MOCK EXAM

1

RIO CLARO EAST SECONDARY SCHOOL

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (Single Award)

MOCK CXC EXAMS 2014FORM 5 GROUPS 2, 3 & 4

TEACHERS: Mr. Ramdatt & Mrs. Maharaj

PAPER 02 - GENERAL PROFICIENCYTIME: 2 hrs

NAME: ____________________________FORM 5 GROUP _________

ANSWER SCHEME

READ THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY

1. There are nine questions in this test, six in Section I and three in Section II. Answer ALL questions

2. Each Question in Section I carries 4 marks. Each question in Section II carries 12 marks

3. Use black or blue ink pens ONLY. Pencils should be used for drawing and labelling.

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

SECTION I

Answer ALL questions in this section

Write your answers in the spaces provided

1(a)State TWO factors that may affect food security in the Caribbean

Poverty, global population growth, climate change, loss of land, increased production of biofuels on agricultural land

(2 marks)

(b)Belair Hotel Chain requires high quality eggs that are safe to consume. Suggest TWO good agricultural practices that farmers should follow to supply eggs to the hotel.

Clean eggs before packaging by wiping with a damp cloth. Eggs should be packaged right after collection and cleaning. Keep pens clean (clean feeders and waterers and turn litter regularly).

(2 marks)

Total 4 marks

2Agriculture makes very significant contributions to the development of national, regional and international economies.

(a) List TWO contributions which agriculture can make to the national economy

Reduces food import bill, contributes to GDP, increases food security, provide employment, create trade opportunities with other countries

(2 marks)

(b) Suggest TWO ways by which the Ministry of Agriculture can support young people who are involved in agricultural production

Awards for youth in agriculture. Subsidies, training programs

(2 marks)

Total 4 marks

3Soil erosion occurs as a result of the actions of wind and water

(a)Explain how water causes soil erosion

The removal of soil by splashing, rill and gully, surface removal, or sheet run off

(2 marks)

(b) Mulch, when used as a soil erosion control method, harbours pests. Conservation techniques such as strip cropping, however, do not present such problems.

Suggest TWO OTHER conservation techniques that can be used to reduce soil erosion.

contour terracing, vegetative cover, minimum tillage, contour drains, ridges

(2 marks)

Total 4 marks

4.Figure 1 shows the demand and supply curves for sorrel in the Caribbean

(a) Identify X and Y in Figure 1.

Xdemand curve

Yequilibrium point

(2 marks)

(b) A farmer observes over the years that in January there is an oversupply of sorrel on the market. Suggest TWO strategies that the farmer can use to make money from his surplus sorrel crop.

(i) processing

(ii) export

(2 marks)

Total 4 marks

5.Figure 4 is a drawing showing a technique used in rearing cows

(a)Identify the technique shown in Figure 4

Artificial insemination

(1 mark)

(b)Describe this technique

The technician inserts his hand into the rectum of the cow and manipulates the catheter containing semen into the uterus

(1mark)

(c)Suggest TWO reasons why this technique is highly recommended

Cheaper than using a bull for stud service, reduces risk of venereal disease, improved record keeping

(2 marks)

Total 4 marks

6 (a)The germination of seeds is affected by the depth at which they are planted. List TWO OTHER factors which affect the germination of seeds planted in the field.

Viability of the seed, pest and disease, temperature, moisture

(2 marks)

(b) In an experiment, a student observes that the germination of seeds is higher in new, unused seedling trays than in trays which have been previously used.

(i)Suggest ONE reason that may account for this observation

The tray is uncontaminated by any disease causing organisms

(1mark)

(ii)Describe ONE measure the student can undertake to improve the germination of seeds sown in seedling trays which have been previously used.

Sterilize the trays

(1 mark)

Total 4 marks

SECTION II

Answer ALL questions in this section

7(a)The rising price of wheat on the world market has led to increases in the price of flour in a Caribbean island. The government has decided to substitute 20% of wheat flour with cassava flour.

State THREE subsidies or incentives that the government could provide to farmers to encourage the expansion of cassava production.

Subsidies for fertilizers, storage equipment and amount of cassava produced

(3 marks)

(b) Farmer Raynell has prepared a complete budget for producing sweet potato on 10 hectares of land. She decides to purchase a tractor to assist in the clearing of land, instead of using a hired tractor service which costs $110 per hectare

Table 1 shows Raynells projections for the tractor

TABLE 1: BUDGET PROJECTIONS FOR A TRACTOR

Items

$

Purchase of tractor

12 000

Net disposable value of tractor (after five years)

3 000

Additional costs

Annual depreciation

?

Repairs

200

Fuel

400

Interest on tractor loan

1 000

Insurance on tractor

100

Labour (to drive tractor)

300

(i) What type of budget should Raynell do for the change in her plans, that is, to buy a tractor instead of hiring a tractor?

Partial budget

(1 mark)

(ii) Identify TWO fixed costs and TWO variable costs in Table 1.

Fixed costs annual depreciation, insurance on tractor, interest

Variable costs labour, repairs, fuel

(3marks)

(iii) Calculate the annual depreciation on the tractor using the following formula:

Cost of tractor net disposable value of tractor = Depreciation

5

$1800

(1mark)

(iv)Raynell also decides that she will rent her tractor at a cost of $100 per hectare to the other farmers in her district, who farm on a total of 50 hectares. Calculate the additional income that Raynell will gain from renting the tractor to the other farmers. (Show your working)

50 100 = $5000

(2 marks)

(v) Calculate net change in profit or loss, using the following formula:

Net change in profit/loss = Additional income Additional costs

Calculated in (iv) (shown in Table 1)

5000 3800 = 1200

(2 marks)

Total 12 marks

8.(a)IPM means Integrated Pest Management.

(i)Explain the concept of IPM

It uses a combination of methods for controlling pests and diseases. Chemical control is used only as a last resort and largely relies on cultural and biological methods.

(2 marks)

(ii)State one advantage of IPM

It reduces the use of chemical pesticides and weedicides

(1 mark)

(b)Mr. Fuentes is a cabbage farmer who practices monocropping on a one hectare plot of land. Lately his cabbage crop is not growing well because of high levels of weed infestation.

(i)Suggest THREE different IPM measures (other than chemical) which Mr. Fuentes could use to control the weeds and for EACH measure, explain how it would cause a reduction in weed

infestation

Tillage turning up the soil helps to clear the area of weeds.

Hand weeding removal of weeds by hand leaving only the crop

Biological control e.g., using animals that feed on weeds e.g. Rabbits.

(6 marks)

(ii)Suggest a cropping system other than monocropping, that will lead to a reduction in weed infestation in Mr. Fuentess cabbage plot and briefly explain how it will lead to a reduction in weed growth.

Crop rotation crops are constantly being rotated and as the land is prepared for planting each time, weeds are kept under control.

(3 marks)

Total 12 marks

9(a) (i)State TWO effects that the overuse of fertilizers may have on the environment.

Eutrophication or algal bloom

Increased acidity of soil

(2 marks)

(ii)State ONE benefit of mulching.

Conserves water (1 mark)

(b) A farmer cultivates a leafy vegetable crop and a root crop on flat land. Compare the cultivating practices (similarities and differences) of these TWO crops under the following headings:

(i) Land Preparation

Land is tilled deeply for root crops and more shallow for leafy crops. Shallow beds are made for leafy crops but root crops require the soil to be banked. Organic manure can be applied to the soil for both crops

(ii) Fertilizer application

Leafy crops require nitrogenous fertilizers which can be applied as a foliar application. Root crops require phosphatic fertilizers which needs to be applied by drilling into the soil or using a side dressing or row application

(iii) Harvesting and post- harvest handling

Leafy crops are cut at the base of the stem, the old leaves are removed, it is washed and packed loosely in crates. Root crops need to be dug out with a fork, taking care not to harm the roots. The tubers are pulled out, the dirt is removed and they are dried in the sun. They are then packed into crates.

(9 marks)

Total 12 marks

END OF TEST