Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service in Britain. Before the 19th century, sending a letter was very expensive, and the cost was usually paid by the recipient, not the sender. This meant that many people refused to accept letters they couldn't afford. In 1840, Sir Rowland Hill introduced the Penny Post, which charged a uniform rate of one penny for any letter weighing up to half an ounce, and the sender had to pay in advance. This reform made postal services accessible to ordinary people and led to a massive increase in the volume of mail. Interestingly, the first adhesive postage stamp, the 'Penny Black', was also issued that same year.
❓ According to the lecture, what was a major problem with the postal system before 1840?
A. Letters were often lost in transit.
B. The cost of sending a letter was paid by the receiver.
C. There were no post offices in rural areas.
D. Letters could only be sent within London.
✅ 正确答案
The cost of sending a letter was paid by the receiver.