Question 1
How does the barter system work, and what kinds of commodities were exchanged?
Steps only
People directly exchange goods or services, such as grain for tools, if both sides agree.
Answer
Barter takes place without money.
CLASS 7 · SOCIAL STUDIES · CHAPTER 11
From Barter to Money
Original, simple answers to nine questions about barter, coins, money, historical exchange and modern payments.
9 worked answersComplete chapter answers
9 worked answers · short steps first, explanations when you need them
Questions and activities
Textbook pages 236–238
Question 2
What were the limitations of the barter system?
Steps only
Barter needs matching wants, agreement on value, and goods that can be divided, carried and stored.
Answer
These problems made exchange slow and difficult.
Question 3
What were the salient features of ancient Indian coins?
Steps only
Mention metal, weight or shape, and symbols or inscriptions that helped identify the coin.
Answer
Features varied by ruler, region and period.
Question 4
How has money as a medium of exchange transformed over time?
Steps only
Barter and commodities → metal coins → paper currency → cards, bank transfers and digital payments.
Answer
Money continues to change as new payment methods develop.
Question 5
What steps might have been taken in ancient times so that Indian coins could become a medium of exchange across countries?
Steps only
Use consistent weight and metal, recognisable marks and trusted trade agreements.
Answer
Trust and regular trade help currency circulate across borders.
Question 6
An annual salary of 60 paṇas could be replaced by one āḍhaka of grain per day (about 3 kg). What does this indicate about one paṇa’s value? If the fine for not helping a neighbour was 100 paṇas, compare it with the salary and explain what human values this encouraged.
Steps only
365 × 3 kg = 1,095 kg; ÷ 60 ≈ 18.25 kg per paṇa. 100 paṇas ÷ 60 = 1⅔ annual salaries.
Answer
The large fine emphasised the value of helping neighbours.
Question 7
Write and perform a skit showing how people might have persuaded one another to use cowrie shells as a medium of exchange.
Steps only
Show a barter problem, propose cowries as a shared medium, and agree on trust and value.
Answer
Create your own dialogue; mark it as imagined.
Question 8
Find out some security features used on Indian currency notes to prevent illegal printing and misuse, then discuss them in class.
Steps only
Use the RBI guide to list features on a chosen note, then explain how they help identify genuine currency.
Answer
Verify the exact features for the denomination and series you inspect.
Question 9
Interview family members and local shopkeepers about whether they prefer cash or UPI for payments and why.
Steps only
Ask about preference and reason, keep financial details private, then summarise responses in a table.
Answer
Results vary by person and local conditions.