What percentage of families owned a radio in 1939?

• A. 60%
• B. 75%
• C. 85%
• D. 50%

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how quickly a new technology became part of everyday life in late 1930s Britain, specifically radio ownership. By 1939, radio had become a mass medium that many families could afford and access, thanks to cheaper sets, wider production, and the BBC providing a steady stream of news and entertainment. This created widespread adoption, with about three-quarters of families owning a radio, so 75% is the best estimate for that year.

Why the other figures fit less well: 50% or 60% would suggest a slower spread than actually occurred, leaving a large portion of households without radios despite improvements in affordability and access. 85% would imply near-universal coverage, which doesn’t align with the evident rural and lower-income gaps that still existed at the time.