Good morning, class. Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. Before the 19th century, mail delivery was slow and unreliable. Letters were carried by horse riders or ships, and delivery could take weeks or even months. In 1840, the first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was introduced in Britain. This changed everything. It made prepayment possible and standardized the cost, regardless of distance. As a result, mail volume increased dramatically. By the late 19th century, railways and steamships sped up delivery, and the first international postal union was formed in 1874 to coordinate cross-border mail.
❓ According to the lecture, what was the main effect of introducing the postage stamp in 1840?
A. A. It reduced the cost of mail delivery for long distances.
B. B. It made mail delivery faster than before.
C. C. It allowed senders to pay in advance and standardized the rate.
D. D. It led to the formation of the international postal union.
✅ 正确答案
C. It allowed senders to pay in advance and standardized the rate.