ZIMSEC O-Level Agriculture Paper 1 November 2011 Question Paper

AGRICULTURE

Question 1

Temporary wilting in plants is a result of

A low rate of water uptake as compared to transpiration.

B high rate of water uptake as compared to transpiration.

C rate of water uptake being the same as transpiration.

D low rate of water uptake and low rate of transpiration.

Question 2

The diagrams show types of weather measuring instruments \(\mathbf{X}, \mathbf{Y}\), and \(\mathbf{Z}\).

What are these instruments used to measure?

| | \(\mathbf{X}\) | \(\mathbf{Y}\) | \(\mathbf{Z}\) | | :---: | :--- | :--- | :--- | | \(\mathbf{A}\) | temperature | wind speed | wind direction | | \(\mathbf{B}\) | humidity | wind direction | wind speed | | \(\mathbf{C}\) | wind speed | humidity | wind direction | | \(\mathbf{D}\) | temperature | wind direction | wind speed |

Question 3

Which of the following rainfall aspects greatly influence a farmer's choice of cereal varieties to grow?

A distribution and intensity

B effectiveness and intensity

C distribution and amount

D effectiveness and distribution

Question 4

Which of the following crops would you recommend for production in Natural Region I?

A sugar cane, maize, fruits

B fruits, tea, potatoes

C soya beans, maize, cotton

D tobacco, maize, field beans

Question 5

Which of the following is an advantage of practising monoculture?

A it is easy to carry out

B it improves the drainage of a field

C it attracts a lot of pests and diseases

D there is specialisation and use of one type of machinery

Question 6

Which is the correct order for disseminating agricultural information to farmers?

A farmer ⟶ research ⟶ extension officer

B extension officer ⟶ research ⟶ farmer

C farmer ⟶ extension officer ⟶ research

D research ⟶ extension officer ⟶ farmer

Question 7

One method of achieving uniformity of sowing gum tree seeds is to

A use a seed spreader.

B mix seed with sand and broadcast.

C use of uniformly spaced furrows.

D collect seeds from mature trees only.

Question 8

Why is it advisable to harvest timber in late October or early November?

A trees will have shed their leaves

B to give chance for more shoots to develop during the rainy season

C it is the best time to treat timber

D to allow easy transportation for the logs

Question 9

Select the correctly matched pesticide to its target

**Pesticide**

A insecticides

B fungicides

C herbicides

D acaricides

**Target**

weed plants

bacteria

insects

mites

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the off-take rates for larger animals like zebra as compared to smaller animals?

A lower

B higher

C moderate

D same

Question 11

The diagram below represents the constituents of soil. Which constituent do we get as the result of weathering?

Question 12

Which of the following factors influence soil formation?

A parent material, light and air

B light, climate and parent material

C climate, relief and parent material

D light, air and climate

Question 13

A mechanical analysis carried out on four different soils \(A, B, C\), and \(D\) showed the following results

| SOIL | % CLAY | % SAND | % SILT | | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | A | 45 | 30 | 25 | | B | 20 | 52 | 18 | | C | 20 | 45 | 35 | | D | 6 | 84 | 10 |

Which soil will be most suitable for crop production?

Question 14

The substance used to raise the soil pH is

A Chalk.

B Compound D.

C Ammonium nitrate.

D Sulphate of ammonia.

Question 15

Select a set of processes from the following that result in loss of nitrogen from soil.

A nitrification, ammonification, volatilization

B denitrification, nitrification, leaching

C denitrification, ammonification, volatilization

D leaching, denitrification, volatilization

Question 16

A 50 kg bag of urea contains \(46 \% \mathrm{~N}\). How much nitrogen in kilograms do five bags of urea have?

A 96 kg

B \(115 \mathrm{~kg}\)

C \(230 \mathrm{~kg}\)

D \(250 \mathrm{~kg}\)

Question 17

Which is the most important factor to consider in determining the method to use in controlling soil erosion?

A slope of the land

B type of soil

C type of crop to be grown

D amount of rainfall

Question 18

The diagram shows a section through the stem of a root. Which of the labelled parts \(\mathrm{A}, \mathrm{B}, \mathrm{C}\) or D is part of the epidermal layer?

Question 19

Plasmolysis occurs when water moves from

A soil into plant cells.

B cell to cell.

C root to leaves.

D plant cells into soil.

Question 20

The diagram shows part of a leaf structure

What is the function of the part labelled X ?

A controls opening of stomata

B open to allow gaseous exchange

C protects leaf from diseases

D prevents moisture loss

Question 21

The planting date of a dry land field crop can be brought forward by

A soaking the seed.

B using certified seed.

C tractor ploughing.

D water planting.

Question 22

The diagram illustrates the classification of pests according to their feeding habits.

Choose the correct list that would be represented by \(\mathrm{X}, \mathrm{Y}\) and Z

**X**

A mealy bug

B weevils

C termites

D stalkborer

**Y**

locust

termites

aphids

mealybug

**Z**

stalkborer

aphids

weevils

locust

Question 23

A farmer has to choose between four possible sites \(\mathrm{A}, \mathrm{B}, \mathrm{C}\) or D for the establishment of a woodlot nursery. From which site is he likely to choose?

Question 24

Which of the following shows the correct order of the life cycle of a one host tick?

A eggs ⟶ nymph ⟶ larvae ⟶ adult

B eggs ⟶ larvae ⟶ nymph ⟶ adult

C eggs ⟶ larvae ⟶ pupa ⟶ adult

D eggs ⟶ nymph ⟶ pupa ⟶ adult

Question 25

Select the correct tool for cutting and tying wire during fencing.

A claw hammer

B clipper

C pliers

D hacksaw

Question 26

Four groups of students \(A, B, C\) and \(D\) working on garden fence constructed box anchors as shown by the diagrams below. Which group constructed the correct anchor?

Question 27

Which of the following features on the road carry water above the road surface?

A camber

B mitre drain

C invert

D culvert

Question 28

One of the reasons for constructing roads on a watershed is

A to reduce erosion.

B for good scenery.

C for good drainage.

D that less materials are needed.

Question 29

When harnessing oxen using a yoke, which of the following is used to secure the yoke?