Hoi!
"As a result" indicates a cause-and-effect sentence. This sentence discusses the price of shipping goods, which lessened due to better ways of transportation. The price lessening is a result of of new transportation methods, so "As a result" is the correct answer.
Reading helps you to learn about different subjects in the world and <span>helps your intelligence too. Most people read to entertain themselves. ( I do that too.) Hope this helps!</span>
