Reading: The History of Money
The history of money is a B1 reading text on the evolution of currency and economic systems. The text covers the origins of money (barter, commodity money, metal coins), the development of paper currency, the gold standard era, fiat currency, electronic banking, credit cards, and now cryptocurrencies and digital wallets. Learners read for chronological development, system-comparison, and contemporary-relevance.
This worksheet builds B1 reading comprehension through an economic-history text.
Worksheet preview
What’s inside:
- A B1 historical text (~500 words) on the history of money
- Pre-reading vocabulary box with money-history and economy terms
- Comprehension items: chronological sequencing, system-comparison, contemporary-relevance
- Vocabulary-in-context: money and economy vocabulary
- Writing follow-up: describe how you think money will change in the next 20 years
- Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes
Common challenges: Money-system vocabulary at B1 mixes historical (barter, commodity, gold standard, fiat) with contemporary (credit card, electronic banking, cryptocurrency, digital wallet). Distinguishing form changes (gold to paper) from function changes (medium of exchange vs store of value). Cause-effect: why each system arose and why it was replaced.
For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B1, in intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study. Maps onto Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) Reading. Part of the Stories, History & Biographies collection — the natural next step is A Short Story: The Lost Letter, which extends historical reading into fictional-narrative territory.
