Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. Before the 19th century, letters were usually delivered by private messengers, and the cost was often paid by the recipient, not the sender. This system was inefficient and expensive. In 1840, Britain introduced the first postage stamp, the Penny Black, which allowed the sender to prepay for delivery. This reform significantly increased the volume of mail and reduced the cost of sending letters. Interestingly, the reform was largely driven by the work of Sir Rowland Hill, who argued that the postal service could be profitable if prices were lower and more people used it.
❓ According to the lecture, what was a major change brought about by the introduction of the Penny Black in 1840?
A. A. The recipient had to pay for the mail.
B. B. The cost of sending letters decreased and mail volume increased.
C. C. Private messengers were banned from delivering letters.
D. D. The postal service became entirely free for the sender.
✅ 正确答案
B. The cost of sending letters decreased and mail volume increased.