Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. In the 19th century, mail was delivered by horse-drawn coaches, which could take weeks to cross a country. The invention of the railway in the 1830s dramatically reduced delivery times. However, it was the introduction of the postage stamp in 1840, particularly the Penny Black in Britain, that made sending letters affordable for ordinary people. Before stamps, the recipient often paid the cost, which led to many refusals. The stamp shifted the cost to the sender, ensuring payment and increasing the volume of mail.
❓ What was the main effect of introducing the postage stamp in 1840?
A. A. It made mail delivery faster by using railways.
B. B. It reduced the cost of sending letters for the sender.
C. C. It shifted the payment responsibility from the recipient to the sender.
D. D. It increased the number of horse-drawn coaches.
✅ 正确答案
C. It shifted the payment responsibility from the recipient to the sender.