奇速英语

The oil-paper umbrella has a history of over 1,000 years in China. There are different ____1____ (story) about the invention of the umbrella in China. The most popular one has something to do with Lu Ban. It’s said that once he and his wife visited the West Lake. It started raining suddenly. His wife said, “Let’s have ____2____ competition. Before sunrise tomorrow, the one who comes up ____3____ a good way to visit the West Lake even on rainy days will be the winner.” Lu Ban ____4____ (think) it was easy. He collected some tools and materials. Then he spent the whole night ____5____ (build) pavilions (亭子) around the lake. He was quite proud of his work.

The next morning, ____6____ Lu Ban talked about his achievements and felt proud, his wife held something unusual in her hand. It could be opened into a round shape. Lu Ban was ____7____ (surprise). He found that the object, made of silk and bamboo, could be opened and closed ____8____ (easy). It was light, beautiful and easy to carry. Lu Ban said, “You win. Your invention can protect us from rain better.” So the umbrella ____9____ (invent).

Later, people began to use paper, which was ____10____ (cheap) than silk. To make the umbrella water-proof, people brushed a kind of oil on the surface. So the oil-paper umbrella appeared.