Cave paintings are the oldest pictures. Some of them are almost 30, 000 years old. Many of these paintings show animals or hunting scenes (狩猎场景). They do not have written words on them. But when we look at them, we get an idea of the feelings the people had when drawing them. The paintings tell stories of hopes and fears. ____1____
Sometime between 4, 000 and 3, 000 BC, the skill of writing was developed in Egypt and Mesopotamia. People cut texts on stones first. ____2____ But it was impossible to carry stones from place to place. The invention of papyrus (莎草纸) allowed documents to be moved easily. More than 3, 000 years ago, the ancient Chinese people cut words on bones and shells. These words are called jiaguwen. It is the writing system that has developed over thousands of years into today’s hanzi.
People made the first books from papyrus and from thin animal skins. Around 105 AD, paper-making skill was improved after the invention of paper in China. ____3____ It was published in 868 AD. In the middle of the 15th century, the printing machine was invented in Germany. Since that time, a huge number of books have been printed worldwide. ____4____
Books will be around for many years, of course. But some people prefer reading electronic books. ____5____ Now you can buy your books whenever you want without having to leave the comfort of your home.
A. They are easier to take with you when you travel.
B. They are an early form of written communication.
C. The world’s oldest known printed book is from China too.
D. They are an early form of communication without reading and writing.
E. For many people, reading in the library is one of life’s greatest pleasures.
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