Centre Candidate

Number Number

SOLOMON ISLANDS SCHOOL CERTIFICATE

2008

AGRICULTURE

FRIDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER. 8.00 AM TIME: 3 HOURS plus

10 minutes reading time

SECTION CONTENT MARKS

A 30 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 30

B 35 SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS 105

C 9 LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS 33

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Do not open this Booklet until told to do so.

2. Write both your centre and candidate numbers in the spaces provided
at the top right corner.
3. Write your answers in the spaces provided in this Booklet.
4. Questions on Poultry and Pigs are optional and student MUST
attempt either questions on poultry or questions on Pig but not both

THIS BOOKLET CONTAINS 35 NUMBERED PAGES

SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Instructions

1. This section is worth 25 marks and there are 25 multiple choice

questions worth 1 mark each.

2. Circle the best answer A B C or D.

E.g. A B C D (You think A is the correct answer). But if

you want to change your answer, cross out your first choice and circle
your new choice.

E.g. A B C D (You think D is the correct answer).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Which of the following is the largest component of soil?

A. Air spaces
B. Mineral matter
C. Organic matter
D. Water.

2. The breaking down of rocks into smaller particles is called

A. decomposition
B. mineralization
C. nitrification
D. weathering.

3. During extremely dry conditions, the pore spaces of the soil may be
filled only with

A. moisture
B. micro-organisms
C. water
D. air.

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4. Soil texture can be determined by ‘ribbon method’. So if you mould a
ball of soil into a solid ribbon and form a circle which is smooth, then
we can say that the soil is

A. clay
B. clay loam
C. light clay
D. loam.

5. A fertile soil has

A. a lot of compost
B. enough plant nutrients in the right amount
C. high percentage of nitrogen
D. available inorganic fertilizers.

6. Which of the options below will satisfy the requirement necessary for
a seed to germinate?

A. Air, soil and water

B. Air, warmth and water
C. Sunlight, air and water
D. Sunlight, warmth and water.

7. Closer spacing of vegetable crops are not recommended because

plants will.

A. grow well and healthy

B. reduce growth of pests and diseases
C. compete for plant food
D. kills other useful insects and plants

2
8. Seed requires a fertile and fine-textured soil mixture. This can be
made of equal quantities of.

A. sand and organic matter

B. sand, silt and clay soil
C. sterilized sand, topsoil and well-decomposed organic matter
D. sterilized soil

9. Hardening of young plants or seedlings is done before transplanting

to

A. help the young plants get use to the outside environment

B. make the seedlings grow healthy
C. allow the seedlings to receive enough direct sunlight
D. assist the young plants to grow thin and long.

10. If you want to harvest mature nutritious vegetables, you have to know
when they are ready for picking. Leaving vegetables for too long or
allowing them to reach full maturity on the plant is not good as they
will

A. loose their nutritional value

B. become too acidic to eat
C. become too tough and loses flavour
D. change their size and shape.

11. Animal husbandry means

A. giving more food to the animals

B. sufficiently providing for the needs of your animal
C. providing shelter for your animals
D. protecting your animals from thieves.

3
12. One important function of proteins is

A. to protect the animal

B. for reproduction
C. for doing work
D. for maintenance and growth.

13. Another name for free range system of keeping pig or poultry is

A. extensive system
B. semi-extensive system
C. tethering system
D. intensive system.

14. One common feature of free range system of keeping pig or poultry is
that the animals

A. are provided little shelter

B. are supplemented with commercial feeds
C. are treated regularly for pests and diseases infestation
D. survives by eating food they can get from the surrounding.

15. Free air movement is important in pig and poultry houses to

A. drive out the bad smell

B. kill the germs
C. ensure that fresh air gets to the animals
D. keep the house in a humid condition.

4
16. The corm of taro is actually a:

A. cormel
B. rhizome
C. stem
D. tuber

17. It is possible to propagate swamp taro by

A. cutting and seeds

B. Top and cormlets
C. Top and suckers
D. seeds and top

18. The most suitable way to propagate sweet potato is through

A. Cutting
B. tubers
C. underground stem
D. sprouting tubers

19. Study carefully the picture of banana fruit given on the diagram
below. What would you call it?

A. a bunch B. a finger C. a hand D. a bell

20. Another name used for cocoa terminal shoot is the

A. jorquette
B. fan branches
C. chupon
D. trunk

5
21. Cocoa should be planted from seed preferably, since trees produced
from seed

A. has a desirable growth form

B. has large pod and bean
C. produces good cocoa for chocolate manufacturing
D. is resistant to black pod diseases

22. Harvesting of cocoa pod should be done with a sharp instrument to

give a clean cut which minimizes disease infection. Cutting should be
close to the tree just above the thickened

A. fan branches
B. jorquette
C. trunk
D. cushion

23. The breed of cattle shown in the diagram is called____________

A. Buffalo B. Brahman C. Drought master D. Hereford

24. A lactating cow is one that is _________

A. giving birth
B. ovulating
C. pregnant
D. producing milk

25. Salt block are given to cattle to______________

A. give animals more energy

B. enables animals to grow well
C. supplement their diets with mineral salt
D. makes them more productive

6
26. Gene is define as the basic unit of heredity found in the ___________

A. Nucleus of living organisms

B. mitochondria of living organisms
C. Alleles of living organisms
D. Cytoplasm of living organisms

27. The ratio of obtaining Pp from F1 crossing a Polled (P) and horned (p)
cattle breed as illustrated in the diagram below is _____________

P p
P PP Pp
p Pp pp

A. 5%
B. 15%
C. 25%
D. 50%

28. In genetic terms, phenotype of an animal breed is referred to as

the_________

A. physical appearances or outcome of the animal breed

B. the genetic make-up of the animal breed
C. homozygous ness of the animal breed
D. crossing of the homozygous genes

29. To promote consistent growth and development, day old chicks’

broiler should be given a ration of ______during the first 2 weeks

A. broiler finisher
B. broiler grower
C. broiler starter
D. broiler balance diet

30. Some of the criteria used in the selection of suitable breeding stocks
are given below except

A. rapid growth rate 30 marks

B. market requirements of the area
C. food conversion ratio
D. high fertility

7
SECTION B: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Instructions:

1. This section is worth 105 marks.

2. You must answer the questions briefly but clearly in the spaces
provided.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE

Q. 31. (i). List one factor which make agriculture important to the Solomon
Islands (1 mark).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

(ii).Give one example of a crop that is grown under commercial

agriculture for industrial uses (1 mark).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

2 marks

8
2. SOILS

Q. 32
(i). Define the following terms briefly (4marks)

Soil Profile - __________________________________________________________

Soil Particle - __________________________________________________________

Leaching ____________________________________________________________

Soil Structure ______________________________________________________

(ii). List any two management methods a farmer can use to keep the soil
fertile (2 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 33. Describe briefly two problems that may affect plants if there is too
much water in the soil (2 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

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ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 34. What two things would you advise a farmer (who has experienced the
above problem) to carry out on his farm in order to address the above
problems? (2 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 35.Study the description of garden A and B below. Both gardens have a

higher percentage of clay type soil but they employ different methods
of farming.

Garden A Garden B
™ Methods of clearing- ™ Methods of clearing-burning.
branches removal. ™ No mulching.
™ Practice mulching. ™ Use hoe to cultivate.
™ Using pole (stick) to ™ Practice making drainage.
cultivate. ™ Sprinkler watering.
™ No drainage practices.
™ Sprinkler watering.

(i). Burning practice will have several problems on the soil in garden B.
State one problem (1 mark).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

10
(ii). Which cultivation practice or method used by both gardens damaged the
soil most and why? (2 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

(iii). Soil erosion will take place more in garden B than in garden A. Briefly
explain why this is true (using the description provided in the table)
(3 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 36. The soil in garden A will hold a lot of water compared to garden B.
Give one reason for this (1 mark).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

11
Q. 37. In the natural forest there is an on going cycle of plants and animals
remain as shown on the diagram below. Study the diagram carefully
and answer the following questions:

Plant & animals Organic matter

Nutrients Humus

(i). What is the difference between organic matter and humus? (2 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

(ii). Give an example of a decomposer. (1 mark).

__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

(iii). What other benefit does humus provide to the soil apart from providing
nutrients? (1 mark).

__________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

21 marks

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3. VEGETABLES

Q.38. State two ways in which plants can reproduce (2 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 39. Explain briefly why a well prepared nursery is important for

germination and growth of vegetable seedlings? (4 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

iii.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

iv.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 40. List three importance of water to plants. (3 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

iii.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

13
Q. 41. List and describe four benefits of mulch in relation to vegetable
production. (4 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

iii.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

iv.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 42. Outline four features of an ideal soil mix for a nursery seed box.
(4 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 43. What three benefits would a farmer get from rotating his vegetable
crops? (3 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

20 marks

14
4. INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL HUSBANDRY/NUTRITION

Q. 44.

(i). Give one example of a local food that has high content of each type of
food group on the table below. (2 marks).

Type of food group Local food

Carbohydrate E.g.

Protein E.g.

(ii). Water is very important for animal nutrition. An animal deprived of

water, can die sooner than one deprived of food. State three functions
of water. (3 marks)

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

iii.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

5 marks

15
5. POULTRY (OPTION 1)

Q. 45. Give any two systems of raising chickens. (2 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 46. What four factors would a farmer need to consider when choosing a
suitable site for a chicken project? (4 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
iii.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
iv.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 47. When raising birds for egg production, it is important to cull the hens
at certain point in their production life span. Give two reasons why it
is important to cull hens? (2 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

16
Q. 48. A day old chick weighing 20 grams was given a ration of 0.4kg of
starter feed for two weeks. At the end of two weeks, the chick weighs
200 grams. Calculate the FCR of the chick (4 marks).

12 marks

17
5. PIG (Option 2)

Q. 45. State two features of a local pig breed. (2 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Q. 46. A sow cannot conceive if mating does not take place during the right
period of the oestrous cycle. State four signs which indicate that a
sow or gilt is ‘on heat’ (4 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

iii.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

iv.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 47. Mange or mite is one serious external parasite affecting pigs. Can you
suggest two effects of the parasites and one way to control it?
(4marks).
Effects:
i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

18
Control:
i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 48. Study the diagram given below and answer (a) and (b).

(a). Name the part labeled 106 on the female pig reproductive system
(1 mark).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

(b). What is the function of the part indicated 106 in relation to animal
reproduction? (1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

12 marks

19
6. ROOT CROPS

Q49. What is the scientific name for sweet potato? (1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q50. State three qualities of a sweet potato variety that you would select to
grow for market purposes. (3 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

iii.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q51. State two preparation tasks for sweet potato tubers before presenting
them for sale at the market. Explain the reason for each task
(4 marks).

Task1:____________________________________________________________________
Reason___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Task2:____________________________________________________________________
Reason___________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

8 marks

20
7. FRUITS

Q. 52. Why is de-suckering important in fruit trees? Give two reasons

(2 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 53. Name one common insect pest of banana and explain how this insect
cause damage to the crop (banana). (5 marks).

(i).Name of Insect_________________________________________________

(ii). Damage caused__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

7 marks

21
8. COCOA

Q. 54. Study the diagram given below

(i). What is the name of the tool shown on the diagram? (1 mark).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(ii). What is it used for? (1 mark)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 55. (i). Briefly explain how ripe cocoa pod is harvested (2 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

22
 (ii).Thorough checks of dry cocoa beans prior to bagging is important.
List three things that a farmer should look for before bagging the
beans . (3 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
iii.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 56. Describe the features of soil that is ideal for growing cocoa (2 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

9 marks

23
9. CATTLE & PASTURES

Q. 57. State one reason why cattle farmers need to have paddock in their
cattle farm (1 mark).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 58. List and describe two problems faced by cattle farmers in the
Solomon Islands. (4 marks).

Problem1:_________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Effects:
________________________________________________________________________

Problem2_________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Effects:
________________________________________________________________________

Q. 59. Cattle are ruminant animals. Briefly outline the steps involved in the
process of digestion in ruminant animals. (4 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

24
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 60. (i). Cattle need food for their maintenance and production. Write
down any two practices a farmer must do to provide enough
food all year round. (2 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

25
 (ii). Study the diagram below and answer questions (a) and (b).

Paddock A Paddock B Paddock C Paddock D Paddock E

(a). What type of grazing management system is represented by the diagram.

(1 mark).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

(b). State three features of the above grazing management system.

(3 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

15 marks

26
10. GENETICS

Q. 61. Define the term genetics. (1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 62. Why is genetics important and relevant on agriculture production?

Give three reasons (3 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
iii.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_

Q. 63. State three reasons why breeding is important for livestock

improvement. (3 marks).

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

iii.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

27
Q. 64. Draw a diagram to illustrate the concept of cross breeding in animals
(3 marks).

10 marks

11. ANIMAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Q. 65.(i). Differentiate the terms “growth” and “development”. (2 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

(ii). Write down any two factors which influence animal growth and
development. (2 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

28
Q. 66.Suggest two nutritional factors which affect an animal’s growth and
development. (2 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

6 marks

29
Section D: LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

This section is worth 33 marks and students must attempt all questions in
this section.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. COCONUT INTEGRATED WITH FARM STUDIES

Study the information given on the Table 1 carefully and answer questions
67, 68 and 69.

Table 1
Plantation A Plantation B

¾ Coconut plantation weeded. ¾ Coconut plantation not weeded

¾ Some fertilizer application ¾ No fertilizer application
was done (Nitrogen). ¾ Farmer seek no technical
¾ Farmer seeks technical support
support from agriculture ¾ Pests and diseases infestation
department. ¾ Coconut produced an average of
¾ Plantation almost free from 13 leaves
pests and diseases ¾ Coconut tree produce an average
infestation. of 1 nut per tree.
¾ Coconut trees on average ¾ No replanting is done
produce 19 leaves to each ¾ No proper nursery for raising
tree. seedlings
¾ Coconut tree have on ¾ No recruitment of labor (casual)
average of 12 nuts formed by ¾ Low copra production
each tree. ¾ No permanent market outlet
¾ Done some replanting.
¾ Establish pre-nursery and
nursery
¾ Nuts for seedling production
are selected from good stock.
¾ Recruitment of permanent
and casual labor
¾ High copra production
¾ Established market outlet

30
Q. 67. (i). State four things to prove that plantation A is more productive
than plantation B (4 marks).

a._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

b._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

c._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

d._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

(ii). State any four things that contributed towards the low production in
Plantation B (4 marks).

a._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
b._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
c._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
d._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

31
Q. 68. As a new farm manager, give five priority areas you would need to
address in order to rehabilitate and improve plantation B and why?
(10 marks).

Priorities Reasons for carrying out

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Q. 69. Amblypelta is one bad pest, if not controlled will affect the yield of
coconut.
(i). What damage does Amblypelta caused to the coconut? (2 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

(ii). How would you control the pest Amblypelta? (2 marks).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

22 marks

32
2. FARM MANAGEMENT

Q.70. Define briefly the following farm management terms (4 marks)

(i). Fixed cost: ____________________________________________________________

(ii). Variable cost: _________________________________________________________

(iii). Gross income: ________________________________________________________

(iv). Partial budget_________________________________________________________

Q.71. (i). Recording keeping is very important in farming. In your own

words, explain what is Record keeping. (1 mark).

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

(ii). State two types of farm records (2 marks)

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Q. 72. (i). What type of person is a farm manager? (1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

(ii). State at least three possible roles of a farm manager (3 marks)

i._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

33
ii._________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

iii.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

11 marks

34
 FOR MARKERS USE ONLY

SECTIONS QUESTIONS EXAM MARKS STUDENTS

MARKS

SECTION A 1 -- 30 30
SECTION B
Introd. to agric (Q31) 2

Soils (Q32-Q34) 21

Vegetables (Q 35- 20
Q40)
Intro.
Animal/Nutrition 5
(Q41-Q42)
Poultry OR Pig
(Q43-Q46) 12

Root crops (Q47-Q49) 8

Fruits (Q50-Q51) 7

Cocoa (Q52-Q55) 9

Cattle & Pasture

(Q56-Q59) 15

Genetics (Q60-Q63) 10
Growth/Development
(Q64-Q65) 6

SECTION C Coconut integrated

with farm studies 22
(Q66-Q70)
Farming studies
(Q71-Q74) 11

TOTAL 178

35