NZASE UNIT STANDARD ITEM BANK QUESTIONS

Each of the following questions is stand-alone and can be used to assess the element below:

The intention of this item bank is for assessors to develop assessment tasks by choosing complete
questions.

Note: If combining parts of questions, you must make sure all Performance Criteria for an element
are included in the assessment task.

Unit Standard 18979

Number

Unit Standard Title Demonstrate knowledge of chemical processes in the context of

the environment.

Element 3 Describe a chemical process used to produce an

agricultural chemical.

PC 3.1 The description identifies a raw material or product.

PC 3.2 The description outlines two key steps in the process.

QUESTION A:
You have studied the process used to make the following agricultural chemical.

___________________________________________________________
(teacher to fill in before test)

1. Name a raw material needed to make this agricultural chemical.

Insert 1 line
3.1

2. Complete the following table to describe what happens in three key steps in the
process used to make this agricultural chemical.
Step What happens in this step

3.2

QUESTION A:
PC Evidence Judgement
3.1 Eg Sulfuric acid, rock phosphate. Raw material identified
3.2 Eg Grinding the rock into small TWO key steps outlined
pieces.
Reacting the rock phosphate with
sulfuric acid.
Made into small granules.
Stored for several days during curing.
QUESTION B:
Read the following information on the making of an agricultural chemical.

The first step in the process is reacting natural gas with steam. This forms a mixture of
carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) gases.

The next step is to add air to this mixture of gases. The carbon monoxide then reacts to
form carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is removed from the mixture so that it can be
used later.

In the next step the gases left, mainly hydrogen and nitrogen are put under high pressure
which causes ammonia (NH3) to form.

Next the ammonia is reacted with carbon monoxide to form a solution of urea.

NH3 + CO CO(NH2)3

Lastly the solution of urea is made into solid crystals of urea.

Source: adapted from http://www.ballance.co.nz/images/pdfs/handbook/Fertman.pdf

1. Name a raw material used in the above process.

Insert 1 line

2. Name the chemical that is made in the above process.

Insert 1 line

3.1
3. Complete the following table to describe what happens in three key steps in the
process used to make this agricultural chemical.

Step What happens in this step

3.2

QUESTION B:
Q PC Evidence Judgement
B1 3.1 Eg Natural gas, steam, air One raw material or product identified
2 Ammonia, Urea
3 3.2 Eg
• Natural gas is reacted with TWO key steps outlined
steam.
• Air is then added, carbon
monoxide reacts to carbon
dioxide, carbon dioxide is
removed.
• Hydrogen and nitrogen
compressed to form ammonia.
• Ammonia reacted with carbon
monoxide to form urea.
• Urea made into crystals.

QUESTION C:
Read this piece of writing about "Lime".

"There are several substances that are often called lime. Chalk, marble, and
limestone are different forms of the same chemical, calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
Calcium carbonate is found in sea shells and egg shells. It is also called Garden
Lime by gardeners who use it to reduce soil acidity. Then there is another lime
called Quicklime, Calcium oxide(CaO). Quicklime is made by crushing and
burning limestone (calcium carbonate).

To make lime calcium carbonate is burnt. After burning, the quicklime produced
has water added to it, releasing great heat. It is then allowed to form slaked lime
in slaking silos. The slaked lime is now filtered. Any particles, which are not
small enough, are crushed. The lime is then put into bags ready for sale.”

Answer the following questions in the spaces provided:

1. What raw material is used to make Quicklime?

Insert one line
3.1

2. Describe how calcium carbonate is made into lime ready for sale.
Insert 3 lines
3.2

QUESTION C:
Q PC Evidence Judgement
C1 3.1 Limestone or Calcium Carbonate Correct
2 3.2 Eg TWO steps outlined
• Calcium Carbonate is burnt
• Water added, slaked lime forms
• Filtered, large bits are crushed.
QUESTION D:

The following recipe is used to make a natural insecticide.

What you need:
• ½ cup each bay and peppermint leaves
• 1 ½ teaspoons each citrus peels
• garlic powder
• diatomaceous earth
• cayenne pepper
• pyrethrum
• salt.
What you do:
1. Collect all ingredients and mix together.
2. Grind the ingredients into a powder in a blender or with a mortar and pestle.
3. Store in a glass jar with a screw top lid.
4. Dust along baseboards, the back of counters, and other areas of infestation.
5. Do not rinse.

Source: adapted from http://pinksunrise.com/mta/bertholdbond2.htm

1. Name one raw material needed to make this insecticide.

Insert 1 line
3.1
3. Describe how you make this insecticide.
Insert 3 lines
3.2

QUESTION D:
PC Evidence Judgement
3.1 Eg bay leaves, peppermint leaves, One raw material identified
citrus peels, garlic powder,
diatomaceous earth, cayenne pepper,
pyrethrum, salt.

3.2 Collect all ingredients and mix TWO key steps outlined
together.
Grind the ingredients into a powder in
a blender or with a mortar and pestle.