Every day, millions of letters go from one country to another. Letters mailed in Italy are received in Japan. Letters mailed in Canada are received in Africa. On the letters are many different kinds of stamps bought in different countries.
The Universal Postal Union helps each letter to get to the right place as quickly as possible. It sets up rules about the size and weight of letters, postcards and small packages. It has rules that all countries must follow about international postal rates.
One hundred years ago, international mail did not move so smoothly. One country did not always accept letters from another country. Letters from some countries were too large to fit into the mailboxes of other countries. Letters travelled by many different routes, some were lost along the way. Sometimes, the person who sent the letter could pay only part of the postage. In this case, the person receiving the letter had to pay the rest.
The United States was the first to suggest that all countries work together to settle the questions of international mail. In 1874, men from twenty-four countries met in Switzerland to form the Universal Postal Union. Today, more than 120 countries belong to this union. From its office in Switzerland, the union helps the mail to move safely and quickly around the world.
問題: 1. What can be found on letters? A. countries B. mail C. stamps D. rules
2. Which of the following CANNOT be sent by mail? A. postcards B. files C. letters D. small packages
3. What does the Universal Postal Union NOT do? A. It sets up rules about international postal rates. B. It sets up rules about the size and weight of packages. C. It sets up rules about the size and weight of letters. D. It sets up rules about the colour of letters.
4. What was NOT the problem of mailing in the past? A. Some letters were lost on the way. B. Some countries did not accept letters from other countries. C. Some countries were too poor to receive letters. D. Some mailboxes were too small to take large size letters.
5. If the person who sent the letter could not pay the full cost of the postage, _______. A. the person who received the letter had to pay the rest B. he would be sent to jail C. the person who received the letter had to pay a fine D. he would be asked to pay a fine rules
6. Which of the following country was the first to suggest setting up an International Postal Union? A. Canada B. Italy C. Japan D. the United States
7. In which year was the Universal Postal Union set up? A. about one hundred years ago B. about one hundred and thirty years ago C. last year D. this year
8. How many countries were there when the Universal Postal Union first set up? A. only four B. twenty C. twenty-four D. more than 120 countries
9. Where is the office of Universal Postal Union? A. in the United States B. in Japan C. in Italy D. in Switzerland
10. This passage is mainly about ______. A. the size and weight of letters B. international mail C. different kinds of stamps in different countries D. an organization to make