Economic Choices — Answer Key
Part A: Sort the Words
Sort each word or number into the correct category box.
1. Sort each action into Trade/Barter or Not a Trade.
Trade/Barter
Swapping two stickers for a pencilTrading a sandwich for an apple at lunchGiving a friend a toy car for a marbleExchanging a crayon for an eraser Not a Trade
Paying five dollars for a bookBuying milk with coins at the storeUsing a debit card to get shoesHanding money to a cashier for candy Barter means trading goods or services directly without using money, just items for other items.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Swapping one thing for another without money is called barter.
Barter is the direct exchange of goods or services without using money at all.
2. Long ago, people traded things before money was invented.
Before coins and bills, families traded food, tools, and cloth with each other to get what they needed.
3. When you give a pencil for a sticker, you made a fair trade.
A trade is a swap where both sides feel they got something of equal value.
4. In a trade, both people should feel the swap is fair.
Fair trades leave both sides happy because each thinks the swap is worth it.
5. Trading an apple for an orange is an example of barter.
An example helps us see how barter works in real life by showing one real swap.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. Barter means trading without using money.
True False
Barter is a direct swap of goods or services, so no money is needed to make the trade.
2. Paying four dollars for a book is an example of barter.
True False
Using money to buy a book is a purchase, not barter, because barter has no money involved.
3. A fair trade feels good to both people.
True False
Fair trades make both people happy because each believes the swap is of equal value.
4. You must use coins to trade or barter.
True False
Barter is exchanging goods or services directly, so no coins or bills are used.