雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

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, postage was paid by the receiver, and the cost depended on the distance traveled. The reformer Rowland Hill proposed a uniform rate of one penny for all letters under a certain weight, regardless of distance. This not only simplified the system but also encouraged more people to use the mail. Interestingly, the first stamps, like the Penny Black, were introduced to prepay the postage, which reduced the burden on recipients and increased the volume of letters significantly.