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Money's Historical Evolution

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Money's Historical Evolution

Money's Historical Evolution

Historical coins and currency evolution

💰 Part 1: Understanding Barter Systems

1. What is a barter system? Write your answer below:
2. Circle the main problems with bartering (multiple answers allowed):

Hard to find someone who wants what you have

Difficult to store wealth for later

No common way to measure value

Items could spoil or break

Easy to carry around

3. Give an example of a barter trade you might make with a classmate:

🐚 Part 2: Early Forms of Money

4. Match each early form of money with its description:
1. Cowry shells
2. Metal coins
3. Feathers
4. Beads
A. Durable and could be shaped into standard sizes
B. Small, portable, and hard to fake
C. Colourful and valued for decoration
D. Rare and beautiful in some Pacific cultures
5. Why do you think shells became popular as money in many cultures?

📅 Part 3: Timeline of Money Evolution

6. Fill in the blanks to complete the timeline of money:

Step 1: _____________ system - people traded goods directly

Step 2: _____________ and beads - first forms of money

Step 3: Metal _____________ - standardised and durable

Step 4: Paper _____________ - lighter and easier to carry

Step 5: _____________ money - cards and online banking

7. Draw a picture showing the evolution from barter to modern money:

🇳🇿 Part 4: Money in New Zealand

8. Circle the correct answer: What currency does New Zealand use today?

New Zealand pounds

New Zealand dollars

New Zealand euros

New Zealand coins only

9. List three ways people in New Zealand pay for things today:

1. _________________________________

2. _________________________________

3. _________________________________

10. How do you think early Māori and European settlers traded before New Zealand had its own currency?

🤔 Part 5: Critical Thinking

11. Why did people start using money instead of just bartering? Give at least two reasons:
12. Imagine you lived 500 years ago. What would you use as money and why?
13. How has money made life easier compared to bartering? Write your thoughts:

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