Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. In the 19th century, the introduction of the penny post in Britain was a revolutionary change. Before that, postage was paid by the receiver, based on the distance traveled, which was often expensive. The reformer Rowland Hill proposed a uniform rate of one penny for any letter within the country, prepaid by the sender. This simple idea doubled mail volume within a few years and made communication accessible to the working class. Interestingly, the first adhesive stamp, the Penny Black, was issued in 1840 and featured the young Queen Victoria's profile.
❓ What was the main change introduced by the penny post in Britain?
A. A. Postage was paid by the receiver based on distance.
B. B. The sender paid a fixed low rate for any domestic letter.
C. C. Only official mail was allowed to use the postal service.
D. D. The cost of postage depended on the weight of the letter.
✅ 正确答案
B. The sender paid a fixed low rate for any domestic letter.