This is the reading section for the Mattayom 3 O-NET exam for the school year 2565.
Reading Passage 3
(1) It is still believed by some that opening an umbrella indoors will bring bad luck. The origin of this superstition is not totally known. It is generally believed to have started in Ancient Egypt. Back then, umbrellas protected people of noble blood from the heat of the sun, not from the rain and were thought to push away spirits who might harm them. To open an umbrella inside or even in the shade would anger the god of the Sun.
(2) Another theory states that the superstition had its roots in the 18th century London, England. At that time, the inhabitants of London had umbrellas that were water-proof and extremely large in size. These umbrellas had metal spokes, and they were not convenient to open inside a building. They could cause injury to people or break objects inside a house or in a small space. Because of this, ti was often recommended that one should not open up an umbrella while visiting another house as a general rule.
(3) Some believe that bad luck does not occur if the umbrella has just been opened outdoors and then brought inside to dry. Bad luck is also associated with an umbrella if it is the color black, was received as a gift, has never bene used outside in the rain, is opened on a ship, or is dropped on the floor.
What is the main idea of this passage?
The god of the Sun was highly regarded in the Ancient Egypt.
Bad luck results from opneing an umbrella inside a house
There are different theories about the origin of the umbrella superstition.
Londoners do not generally open up their umbrellas while visiting neighbors.
Which information can be found in paragraph 2?
Londoners' life style in the 18th century
The exact size of an umbrella used in London
The difficulty of getting an umbrella in the 18th century
The reason why people did not open umbrellas inside London houses
Based on the passage, who is most likely to have bad luck?
Lulu, who has opened her umbrella on a ship
Linda, who has used her umbrella outside in the rain
Liz, who has dried her open umbrella inside the house
Lala, who has given a black umbrella to a friend
What can be inferred from the passage?
Black is considered the symbol of death.
In the 18th century, most houses in London were very small.
The god of the Sun was the most powerful god in Ancient Egypt.
The exact origin of the superstition about opening umbrellas indoors is likely to remain unknown.
