Good morning, class. Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. Before the invention of the postage stamp in 1840, people paid to send letters, but the cost was often borne by the recipient. This system was inefficient and caused many refusals. The first adhesive stamp, the Penny Black, was introduced in Britain and featured a portrait of Queen Victoria. It cost one penny and could be used to send a letter weighing up to half an ounce anywhere in the country. Interestingly, the stamp was printed in black, which made it difficult to see cancellation marks, so it was soon replaced by the Penny Red in 1841.
❓ Why was the Penny Black replaced by the Penny Red?
A. A. The black color was too expensive to produce.
B. B. The black stamp was not popular among the public.
C. C. The cancellation marks were not clearly visible on the black stamp.
D. D. The red stamp could be used for heavier letters.
✅ 正确答案
C. The cancellation marks were not clearly visible on the black stamp.