Which term describes the trading of goods and services without money?

• A. Trade
• B. Currency
• C. Exchange
• D. Barter

Answer: (D)

Trading goods and services without money is barter, a direct exchange where each party offers something the other wants. Barter relies on a double coincidence of wants, meaning both sides must value what the other is offering. This makes it different from simply trading in general or using money as a mediator. Currency is the money itself, so it’s not what’s being used in barter. And while exchange is a broad term for giving and receiving, barter specifically describes swapping items without cash. In modern economies, money usually plays the role of medium of exchange, unit of account, and store of value, which is why barter is less common but still appears in certain contexts.