At the time the excerpt was published, what major issue was Britain experiencing?

The major issue that Britain was experiencing at the time the excerpt was published was the bombing of British cities. During World War II, particularly in the early 1940s, Britain faced intense aerial bombardment from the German Luftwaffe in what became known as the Blitz. This bombing campaign targeted key cities, leading to significant destruction and loss of civilian life. The resilience of the British people during this period is a notable historical aspect, as it was characterized by a spirit of determination and perseverance in the face of such adversity.

The other options, while representing significant challenges at different points in history, do not reflect the primary concern of Britain during this specific time frame of sustained attacks. Food shortages, although an issue during the war, were not as immediate and prominent as the direct threat posed by bombings. The threat of invasion was indeed a concern prior to and during the war, but the active state of bombing was a more pressing and visible challenge during the Blitz. The loss of colonies is a broader context of British history, as it pertains to the decline of the British Empire, but it would not be considered a major issue exclusive to the wartime experiences encapsulated in the excerpt.