No rain fell on the first umbrella. This was because the
original purpose of the umbrella was to provide shade.
'Umbrella' ___1___
the Latin word 'umbras' which means shade. However, today, the
umbrella is generally associated with rain. The umbrella has
various uses in different countries. It is used as a
___2___ against the sun in
hot countries. It is a symbol of ___3___
in certain Oriental and African countries. In the early times,
only a few could afford to own an umbrella. An Oriental king
even described himself as he 'Lord of the 32 umbrellas'.
The British began using umbrellas during the eighteenth
century. A man named Brian MacDonald is said to have started the ___4___
for umbrellas.
For women, the parasols became ___5___.
They used a parasol to protect their skin from the sun when they
went out.
No one knows who invented the first umbrella. But the
umbrella has been in use for a long time. ___6___
found in the tombs of the Egyptian pharoahs show slaves carrying
a form of sunshade behind the kings and queens of the day. In
China, umbrellas were in use decades ago.
Today, the umbrella is one of the essential items in ___7___.
It has saved people from a soaking in many a downpour. The
umbrella is not only a ___8___
protection from the rain but also a fashion accessory. It ___9___
to see an elegantly dressed girl carrying a big, black, ugly
umbrella.
Thus, umbrella manufacturers have seen to it that their
products come in all ___10___.
The women can choose those which go well with their clothes. The
umbrellas are usually made of silk, cotton denim and other
similar materials imported from China, Taiwan and Japan. |