Use these questions to practice speaking about money in English. There are no wrong answers — the goal is to think, argue, and express yourself clearly.
If you could only use barter — trading goods for goods, no money — what three problems would you face in your daily life?
Try to use: double coincidence of wants, medium of exchange, transaction cost
Why do we trust money if it is "just paper"? What gives it value — and what would make you stop trusting it?
Try to use: intrinsic value, fiat currency, legal tender, shared belief
What is the difference between "money" and "currency"? Can you explain it in your own words without using either term?
Try to use: store of value, unit of account, medium of exchange
Is gold a better form of money than paper currency? Argue for gold — then argue against it. Which argument is stronger?
Try to use: commodity money, scarcity, portable, divisible, durable
In your country, is it polite to talk openly about how much money you earn? Why do cultures have such different attitudes to discussing money?
Try to use: taboo, financial transparency, social norm, income
If you were designing a new currency from scratch — for a country that had never had one — what three properties would you make sure it had? Why those three?
Try to use: fungible, portable, scarce, durable, accepted, trusted