanghai. This enormous city spreads out along the banks of the Huang Pu River, which flows into the mouth of the Yangtze River about fourteen miles north.
Shanghai began as a fishing village in the 11th century, but by the mid-18th century it was an important area for growing cotton. After 1842 when China lost the Opium War with Great Britain, the British realized that Shanghai was in an excellent location to serve as a seaport for the densely populated Yangtze River Plain. They forced the Chinese government to allow English traders to settle on the wastelands outside the
city walls. Later, French, American, and Japanese traders also came to Shanghai and were allowed to live in certain territorial zones without being under the Chinese laws. The foreigners built whole new sections of Shanghai, including homes, stores, factories, and office buildings. Thousands of Chinese poured into Shanghai in search of jobs, most of whom settled in the old part of the city. As a result of all the foreigners, Shanghai became greatly influenced by Western culture.
During the 1900s, opium sales along with the gambling brought in big profits. After the Anti-Japanese War in 1945, the Nationalist Chinese government took over the city. In 1949, Shanghai was liberated and administrated under the Communist Chinese government. Since the 1990s, Shanghai has developed quickly and has become a new international metropolis in China and will host the World Expo in 2010.
1. The British first wanted to settle Shanghai because       .
A. they wanted to build stores and factories here
B. they thought the place was beautiful and fit for living
C. they realized that it was a very good location for a seaport
D. they wanted to take control of the Yangtze River Plain
2. Which of the following statements about Shanghai in the 1900s is True?
A. It was an important centre for growing cotton.
B. Shanghai was important only, because it was a big seaport city.
C. Opium and cotton sales brought in huge profits.
D. Foreign settlers in Shanghai were free from Chinese laws.
3. What's the main idea of the second paragraph?
A. Shanghai' development into an international city.
B. Certain territorial zones for foreigners in Shanghai.
C. Brief history of Shanghai from the 11th century to the early 20th.
D. The influence of western culture on Shanghai.
4. Which of the following can replace the word "metropolis"(bold in last para.)?
A. seaport city                         B. big city
C. capital city                         D. developing city

Win a week in England!
You still don’t know what to do this summer? Well, here’s your chance to win a one-week language course in Kent, England! Free4Fun and ETC (English Travel Connections) are giving  away two trips to Rochester. This historic city is less than an hour’s drive from London and close  to the sea resort of Herne Bay. It is also the home of one of England’s most famous writers,  Charles Dickens. The town of Rochester is in Southeast England. Charles Dickens often wrote  about it in his books. His home, Gad’s Hill, is there, too. A popular attraction is Rochester Castle, a large Norman fortress（堡垒）. It was built in the 11th century and rebuilt during the 14th century. Other attractions are Rochester Cathedral, which was built during the 13th century, and Dickens Centre. It has got its name in honour of Dickens himself.
The trip to England includes:
*  travel by train (via the Eurotunnel) to and from any railway station in Germany
*  room and full board with a guest family for one week
*  language course in small groups
*  two trips to London
*  large choice of sports and entertainment
*  German-speaking advisors available 24 hours a day
Interested? All you have to do is to answer the following question:  When was Charles Dickens born?
So, take the chance and send your answer by 1 May to:
Free4Fun "Rochester"
Free4Fun, 24 Elphinstone Road, Hastings, 2FQ6VJ
fax: 089 / 85 763-103    e-mail: free4fun@netlight.com
The two winners will be contacted directly before 5 May. They will also be announced in the June issue of Free4Fun. Good luck!
For further information, contact:
phone: (03212) 144 43    fax: (03212) 144 42      e-mail: info@etc. com
【小题1】What activities can you participate in during the trip?

Win a week in England!

You still don’t know what to do this summer? Well, here’s your chance to win a one-week language course in Kent, England! Free4Fun and ETC (English Travel Connections) are giving  away two trips to Rochester. This historic city is less than an hour’s drive from London and close  to the sea resort of Herne Bay. It is also the home of one of England’s most famous writers,  Charles Dickens. The town of Rochester is in Southeast England. Charles Dickens often wrote  about it in his books. His home, Gad’s Hill, is there, too. A popular attraction is Rochester Castle, a large Norman fortress（堡垒）. It was built in the 11th century and rebuilt during the 14th century. Other attractions are Rochester Cathedral, which was built during the 13th century, and Dickens Centre. It has got its name in honour of Dickens himself.

The trip to England includes:

*  travel by train (via the Eurotunnel) to and from any railway station in Germany

*  room and full board with a guest family for one week

*  language course in small groups

*  two trips to London

*  large choice of sports and entertainment

*  German-speaking advisors available 24 hours a day

Interested? All you have to do is to answer the following question:  When was Charles Dickens born?

So, take the chance and send your answer by 1 May to:

Free4Fun "Rochester"

Free4Fun, 24 Elphinstone Road, Hastings, 2FQ6VJ

fax: 089 / 85 763-103    e-mail: free4fun@netlight.com

The two winners will be contacted directly before 5 May. They will also be announced in the June issue of Free4Fun. Good luck!

For further information, contact:

phone: (03212) 144 43    fax: (03212) 144 42       e-mail: info@etc. com

1.What activities can you participate in during the trip?

A. Working as a language advisor.                         B. Learning the German language.

C. Traveling by train with a guest family.              D. Enjoying sports and entertainment.

2.If you want to win a prize you have to send your answer to          .

A. the June issue of Free4fun                                       B. free4fun@netlight. com

C. info@etc. com                                                             D. ETC

3.The persons         are likely to win the free trip.

A. who know the birth date of Charles Dickens     B. who are attracted by Rochester Castle

C. who are contacted and announced by Free4Fun and ETC

D. who know more about Charles Dickens’ works

4.This ad was probably designed to target            .

A. Italians                                B. Europeans                 C. Germans                    D. Americans

To us 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 the 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 in the 11th 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 honor. In the Far East in ancient times, the umbrella was allowed to be used only by those in high office.
In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade. And the umbrella was in commonly used 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 as a symbol of power. By 1680, the umbrella appeared in France and later in England.
By the eighteenth century, the umbrella was used against rain throughout most of Europe.
Umbrellas have hot 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 colors.
【小题1】According to this passage, the umbrella was probably first invented in ancient_______.