No.

10/1

Student Personal Identification

Number (SPIN)

Marker Code

Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate

AGRICULTURE
2011
QUESTION and ANSWER BOOKLET
Time allowed: Three hours
INSTRUCTIONS
1. This examination has TWO Sections. Both Sections are COMPULSORY.
Section

Description

Marks

Suggested Time Allowance

Multiple Choice

20

40

Short Answers

100

140

2. Write all answers to the Multiple Choice questions in the answer sheet on the FOLD-OUT
FLAP on the last page.
3. Answer all questions in Section B in the spaces provided.
4. Write your Student Personal Identification Number (SPIN) in the box at the top right hand
corner of this page and on the fold-out flap at the end of this booklet.
5. Check that this booklet contains pages 2-21 in the correct order and that none of these pages
are blank. Page 22 has been left blank deliberately.
YOU MUST HAND THIS BOOKLET TO THE SUPERVISOR AT THE END OF THE
EXAMINATION.

TOTAL MARKS:

120

2
SECTION A:

MULTIPLE CHOICE

(20 marks)

Answer questions 1-20 on the fold-out flap at the back of this booklet.

Each question is worth ONE mark.

Choose the best answer and then write the letter in the box opposite the question number.

If you want to change your answer, cross out the first choice and write the letter of your
second choice beside the box like this:

1. Today our ecosystems are affected by changing weather patterns caused mainly by the
A.
B.
C.
D.

melting polar ice.

increase in temperature.
increase in greenhouse gases.
increase in global industrial waste.

2. A homozygous trait is defined as

A.
B.
C.
D.

the appearance of an organism.

an organism that carries two identical alleles.
an organism that carries two different alleles.
the two letters that make up the organisms genes.

3. A cross between two traits was made using a punnett square as given below.
R

RR

Rr

The genes for A and B are

A.
B.
C.
D.

RR, rr.
Rr, Rr.
Rr, rr.
RR, Rr.

3
Use the soil texture triangle to answer questions 4 and 5.

B
4. The soil proportions for point B in the diagram are
A.
B.
C.
D.

Sand 60%, Silt 30%, Clay 10%.

Sand 60%, Silt 10%, Clay 30%.
Sand 10%, Silt 60%, Clay 30%.
Sand 10%, Silt 30%, Clay 60%.

5. The textural class of point B is

A.
B.
C.
D.

Loam.
Sandy loam.
Loamy sand.
Sandy clay loam.

4
Use the diagram below to answer question 6.
Total revenue

Total cost
Variable cost

Fixed cost

6. The shaded area of the graph shows the _______________ area.

A.
B.
C.
D.

Loss
Profit
Revenue
Total Cost

7. The three main resources of a farm are

A.
B.
C.
D.

labor, crops and land.

land, labor and capital.
money, labor and stock.
buildings, stock and pasture.

8. If Total Cost is $245,000 and Variable Cost is $40,000. What is the Fixed Cost?
A.
B.
C.
D.

$205,000
$215,000
$240,000
$285,000

9. One way to increase the price of koko samoa in the market is by increasing the
A.
B.
C.
D.

supply each day.

number of plants.
amount of fertiliser.
quality of koko samoa.

5
10. The key to efficient utilisation of scarce resources is
A.
B.
C.
D.

records.
budgeting.
management.
linear programming.

11. One advantage of Agro-forestry is to

A.
B.
C.
D.

protect crops from pests and diseases.

serve as a source of potassium and iron.
protect farming from pathogen infection.
serve as a source of shelter for seedlings.

12. The best method to protect vegetables from insects like crickets and grasshoppers is by
A.
B.
C.
D.

ridging.
fencing.
spraying.
intercropping.

13. Complete the photosynthesis process.

H20

A.
B.
C.
D.

CH2O + O2
H2O + O2
CH2O + CO2
CO2 + O2

CO2

6
Use the diagram below to answer questions 14 and 15.

14. The part labeled C is known as

A.
B.
C.
D.

Guard cell.
Upper epidermis.
Spongy mesophyll.
Palisade mesophyll.

15. The function of the part labeled C is to

A.
B.
C.
D.

maximise light absorption.

allow rapid diffusion of CO2.
transport sugar away from the leaf.
transport water and minerals to the leaf.

Use the diagram below to answer question 16.

16. The propagation method shown in the picture is

A.
B.
C.
D.

budding.
grafting.
marcotting.
air layering.

7
Study the information about the seven sows from the USP piggery in the table and answer
questions 17 and 18.
Sow number

Breed

2
7
8
12
19
23
30

Duroc
Duroc
Duroc
Duroc
Duroc
Duroc
Duroc

Number of
teats
14
10
12
14
14
12
16

Litter size
14
6
10
12
14
10
16

17. Which sow should be sold immediately instead of allowing it to breed?

A.
B.
C.
D.

7
8
19
30

18. Which sow should be retained for breeding on the farm?

A.
B.
C.
D.

7
8
19
30

19. Commercial pig farmers prefer landrace breeds because they

A.
B.
C.
D.

grow fast and have strong bones.

produce large litter sizes and fatty carcasses.
are highly prolific and produce a lot of milk.
are good feed converters and produce good quality carcasses.

20. Which of the following is an example of inbreeding?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Angus x Hereford
Brahman x Hereford
Local pig x large white
Father Zebu x daughter Zebu

Growth rate
(g/day)
30
4
8
15
32
12
35

8
SECTION B:

FREE RESPONSE

(100 marks)

This section has FIVE parts. Answer ALL parts.

Answer ALL questions in the spaces provided.

PART A:

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEM

(6 marks)

1. Use the picture below to answer the questions that follow.

a. Describe the type of ecosystem shown in the picture. Give a reason for your answer.
Ecosystem _________________________________________________________________
Reason____________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
b. State TWO things that will happen to the ecosystem when overgrazing becomes a common
practice.
i. ________________________________________________________________________
ii. ________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
c. Give TWO ways you can maintain this agricultural ecosystem.
i. ________________________________________________________________________
ii. ________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

Part A

9
PART B:

SOIL

(10 marks)

1. The picture shows one important soil organism. Use the picture to answer the questions that
follow.

a. Name the soil organism shown above.

___________________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
b. Describe TWO important roles of this soil organism in changing soil fertility.
i. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
ii. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
2. Sarah went to the Agriculture Store to buy fertiliser for her tomato garden. The table below
gives the NPK ratios of the fertilizers available at the store.
Fertilizer (NPK)
X
Y
Z

NPK ratio
5:20:15
15:15:15
20:20:10

a. Give the Nitrogen and Potassium ratios for fertilizer Z.

Nitrogen __________________
Potassium __________________
(2 marks)

10

b. Describe TWO ways in which Sarah can apply fertilizer to her tomato garden.
i. ________________________________________________________________________
ii. ________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
3. Use the picture below to answer the questions that follow.

a. Name the type of water erosion shown in the picture.

_________________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
b. Explain how this type of erosion destroys farm land.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

Part B

10

11

PART C:

PLANT PRODUCTION AND PROTECTION

(25 marks)

1. Use the information given in the diagram to help you answer the following questions.

a. Name the insect pest shown above.

__________________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
b. Give ONE symptom of plant damage caused by this insect pest.
__________________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
c. Name TWO control methods that can be used to control this pest.
i. ______________________________________________________________________
ii. ______________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
d. Explain TWO economic impacts of the pest on farmers.
i. ______________________________________________________________________
ii. ______________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

12

2. Use the picture below to answer parts a-c.

Bee

Flower
a. What plant reproduction method is illustrated in the picture? (Tick the correct answer.)
Pollination

Air layering

Grafting
(1 mark)

b. List TWO advantages of the above reproduction method.

i. ________________________________________________________________________
ii. ________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
c. List TWO disadvantages of the above reproduction method.
i. ________________________________________________________________________
ii. ________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
3. A class was given an assignment to calculate the percentage (%) germination of cucumber
seeds. They planted 3 packets of seeds. Each packet contained 20 seeds. If 43 seeds
germinated successfully, what is the percentage germination for the 3 packets of seeds?
% Germination = Number of plants x 100
Number of seeds planted
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(3 marks)

13
4. The diagram shows an experiment set up to investigate water loss and water uptake by a
green plant. The roots were washed before placing the plant in the measuring cylinder. The
experiment was weighed at the start of the investigation and again 24 hours later.
The scale on the measuring cylinder was used to read the
volume of water before and after the 24-hour period. The
table shows the results.

Plant
Layer of
oil
Measuring
cylinder

Start of
investigation
24 hours
later

Mass of the equipment Volume of

containing the plant (g) water in the
measuring
cylinder (cm3)
220
100
210

88

Water

a. Which of the following processes is responsible for the loss of water in the leaves? (Tick the
correct answer.)
Absorption

Transpiration

Photosynthesis
(1 mark)

b. Calculate the loss of weight during the 24-hour period.

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
5. Define the following terms.
i. Xylem

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

ii. Phloem

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

14

iii. Asexual reproduction ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________
iv. Dormancy

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

v. Weeds

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
(5 marks)

6. The graph shows the yield of three varieties of taro in a research station trial over a year.
Yield of three taro varieties
16

Yield
(t/ha)

14

V1
12

V2

10
8

V3
6

4
2

Month

a. At which time of the year (3-month period) is the yield of taro variety 3 (V3) highest?
___________________________________________________

(1 mark)

b. Which variety of taro would you recommend farmers grow? Give a reason for your choice.
Recommended variety
Reason

_______________________________

__________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

Part C

25

15
PART D:

ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND PROTECTION

(33 marks)

1. The diagram below shows the digestive system of a ruminant animal.

Describe the functions of the following parts of the digestive system of a ruminant.
i. Reticulum

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

ii. Rumen

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

iii. Omasum

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

iv. Abomasum

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
(4 marks)

2. Choose ONE of the diseases below, name it and fill in the table.
Brucellosis

Mastitis

Tuberculosis

Disease
Symptoms

i.
ii.

Control

i.
ii.
(5 marks)

16
3. The picture shows a local pig breed.

a. Give TWO advantages and TWO disadvantages of this type of breed.

Advantages

i. _________________________________________________________
ii. _________________________________________________________

Disadvantages

i. _________________________________________________________

ii. _________________________________________________________
(4 marks)
4. Use the information given below to answer part a.
Breed A

High milk
production

Breed B

Good meat
quality

Rimoni is a dairy cattle farmer and has struggled all year with low production due to the poor
performance of his livestock. He decides to go looking for better livestock and comes across one
farm selling newly imported cattle. There were two types of breeds being sold, each having its
own special characteristics as shown in the diagram.
a. Which breed should Rimoni buy? Give a reason for your answer.
Breed ______________________
Reason

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

17

5. Ticks are one of the most common Ectoparasites found in pig farms.
a. Explain the term Ectoparasite.
___________________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
b. Give TWO symptoms of an animal suffering from tick infestation.
i. ________________________________________________________________________
ii. ________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
c. Give TWO reasons why it is important to control this parasite.
i. ________________________________________________________________________
ii. ________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
6. The nutritional requirements of an animal are vital for its growth and reproduction. Use your
understanding of feed and nutritional requirements to answer parts a-c.
a. Explain why the food requirements of a sow change during pregnancy.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
b. Name TWO common feeds used for pigs.
i. ___________________________________________________
ii. ___________________________________________________

(2 marks)

c. Name TWO major nutrients required by pigs.

i. ___________________________________________________
ii. ___________________________________________________

(2 marks)

18
7. Use the picture to answer parts a and b.

a. Identify ONE animal handling problem in the picture.

___________________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
b. Describe the correct way the pig should be handled when carrying out management practices.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
8. The picture shows a method of identification of cattle. Study the picture carefully and use it
to answer parts a-c.

a.

Name the method shown.

__________________________________________

(1 mark)

b. Explain why farmers use this method.

__________________________________________

(1 mark)

c. Give ONE advantage of this method.

___________________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)

Part D

33

19
PART E:

AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING

(26 marks)

1. Susana has one hectare of land which she has planted with maize. The cost of production and
the total revenue of her maize farm is given below.
Sales revenue
1600 kg of maize at $60 per kg
Variable costs
3 bags of 10 kg maize at $24 per bag
2 bags of 50 kg single superphosphate at $22 per bag
1 bag of 100 kg sulphate of ammonia at $29 per bag

a. Calculate the total revenue.

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
b. Calculate the cost for fertilizer only.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(3 marks)
c. Calculate the variable cost.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(3 marks)
d. Calculate the gross margin.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

20

2. The table shows the recording system of a pig farm.

Sow number
Sow 1
Sow 2
Sow 3
Sow 4
Sow 5

Farrowing date
23.05.10
20.05.10
18.05.10
16.05.10
10.05.10

Litter number
9
7
8
6
7

a. What date did Sow 3 give birth?

___________________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
b. Explain why it is important to keep records.
___________________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
3. Complete the marketing channel using the following terms.
Producer

Wholesaler

Consumer

Middleman

Retailer

Farm

(3 marks)
4. Give ONE reason why the price of taro varies from time to time.
___________________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
5. Define the following terms.
i. Break-even point

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

ii. Net profit

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

21

iii. Middleman

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

iv. Market

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
(4 marks)

6. Use the pictures to answer parts a and b.

B

a. Name each piece of equipment.

A _________________________

_________________________
(2 marks)

b. Name and give the function of the part labeled X.

Name______________________________________________________________________
Function___________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
7. Give TWO ways in which tools and equipment should be properly stored.
i. _______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
ii. _______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

Part E

26

22
This page has been left blank deliberately.

23
Student Personnel Identification
Number (SPIN)

ANSWER SHEET
Multiple Choice Section

AGRICULTURE
2011
(For markers only)

1.

6.

2.

7.

3.

SECTION A
Multiple Choice

20

8.

SECTION B
4.

9.

5.

10.

CHECK QUESTION NUMBER

11.

16.

12.

17.

13.

Check
Marker Marker

18.

14.

19.

15.

20.

PART A: Agricultural
Ecosystem

PART B: Soil

Marker

10

PART C: Plant Production &

Protection

25

PART D: Animal Production

& Protection

33

PART E: Agricultural
Management &
Agricultural
Marketing

TOTAL

26

120

Check
Marker