# PTE Reading FIB #35: Historical Monetary Systems...

Reading: Fill in the Blanks #35 - Level 3 - Feeds Reading

> In the text below some words are missing. Drag word from the box below to the appropriate place in the text. To undo an answer choice, drag the word back to the box below the text.

During the 19th century, the enormous expansion of world production and trade was ____ mainly by gold. Even the ____ issued by the banks were fully convertible to gold on demand, and this was the basis of their acceptance. However, production and trade were expanding at a faster ____ than new ____ of gold were being discovered. If trade was to continue growing at this rate, some commodity other than gold also had to be used as a ____ of exchange.

## Answer

During the 19th century, the enormous expansion of world production and trade was **financed** mainly by gold. Even the **notes** issued by the banks were fully convertible to gold on demand, and this was the basis of their acceptance. However, production and trade were expanding at a faster **rate** than new **supplies** of gold were being discovered. If trade was to continue growing at this rate, some commodity other than gold also had to be used as a **means** of exchange.

## Explanation

Blank 5 sits in "a ___ of exchange," and "a means of exchange" is a fixed phrase for something used to pay. "Cash" and "sample" do not fit before "of exchange" in this way. Blank 4 sits between "new" and "of gold," and you discover new "supplies" of gold. "Amounts" is the weaker choice here.

## Hints

- Look for words that describe the action of providing funds or the physical items used as currency.
- Consider the relationship between the speed of trade and the availability of resources.

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