Good morning. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. While many people credit the 19th-century inventors for its creation, the first two-wheeled vehicle actually appeared in 1817, invented by a German baron named Karl von Drais. His machine, called the 'draisine', had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground to move. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel in France. Interestingly, the iconic high-wheeled 'penny-farthing' became popular in the 1870s, but it was dangerous because riders sat high above the ground. It wasn't until the 1880s that the safety bicycle, with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, made cycling accessible to the general public.
❓ According to the lecture, what was a major disadvantage of the 'penny-farthing' bicycle?
A. A. It was too expensive for most people to buy.
B. B. It had no brakes and was difficult to control.
C. C. The rider sat high above the ground, making it dangerous.
D. D. It required riders to push their feet along the ground.
✅ 正确答案
C. The rider sat high above the ground, making it dangerous.