Writing

Task I. Write a Summary and a Gist of the text.

Task II. Write out advantages & disadvantages of barter.

Task III. Fill in the table. Use the examples of your own.

Functions of money	Explanation	Example
…	…	…

Speaking

Task I. Render the text in the form of a presentation. Use the appropriate structure and visual aids to make it more interesting.

Task II. Act as an interpreter for parts A and B.

Part B

Part A

1. Предмет нашей дискуссии сегодня – деньги, их история и функции. Мы рады приветствовать профессора Джона Уолша из университета Бирмингема. Профессор любезно согласился обсудить с нами некоторые вопросы, связанные с ролью денег в обществе и их эволюцией. Итак, профессор, какую роль деньги играют в обществе? 2. Все мы знакомы с таким понятием как «бартерная экономика». Она тоже имеет свои преимущества и даже сохраняется в некоторых отдаленных примитивных общинах в своем первоначальном виде. Однако с развитием общества, большинство экономик отказались от бартерных отношений. С чем это было связано? 3. Не могли бы вы подробнее остановиться на том, какие качества должны иметь денежные единицы, чтобы успешно выполнять свои функции? 4. А все ли функции денег одинаково важны для экономики? 5. Спасибо за интересную беседу, профессор. Мы бы хотели встретиться с вами снова.

First of all, I’d like to … As far as the notion “money” is concerned … Speaking on this issue I should point out to you that … I absolutely agree that … Oh, it’s a very good question. As a matter of fact … Well, if we touch upon this problem … The pleasure is mine.

Task III. Barter relations still exist in our society. What forms do they take? Prepare short reports on the issue and present them in class.

Part 2

Read the article below. Try to find answers to the following questions:

1. What role does money play in the life of rich and the richest people?

2. What makes very rich businessmen go further in their business?

3. What are their other motivations?

Money and the Meaning of Life

Forbes magazine recently released its list of the 400 richest Americans. Along with the list, some interesting tidbits were published. For example, the net worth of these 400 wealthy (to put it mildly) individuals equals $1.2 trillion, nearly the gross domestic product of Britain.

Bill Gates' net worth of $63 billion exceeds the gross domestic product of Peru. Larry Ellison isn't too far behind with a net worth of $58 billion. The poorest person on the list has a net worth of only $725 million. Thank goodness for food stamps!

Going over the list name by name and seeing the incredible wealth these people possess, made me wonder what motivates them – most of which are still very active in their businesses – to keep on keeping on? That is, what makes these people tick?

Knowing he's worth $63 billion, Bill Gates need not work another day in his life. He need not worry about monetary problems (the Department of Justice is another story!), as he could spend millions every day and have plenty to last him and his family many lifetimes over.

Most men work to eke out a living. Beyond that, a good number of men work to become millionaires and sometimes even billionaires. Often, men will work to be able to afford themselves and their families a comfortable (perhaps even lavish) lifestyle.

At some point, however, many men achieve such wealth that they can easily cover the costs of lavish living and still have much left over. Yet they keep working just as hard as before, if not harder. They keep striving for more. What is important to note is that once they achieve wealth, they are no longer striving for the money; they are striving for greater achievement, more success, more dominance, perhaps even a place in history.

That is why these men often say, quite honestly I believe, that money is just a way of keeping score. Money is merely the means to an end and not the ultimate goal.

So if money loses its meaning at some point, then what exactly keeps these guys going? Larry Ellison seems to want to become the world's richest man and surpass his archrival Bill Gates. Some might think his goal is monetary but it in fact isn't.

So the ultimate goal is not about the amount of money one can accumulate. The money will help get you there, but it is merely a tool used to acquire what you are really after.