Students revise important topics using Class 7 SST Extra Questions and Class 7th SST Chapter 11 From Barter to Money Important Extra Question Answer before exams.
Class 7 SST Chapter 11 From Barter to Money Extra Questions
NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 11 Extra Questions on From Barter to Money
From Barter to Money Class 7 Very Short Question Answer
Question 1.
What was the primary limitation of the barter system?
Answer:
The barter system required mutual need between trading parties (double coincidence).
Question 2.
Name two natural items used as commodity money in ancient times.
Answer:
Cowrie shells and salt served as early forms of money.
Question 3.
Which precious metals were most commonly used to mint ancient coins?
Answer:
Silver and gold were the primary metals to mint ancient coins.
Question 4.
What form of currency replaced metal coins for large-scale transactions?
Answer:
Paper currency replaced metal coins for easier large transactions.
Question 5.
In which year was the UPI payment system introduced in India?
Answer:
India introduced the UPI payment system in 2016.
From Barter to Money Class 7 Short Question Answer
Question 1.
Explain the problem of ‘double coincidence of wants’ in the barter system with an example.
Answer:
The double coincidence of wants refers to the challenge of finding two parties who simultaneously possess what the other desires. For instance, a potter needing wheat must locate a farmer who wants pots, making trade inefficient and time-consuming without a common medium of exchange.
Question 2.
How did ancient Indian coins reflect political and cultural values? Give two examples.
Answer:
Ancient Indian coins served as political propaganda and cultural symbols. The Gupta dynasty coins featured kings performing Ashvamedha sacrifices, demonstrating imperial authority. Chola coins bore the tiger emblem, representing regional pride and royal power.
Question 3.
State three advantages of paper currency over metallic coins.
Answer:
Paper currency offers greater portability as it’s lightweight, enables higher denominations for large transactions, and provides better security through advanced anti-counterfeit features. It’s also more cost- effective to produce compared to minting metal coins requiring precious metals.
Question 4.
How has digital money (like UPI) made transactions more convenient? Mention two reasons.
Answer:
Digital money enables instant, contactless payments anytime through mobile devices, eliminating cash handling. It also provides transaction records for easy tracking and integrates searnlessly with banking systems, allowing quick transfers between accounts without physical branch visits.
From Barter to Money Class 7 Long Question Answer
Question 1.
Explain how the barter system created problems in daily trade. Describe how the invention of money solved these issues.
Answer:
Problems of Barter System:
- Double Coincidence of Wants: Traders had to find someone who both had what they needed and wanted what they offered.
- Storage Issues: Many bartered goods like grain or livestock spoiled over time or required special care, making it hard to save wealth.
- Transport Difficulties: Heavy or bulky items (like tools/animals) were hard to carry to the markets.
- No Standard Value: There was no fixed way to compare worth (how many pots equal one cow?)
How Money Helped:
- Easy Exchange: Money acts as a common medium – everyone accepts it, eliminating the need for matching needs.
- Durability: Coins/notes don’t spoil over time and are compact for storage.
- Portability: Lightweight money is easy to carry in any quantity.
- Standard Measure: Fixed values (like ?10, ?50) allow fair pricing of all goods.
- Divisibility: Money can be divided into smaller amounts for precise payments.
Question 2.
Ancient Indian coins tell us stories about the past. Name two types of ancient coins and describe their designs. Why did kings put their images or symbols on coins?
Answer:
Two Important Coin Types:
Gupta Dynasty Coins (4th-6th century):
- Design: Featured kings performing sacrifices like Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice).
- Example: Samudragupta’s coins show him playing a Veena, highlighting royal talents.
- Material: Made of gold with Sanskrit inscriptions.
Chola Empire Coins (9 th-13 th century CE):
- Design: Stamped with the Chola tiger emblem.
- Example: Raja-Raja Chola’s coins had his title “Rajaraja” inscribed.
- Material: Mostly silver and copper. Why Kings Used Their Images/Symbols: Show of Power:
- Coins acted like royal advertisements across the empire.
- Example: Kushan coins showed kings wearing heavy armor to appear strong.
Religious Messaging:
- Featured gods (like Lakshmi) to show divine approval of their rule.
- Example: Chalukya coins had Vishnu’s Varaha avatar.
Economic Control:
- Standardized coins helped unify trade across regions.
- Royal marks guaranteed purity and value.
Question 3.
From coins to digital payments – how has money changed over time?
Answer:
The Evolution of Money: From Coins to Digital Payments
1. Commodity Money (Ancient Times)
- People used natural items like cowrie shells, salt, and grains as currency.
- Example: Rai stones (huge stone wheels) on Yap Island.
2. Metal Coins (6th century BCE)
- First standardized coins made of gold, silver, and copper.
- Featured kings, gods, and symbols (e.g., Gupta dynasty coins).
3. Paper Money (18th Century)
- Introduced as lightweight alternative to heavy coins.
- Example: Early Indian notes issued by the Bank of Bengal (1861).
4. Plastic Money (1980s)
- Debit/Credit cards allowed cashless transactions.
- Example: ATM withdrawals without bank visits.
5. Digital Payments (21st Century)
- UPI (2016) enables instant mobile transfers via QR codes.
- Benefits: No cash needed, 24/7 transactions, easy tracking.
From Barter to Money Class 7 Source Based Questions
Read the following excerpt from a trader’s diary in ancient India (circa 300 BCE):
“Today, I carried my wheat sacks to the market, hoping to trade for a new plough. The blacksmith refused he wanted salt, not grain. I met a salt merchant, but he needed cloth. Exhausted, I returned home empty-handed. ”
(a) Identify the economic problem described in the diary. Explain how this problem made trade difficult.
Answer:
Problem: Double coincidence of wants. The trader needed to find someone who both had a plough and wanted wheat, causing trade failures ).
(b) Contrast the trader’s experience with how a modem farmer would buy a plough today.
Answer:
Modern Contrast: Today’s farmer would use money (e.g., UPI/cash) to buy a plough directly from any seller, eliminating the need for mutual wants.
(c) Propose a solution that ancient societies could have adopted to prevent such issues. Support your answer with one historical example of early money.
Answer:
Solution: Introduce commodity money. Example: Cowrie shells were widely accepted, allowing the trader to sell wheat for shells first, then buy the plough.
From Barter to Money Class 7 Picture Based Questions
Question 1.
Look at the picture given and answer the following questions:
(a) What system of exchange is being practiced in this scene?
Answer:
Barter system (direct exchange of goods without money).
(b) Name two commodities being traded ‘ in the image.
Answer:
Commodities:
- Handmade artefacts / Pottery.
- Agricultural produce (e.g., rice cakes, herbs).
(c) Why might people in this fair still prefer barter over money?
Answer:
- Cultural tradition: Maintains ancestral practices.
- Community bonding: Face-to-face interaction strengthens local ties.
From Barter to Money Class 7 Competency Based Questions
Question 1.
You are a trader in ancient India who usually barters pottery for wheat. Recently, your customers want different goods (cloth, spices, tools), but you only have pots. Identify two problems you face in this situation. Suggest how using metal coins would solve these problems.
Answer:
Problems Faced in this situation: Double Coincidence of Wants:
- You need to find traders who both want your pots and have the exact goods you need (cloth/spices/tools). This is time consuming and often impossible.
- Without a standard value system, you must negotiate how many pots equal a bag of spices or a tool, leading to unfair exchanges.
How Metal Coins Solve These Problems: Universal Acceptance:
- Coins are accepted by all traders, eliminating the need for matching wants. You can sell pots for coins and use them to buy any item.
Standardised Value:
- Coins have fixed values (e.g., 1 silver coin = 10 pots), making trade fair and quick.
Question 2.
Your grandmother prefers cash, while you use UPI. She worries digital payments are unsafe. Explain two advantages of UPI over cash. Describe one risk of digital payments.
Answer:
Advantages of UPI Over Cash:
Convenience & Speed:
- UPI allows instant money transfers anytime, anywhere using just a smartphone. No need to withdraw or carry physical cash.
Safety 8s Record-Keeping:
- Digital transactions leave a record, reducing theft risks (no lost/stolen cash).
One Risk of Digital Payments: Cybersecurity Threats:
- Scammers may trick users into sharing UPI PINs or clicking fake payment links.
From Barter to Money Class 7 Skill Based Questions
Study the table below showing different forms of money used in history:
| Type of Money | Time Period | Advantage | Disadvantage |
| Barter (cowrie shells) | Ancient Times | No need for manufacturing | Hard to divide/store |
| Metal Coins | 600 BCE | Durable, standardised | Heavy to carry in large sums |
| Paper Currency | 1861 (India) | Lightweight, high denominations | Risk of counterfeit notes |
| UPI (Digital) | 2016 (India) | Instant, contactless payments | Requires internet access |
Question 1.
(a) Which form of money solved the problem of divisibility? Justify.
Answer:
Metal coins solved divisibility as they could be minted in smaller denominations (e.g., copper for small purchases).
(b) Identify one technological and one social factor that led to the shift from paper to digital money.
Answer:
Technological factor: Smartphone availability.
Social factor: Youth preferring quick transactions.
(c) How paper money came into existence?
Answer:
As carrying coins for large payments was difficult, the use of paper money emerged.
(d) Do you think digital money is safe for transactions?
Answer:
Yes, digital money is generally safe if used with proper security measures like strong passwords and trusted apps.
Question 2.
Riya’s village uses barter (e.g., crops for tools). She wants to convince villagers to switch to coins.
(a) List two challenges Riya might face in convincing them.
(b) Design a 30-second speech highlighting one benefit of coins over barter. Use persuasive language.
Answer:
(a) Challenges:
(i) Villagers’ distrust of new systems.
(ii) Lack of awareness about coin values.
(b) Speech
“Friends, coins will save time! No more searching for traders who need your crops. One silver coin can buy anything from tools to cloth. Let’s trade smarter!”
Class 7 From Barter to Money Extra Questions for Practice
A. Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
What makes money a standard of deferred payment?
(a) Borrowing
(b) Pay-later system
(c) Canceling purchase
(d) Pre-paid system
Question 2.
Which material was not used for ancient coins?
(a) Silver
(b) Plastic
(c) Gold
(d) Copper
Question 3.
The UPI system was launched in India in:
(a) 2005
(b) 2016
(c) 1991
(d) 2020
Question 4.
What replaced metallic coins for large transactions?
(a) Barter
(b) Paper currency
(c) Cryptocurrency
(d) Commodity money
Question 5.
Which symbol appeared on Chola dynasty coins?
(a) Lotus
(b) Tiger
(c) Elephant
(d) Peacock
B. Fill in the Blanks
Question 1.
The ………… system required direct exchange of goods without money.
Question 2.
Ancient Indian coins often featured images of ………… and deities.
Question 3.
Paper money was first introduced in ………..
Question 4.
The RBI uses ………….. on currency notes to aid the visually impaired.
Question 5.
Digital payments like UPI require ……….. access.
C. State Whether True or False
Question 1.
Cowrie shells were used as commodity money.
Question 2.
The barter system is more efficient than money.
Question 3.
Gupta dynasty coins showcased kings performing sacrifices.
Question 4.
Plastic money refers to credit/debit cards.
Question 5.
All countries introduced paper money at the same time.
D. Match the Columns
| Column A | Column B |
| A. Barter system | (i) Tiger |
| B. UPI launch | (ii) Tactile markings |
| C. RBI security feature | (iii) Gold |
| D. Chola coin symbol | (iv) 2016 |
| E. Ancient coin metal | (v) Double coincidence |
E. Assertion and Reason Questions
There are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark your answer as per the codes provided below:
Question 1.
Assertion (A): Paper currency is used for higher denominations.
Reason (R): Intangible transactions are very common these days.
Codes:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true.
Question 2.
Assertion (A): Coins were among the earliest forms of money.
Reason (R): It supported the barter system and made it work.
Codes:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true.
F. Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
List one use of smaller denominations of currency.
Question 2.
What metal were Gupta dynasty coins made of?
Question 3.
Why did paper money replace coins?
Question 4.
Give one advantage of UPI.
Question 5.
What is the function of money as a “store of value”?
G. Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
How did coins solve the problem of “divisibility” in trade?
Question 2.
Why did kings imprint their faces on ancient coins?
Question 3.
Compare barter and digital payments in terms of speed.
H. Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Trace the evolution of money from barter to digital payments, highlighting key advantages at each stage.
Question 2.
“Coins were more than just currency they were historical records.” Support this statement with examples from the text.