阅读理解 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 rain. It was first used 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, way back in the eleventh century B.C. We know that the umbrella was also 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 16th century. And again it became a symbol of power and authority. 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.

单选题 The first use of umbrella was as_________.

单选题 _________were regarded as the people who first used umbrellas.

单选题 The umbrella was used only by royal people or those in high office_________.

单选题 According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】本题考查的是考生对全文的把握以及关键点的理解。“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．”可知，雨伞在古代曾经是权利和荣耀的象征，所以只能由皇族和高官持有，故此项不对。

单选题 Which of the following may be the best title for the passage?

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】本题考查的是考生对全文意思的把握。通读全文可知，文章讲雨伞的不同角色，包括遮阳，遮雨，在古代还能象征权利和荣誉，所以B能最好地概括全文，其他项都太过片面。