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. Postage was paid by the receiver based on distance.
B. The sender paid a fixed low rate for any domestic letter.
C. Only official mail was allowed to use the postal service.
D. The cost of postage depended on the weight of the letter.
✅ Correct Answer
B. The sender paid a fixed low rate for any domestic letter.