Born to Trade
Read Born to Trade and check the IELTS Reading answers. Humans are born to trade and we don’t need shops or money to do it—the heart of commerce is an instinctive ability for what anthropologists call “reciprocity”. This is an ability to exchange goods of equal worth, and it evolved as the brains o…
Passage preview
Humans are born to trade and we don’t need shops or money to do it—the heart of commerce is an instinctive ability for what anthropologists call “reciprocity”. This is an ability to exchange goods of equal worth, and it evolved as the brains of our ancient ancestors and societies became more complex, allowing individuals to keep a running tally of their interactions with others. Evidence from modern hunter-gatherers leaves little doubt that the exchange of food and favours is innate, as is the ability to keep track of the credits and debits that accrue as a result. Combine this skill for mental book-keeping with even the most basic material culture, and trade inevitably follows.
Vocabulary from this passage
9 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- accrue verb
To naturally accumulate, collect, or grow over a period of time, particularly concerning financial assets or social debts.
Significant economic benefits will accrue to the community once the new transportation infrastructure is fully operational.
- egalitarian adjective
Relating to the principle that all individuals are fundamentally equal and deserve identical societal rights and opportunities.
The Scandinavian countries are often cited as possessing highly egalitarian social structures and wealth distribution policies.
- elusive adjective
Notoriously difficult to find, capture, define, or achieve; displaying a tendency to evade physical or intellectual grasp.
Despite decades of intensive neurological research, a definitive cure for the degenerative disease remains elusive.
- hierarchical society noun
A social organization system rigidly structured into successive tiers of rank, status, wealth, or political authority.
Feudalism represents a classic hierarchical society where power flowed directly downward from the reigning monarch.
- innate adjective
Existing naturally within an individual from birth; an inherent, deeply ingrained characteristic rather than an acquired trait.
Linguists argue that human beings possess an innate cognitive capacity for acquiring complex grammatical structures.
- intangible quality noun
An essential attribute or characteristic that lacks physical substance but holds significant conceptual, emotional, or economic value.
Brand loyalty is an intangible quality that can drastically increase the market valuation of a commercial enterprise.
- reciprocity noun
A social system or practice involving the mutual exchange of goods, favors, or privileges to establish equal ongoing relationships.
The psychological principle of reciprocity explains why people feel obligated to return a favor when someone helps them.
- subsistence noun
The minimal state or action of maintaining oneself, acquiring just enough food and resources to guarantee survival.
Many ancient agricultural communities relied entirely on subsistence farming, leaving no surplus goods for economic trade.
- utilitarianism noun
An ideology or design philosophy prioritizing strict functional practicality and usefulness over aesthetic appeal or luxury.
The brutalist architecture movement heavily embraced utilitarianism, utilizing raw concrete and focusing entirely on structural purpose.
Answers with explanations
- 14. iv
Section A focuses on how trading is hardwired into human biology. The phrases **born to trade** and **instinctive ability** mean the exact same thing as a **natural human talent** (Heading iv).
- 15. iii
Section B discusses how modern consumerism involves valuing items far beyond their practical use (changes in value) and ends by directly asking a question (**Querying**) about why and when we started doing this: **When did humans start holding these goods in such high esteem?** This aligns with Heading iii.
- 16. vi
Section C contrasts the previous belief that consumer culture began 40,000 years ago with new **discoveries in Africa** (recent finds) that are **pushing the origins... much further back** (altering theories about when it started). This perfectly matches Heading vi.
- 17. ii
Section D outlines the physical evidence (**clues**) that prove the shells were not natural deposits but were worn as jewellery (**decorative**). The holes and the **pattern of wear** from rubbing against thread or clothes indicate they were used decoratively. Heading ii summarizes this.
- 18. v
Section E explores the evolutionary psychology of consumerism, stating that humans gain **respect** and **prestige** (status) through the **possession of material items** (ownership of goods). Heading v captures this main idea perfectly.
- 19. B
The text explicitly defines **reciprocity** as exchanging goods of equal worth and keeping a **running tally of their interactions** with others. This mental bookkeeping corresponds directly to option B: **monitor the balance between goods given and received**.
- 20. D
Researchers deduced the ochre had a symbolic, aesthetic purpose because it was **predominantly red** when **any of the other colours available would have done for curing**. This clearly indicates it was deliberately **selected for its colour** (Option D).
- 21. D
The researchers realized the shells were decorative beads because they had **consistently placed holes** and showed a **pattern of wear suggesting friction from rubbing against thread**. This perfectly aligns with Option D: they have holes and markings suggesting they were joined together.
- 22. I
The summary draws a comparison to humans showing off strength and fitness. The passage states that **In many animal species**, individuals signal their fitness by showing off with adornment. Therefore, 'species' (Option I) is the correct word to fill the gap.
- 23. F
The summary notes that successful people in ancient times gained something from demonstrating superiority. The text confirms that their superior skills **would have brought respect**. Option F ('respect') is the exact match.
- 24. A
The gap refers to what the desire for status led to among people wishing to achieve it. The passage explicitly states that the benefits of prestige led to **competition to acquire it**. Option A ('competitiveness') correctly captures this meaning.
- 25. J
The summary states this provided a basis for organised farming and another development. The text says it paved the way for **agriculture** (farming) and **urbanisation**. The concept of urbanisation is best matched by Option J, **city** (city development).
- 26. H
The summary mentions that modern items hold the same appeal for us as beads did for someone in the past. The passage frequently references how prestige goods were valued among **our ancestors**. Option H ('ancestors') fits perfectly into this historical comparison.