Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. In the 19th century, the introduction of the penny post in Britain revolutionized communication. Before that, the recipient, not the sender, usually paid for the mail, which led to many refusals. The postal reformer Rowland Hill proposed a uniform low rate, prepaid by the sender. This change increased mail volume dramatically, but it also created a need for more efficient sorting methods. Interestingly, the first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued in 1840 and featured a portrait of Queen Victoria. It was printed in sheets and had to be cut with scissors because there were no perforations initially.
❓ According to the lecture, what was a major problem with the postal system before the reforms?
A. A) Mail was often lost due to inefficient sorting.
B. B) Recipients frequently refused to pay for their mail.
C. C) Senders had to pay very high rates for all letters.
D. D) Postage stamps were not yet invented.
✅ 正确答案
B) Recipients frequently refused to pay for their mail.