Agriculture Questions and Answers - Form 2 Mid Term 1 Exams 2023

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:

• This paper consists of three sections; A, B and C
• Answer ALL the questions in sections A, B and C.
• All answers to be written in English

SECTION A: 40 MARKS.
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THE SPACES PROVIDED.

1. Give four reasons why agriculture is important in the Kenya’s economy. (4 mks)
2. Differentiate between floriculture and pomoculture as used in horticultural farming. (1 mk)
3. Name a chemical used to achieve the following during water treatment.
   1. Killing pathogens (1 mk)
   2. Softening water (1 mk)
   3. Coagulation of solid particles (1 mk)
4. What is organic farming? (1 mk)
5. Mention three aspects of rainfall that influence the choice of crops grown in an area. (3 mks)
6. Describe the uses of various tools a farmer would use to construct a barbed wire fence. (5 mks)
7. Give reasons why burning is discouraged as a method of land clearing. (4 mks)
8.  
   1. Name four types of pumps used in the farm (4 mks)
   2. State three features of plastic water pipes a farmer should consider when buying. (3 mks)
9. Describe four characteristics of a fertile soil. (4 mks)
10. Give four benefits of good soil aeration. (4 mks)
11. State four physical characteristics of good dairy cow for breeding. (4 mks)

SECTION B: 30 MARKS    
ANSWER ALLL QUESTIONS IN THE SPACES PROVIDED.

12. A student set up an experiment to determine a certain aspect of soil
           
    1. What was the aim of the experiment? (1 mk)
    2. What are the expected results at the end of the experiment in A and B (2 mks)
    3. Explain the results in both A and B. (2 mks)
13. The diagram below shows a method of drainage.
          
    1. Identify the method of drainage shown in the diagram. (1 mk)
    2. Name the parts labeled A and B. (2 mks)
    3. Give four importance of drainage in agricultural production. (2 mks)
14. The diagram below shows a composite heap. Study it carefully and answer questions that follow.
           
    1. Name the parts labeled
       1. X
       2. Y
       3. Z
    2. Give the importance of adding M and N when preparing composite manure. (2 mks)
    3. Explain the use of a long sharp pointed stick driven into the heap. (1 mk)
15. Diagrams A, B, C and D represents some farm tools.
           
    1. Identify the tools
       1. A
       2. B
       3. C
       4. D
    2. Give the use of tools B and C (2 mks)
       1. B
       2. C
    3. Describe two maintenance practices that should be carried out on tool A. (2 mks)
16. The diagrams below illustrate pig breeds.
           
    1. Identify the pig breeds A and B. (2 mks)
       1. A
       2. B
    2. State the outstanding physical characteristics of pig breeds A and B. (2 mks)
17. The table below shows a format of a record.
    

    Date	Disease symptom	Livestock affected	Drugs used	Cost of treatment	Remarks

    1. Name the farm record illustrated above. (1 mk)
    2. Give three uses of the farm record shown above. (3 mks)

SECTION C: 30 MARKS   
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THE SPACES PROVIDED

18.  
    1. Give five problems associated with shifting cultivation. (5 mks)
    2. Describe environmental conditions that may lead to low crop yield (6 mks)
    3. Give four reasons for preparing a seedbed before planting. (4 mks)
19.  
    1. Give five uses of water in the farm. (5 mks)
    2. Describe the agricultural practices that cause water pollution (5 mks)
    3. Describe the reasons for adding organic matter in the soil. (5 mks)

MARKING SCHEME

1. Give four reasons why agriculture is important in the Kenya’s economy. (4 mks)
   • Source of food
   • Source of employment
   • Source of raw materials for agro – based industries
   • Provision of foreign exchange
   • Source of capital through taxation of farmers and other related organizations
   • Promotion of international relations through exports and imports of agricultural goods (4X1=4 mks)
2. Differentiate between floriculture and pomoculture as used in horticultural farming. (1 mk)
   • Floriculture – growing of flowers
   • Pomoculture – growing of fruits  (1X1=1mk; mark as whole)
3. Name a chemical used to achieve the following during water treatment.
   1. Killing pathogens (1 mk)
      • Chlorine (1X1=1mk)
   2. Softening water (1 mk)
      • Soda ash  (1X1=1mk)
   3. Coagulation of solid particles (1 mk)
      • Alum (1X1=1mk)
4. What is organic farming? (1 mk)
   • Farming where crops are grown and livestock reared without use of agrochemicals (1X1=1mk)
5. Mention three aspects of rainfall that influence the choice of crops grown in an area. (3 mks
   • Reliability
   • Amount
   • Distribution
   • Intensity  (3X1 = 3mks)
6. Describe the uses of various tools a farmer would use to construct a barbed wire fence. (5 mks)
   1. Hand saw / bow saw – cutting barbed wire
   2. Hole digger / soil auger – making holes for fencing posts
   3. Claw hammer – diving in nails
   4. Spade/shovel – concrete mixing
   5. Plumb bob – checking on the verticalness of the posts
   6. Mallet – driving wood chisel (5X1=5mks)
7. Give reasons why burning is discouraged as a method of land clearing. (4 mks)
   • Destroys soil organic matter
   • Kills soil living organisms
   • Leads to loss of soil moisture
   • Destroys plant nutrients
   • Causes mineral imbalance through ash accumulation
   • Leads to soil erosion (4X1= 4 mks)
8.  
   1. Name four types of pumps used in the farm  (4 mks)
      • Centrifugal / rotor dynamic 
      • Piston / reciprocating
      • Semi rotary
      • Hydram (4X1 =4mks)
   2. State three features of plastic water pipes a farmer should consider when buying. (3 mks)
      • Durability 
      • Color
      • Flexibility 
      • Workability (3X1 = 3mks)
9. Describe four characteristics of a fertile soil. (4 mks)
   • Good water holding capacity
   • Correct soil PH relation to the crop grown
   • Have essential elements in the right proportions
   • Well aerated
   • Free from excess soil borne pests and diseases
   • Have proper drainage
10. Give four benefits of good soil aeration. (4 mks)
    1. Improves microbial activities
    2. Provides the oxygen necessary for respiration by roots
    3. Provides the oxygen required by nitrogen fixing bacteria
    4. Improves the general performance of a crop
    5. Makes soil less toxic because of efficient gaseous exchange. (1X4=4mk)
11. State four physical characteristics of good dairy cow for breeding. (4 mks)
    1. Straight top line
    2. Wedge shaped
    3. Well set hind quarters
    4. Large and well developed udder
    5. Large stomach
    6. Less fresh
    7. Prominent milk veins (4X1=4 mks)

SECTION B: 30 MARKS
ANSWER ALLL QUESTIONS IN THE SPACES PROVIDED.

12. A student set up an experiment to determine a certain aspect of soil
    1. What was the aim of the experiment? (1 mk)
       • To show presence of living organisms in the soil (1X1=1mk)
    2. What are the expected results at the end of the experiment in A and B (2 mks)
       • The lime water remained clear (1X1=1mk)
    3. Explain the results in both A and B. (2 mks)
       • A – The living organisms in the fresh soil respired and produced carbon IV oxide which turns lime water milky (1X1=1mk)
       • B – the living organisms in B were killed when the soil was heated therefore no respiration occurred and no carbon IV oxide was released. (1X1=1mk)
13. The diagram below shows a method of drainage.
    1. Identify the method of drainage shown in the diagram. (1 mk)
       • Use of cambered beds (1X1=1mk)
    2. Name the parts labeled A and B. (2 mks)
       • A – Raised bed  (1X1=1mk)
       • B – Furrow (1X1=1mk)
    3. Give four importance of drainage in agricultural production. (2 mks)
       1. To remove toxic substances
       2. To reduce soil erosion
       3. To increase microbial activities
       4. To raise the soil temperature
       5. To increase the soil volume
       6. To increase soil aeration (4X ½ = 2mks)
14. The diagram below shows a composite heap. Study it carefully and answer questions that follow.
    1. Name the parts labeled
       1. X – maize stalk forming foundation
       2. Y – grass, leaves, refuse etc
       3. Z – manure (3X1=3mks)
    2. Give the importance of adding M and N when preparing composite manure. (2 mks)
       1. M – to improve the level of phosphorus and potassium in resulting manure
       2. N – it introduces micro – organisms necessary for the decomposition of the organic materials (2X1=2mks)
    3. Explain the use of a long sharp pointed stick driven into the heap. (1 mk)
       • Used for checking temperatures within the heap from time to time so as to maintain the correct temperature (1X1=1mk)
15. Diagrams A, B, C and D represent some farm tools.
    1. Identify the tools
       1. A – sickle
       2. B – pruning saw
       3. C – steel float
       4. D – mason’s trowel (4X ½ = 2mks)
    2. Give the use of tools B and C (2 mks)
       1. B – for pruning the hard branches of coffee (1X1=1mk)
       2. C – for spreading screed over floors/walls (1X1=1mk)
    3. Describe two maintenance practices that should be carried out on tool A. (2 mks)
       Tool A
       • straighten the blade when bent
       • Sharpen the teeth when blunt
       • Teeth setting (2X1=2mks)
16. The diagrams below illustrate pig breeds.
    1. Identify the pig breeds A and B. (2 mks)
       1. A – large white (1X1=1mk)
       2. B – landrace (1X1=1mk)
    2. State the outstanding physical characteristics of pig breeds A and B. (2 mks)
       

       Pig breed A	Pig breed B
       Has upright ears	Dropping ears
       Slight dished snout	Dished snout

       (1X1=1mk)                                                                                                                 (1X1=1mk)
17. The table below shows a format of a record.
    1. Name the farm record illustrated above. (1 mk)
       • Health record (1X1=1mk)
    2. Give three uses of the farm record shown above. (3 mks)
       • Used during selection and culling of animals on health grounds
       • Help in calculation of treatment cost
       • They show the course of action to be taken in maintenance of health, e.g. when to carry out vaccination. (3X1=3mks)

SECTION C : 30 MARKS
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THE SPACES PROVIDED

18.  
    1. Give five problems associated with shifting cultivation. (5 mks)
       • Difficult to provide the farmer with extension services
       • Poor soil and water conservation measures
       • Farmer cannot have permanent projects on the land
       • Low yields per unit area are obtained
       • Cannot be carried out in areas of high population density
       • A lot of time is wasted in movement and building new farm structures
       • Farmer has no incentives to improve land and conserve soil as he has no title deed. (5X1 = 5mks)
    2. Describe environmental conditions that may lead to low crop yield (6 mks)
       • Heavy rainfall causes lodging of crops and soil erosion
       • Strong winds cause soil erosion
       • Extreme temperatures causes wilting and drying of crops
       • Light of high intensity causes stomata to open hence increasing the rate of transpiration and wilting in crops\Crop pests lower the quality and quantity of farm produce
       • Poor soils have fewer nutrients needed for crop growth. (6X1=6 mks)
    3. Give four reasons for preparing a seedbed before planting. (4 mks)
       1. To kill weeds
       2. To make planting easy
       3. To improve soil aeration
       4. To improve water infiltration
       5. To expose soil – borne pests to the heat of the sun and to predators like birds
       6. For proper root penetration. (4X1=4mks)
19.  
    1. Give five uses of water in the farm. (5 mks)
       • Diluting chemicals e.g. pesticides
       • Watering livestock
       • Processing of farm produce like coffee
       • Cooling farm machinery e.g. tractors
       • Rearing fish in fish ponds
       • Irrigation 
       • Cleaning farm tools, equipment and structures like pig house, etc (5X1=5mks)
    2. Describe the agricultural practices that cause water pollution (5 mks)
       1. Use of inorganic fertilizers
       2. Use of pesticides
       3. Over cultivation
       4. Overgrazing due to overstocking
       5. Cultivation along the river banks
       6. Watering livestock directly in rivers   (5X1=5mks)
    3. Describe the reasons for adding organic matter in the soil. (5 mks)
       • Release plant nutrients after decomposition
       • Moderates soil PH
       • Increases microbial activities e.g. decomposition 
       • Improves soil structure by binding soil particles together
       • Improves soil water holding capacity of soil due to its spongy and colloidal nature
       • Improves soil aeration through improvement of the soil structure.(5X1=5 mks)