The umbrella is a very common object. It (keep) the rain and the sun off the user. Most umbrellas can be folded up (折叠) so it is easy to carry (they).
The umbrella is ancient invention. It (invent) about 4,000 years ago. At that time, an umbrella was used (protect) the user from the sun's rays (光线), The Chinese were the (one) to use umbrellas for protection from the rain.
People Europe used umbrellas to protect themselves from the rain by the 16th century, only women used them. This changed Jonas Hanway, a writer, started carrying one in public. He popularised umbrellas for (man). Today everybody uses umbrellas.
