Name of Candidate: ________________________________ School Name: ____________________________

THYOLO CLUSTER 2017 MOCK EXAMINATION

MALAWI SCHOOL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION

AGRICULTURE
(100 marks)
Subject Number: M012/ I

Date:……………………………. Time Allowed: 2 hours

PAPER I
Instructions

1. This paper contains 11 printed pages.

Question Tick if Do not write in
Please check. Number answered these columns
1
2. This paper has two sections, A and B.
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section A has nine questions and section
B, four questions. 3
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3. Answer all questions in the spaces 5
provided. 6
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4. Write your name and the name of your
school on all pages. 8
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5. In the table provided on this page, tick 10
against the question number you have
11
answered.
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6. At the end of the examination, hand in 13
your paper to the invigilator.

©2017 THYOLO CLUSTER Turn over

Name of Candidate: _________________________________ School Name: ______________________________

2017 Page 2 of 11 M012/I

Section A (60 marks)
Answer all the nine questions in this section.

1. a. List the two forms of soil.

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b. Explain how the microbial activity affects the soil pH.

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c. State any three ways of managing the saline soils.

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2. a. Give any three mechanical ways of controlling weeds.

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b. Explain why emasculation is important in hybridisation method of crop improvement

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3. a. Define the term “Vegetative propagation”

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b. Figure 1 below shows diagrams labelled A and B illustrating some of the methods used to propagate
some field crops. Study the diagrams and answer the questions that follow;

Figure 1

i. Identify the two methods of propagation

A: __________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
B :___________________________________________________________(1 mark)

ii. Explain what is involved in each of the methods of propagation identified in b (i)
above.

A:__________________________________________________________________
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B:___________________________________________________________________
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iii. Name the parts labelled K and L in B

K: __________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
L :___________________________________________________________(1 mark)
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4. a. Distinguish between “Agricultural cooperatives” and “Agro-based industries”

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b. Give any three factors that are necessary for agricultural cooperatives to succeed.

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c. Describe any one role that agro-based industries play in supporting the growing population.
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5. A ration containing 20% CP is to be made from ground maize and fish meal. Given that ground maize
contains 7% digestible crude protein and fish meal contains 62 % digestible crude protein. Using a
Pearson’s Square, calculate the amount, in kilograms of each feedstuff required to prepare 100 kg of the
feed.

(4 marks)
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6. a. Write down any three principles of crop rotation that farmers follow when allocating crops to plots.

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b. Explain why bush fallowing and shifting cultivation are becoming less popular in Malawi?

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c. Mrs Thole has the following resources at her disposal

 Large arable land

 Crops: Maize, Millet, Ground nuts and Beans
If the farm has a lot of Striga asiastica (Witch weed) and the amount of nitrogen in the soil is low,
describe how a suitable cropping system can be established to solve these problems
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7. a. Give any three advantages of using certified seeds for planting

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b. Describe any one implication of gender bias in agricultural development.

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8. Explain one way in which each of the following measures can help to conserve soil.
a. Construction of storm drains
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b. Strip cropping
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9. a. Differentiate between “Progeny testing” and “Sib Selection” as used in animal breeding.

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b. Explain how each of the following factors affect the milk yield from cows.

i. Nutrition or feeding
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ii. Character of the cow
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c. Figure 2 below shows the reproductive organs of a cow. Use it to answer the questions that follow;

Figure 2

i. Identify the parts labeled A, B and E

A: ______________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
B :_______________________________________________________________(1 mark)
E :_______________________________________________________________(1 mark)

ii. State the functions of parts labeled C and D

C:_______________________________________________________________________
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D:_______________________________________________________________________
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SECTION B: 40 marks
Answer all the four questions in this section. Your answers should be in an essay form except for Question 11

10. Explain any five legislative measures of controlling pests and diseases
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11. With an aid of a diagram, describe how a double-cross seed is produced.

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12. Explain any five causes of gender bias in agricultural technology.

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13. “An Agricultural Experiment is not completed until it is reported.”

Explain any five guidelines for writing a report for agricultural experiments.

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END OF QUESTION PAPER

This paper contains 11 printed pages.