3、Magic is believed to have begun with the Egyptians, in 1700BC．A magician named Dedi of Dedsnefu was reported to have performed for the pharaoh, or the king．He was also known to have entertained the slaves who built the pyramids．The “Cups and Balls” trick which he was particularly good at is still performed by magicians all over the world today．

       The ancient Greeks and Romans were also fascinated by the idea of magic．Actually, one of their main interests was the art of deception（欺骗）．This explains why at that time the priests （牧师） even built magic devices into their temples．These devices made it possible for doors to open by themselves and wine to flow magically out of statues’ mouths．This was done mainly to convince people that the priests were powerful．

       Magic, however, was not well accepted before the 1800s．Magicians were thought of as freaks（非正常人）and were only allowed to perform in a circus．It was in the 19^th century that the magician Robert Houdin came along and changed people’s views and attitudes about magic．It was also because of Robert Huoudin that many magicians were able to add Dr．or MD to their names．Today magicians try hard to find new ways to show their practiced skills．Magic is now entertainment for families all over the world．

1．Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

       A．Magical Tricks                                   B．A Great Magician

       C．Magic as Entertainment                       D．The History of Magic

2．Which of the following is Not true according to the passage?

       A．Magic was not well accepted before the 19^th century．

       B．Today magic is popular around the world．

       C．Magic is the art of deception．

       D．Robert Houdin changed people’s attitudes about magic in 19^th century．

3．In ancient Greece, what did the priests do to show people they had unusual power?

       A．They performed magical tricks to entertain people

       B．They built magic devices in the temples to make doors open by themselves

       C．They treated the people with wine flowing down from statues’ mouths．

       D．They made the statues in the temples drink wine as they wished