MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

FIJI YEAR 12 CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION 2018

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Time Allowed: 3 hours

(An extra 10 minutes is allowed for reading this paper)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Write your Index Number on the front page and inside the back flap of the Answer
Booklet.

2. Write all your answers in the Answer Booklet provided.

3. If you use extra sheets of paper, be sure to show clearly the question number(s) being
answered and to tie each sheet in your Answer Booklet at the appropriate places.
Ensure that your Index Number is written on the extra sheets.

4. Answer all the questions with a blue or black ballpoint pen or ink pen. Do not use red ink.
You may use a pencil only for drawing.

5. You may use a calculator, provided it is silent, battery-operated and non-programmable.

6. There are three sections in this paper. Sections A and B are compulsory.
Note the options in Section C.

SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS

SECTION QUESTION TYPE MARK SUGGESTED

TIME
There are twenty multiple-choice questions.
A
All the questions are compulsory. 20 36 minutes

There are six short answer questions.

B
All the questions are compulsory. 60 108 minutes

There are five essay questions.

C
Answer any two questions. 20 36 minutes

TOTAL 100 180 minutes

COPYRIGHT: MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, FIJI, 2018.

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SECTION A MULTIPLE-CHOICE [20 marks]

The multiple-choice questions in this section are all compulsory.
Each question is worth 1 mark.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. In your Answer Booklet, circle the letter which represents the best answer. If you
change your mind, put a line through your first choice and circle the letter of
your next choice.

For example: 8 A B C D

2. If you change your mind again and like your first answer better, put a line through
your second circle and tick () your first answer.

For example: 8 A B C D


3. No mark will be given if you circle more than one letter for a question.

1. The fermentation and refining of the plant tissue called feedstock produces

A. biofuels.
B. vaccines.
C. pesticides.
D. antibiotics.

2. Minerals which remain in soil after the evaporation of soil water increase soil

A. erosion.
B. salinity.
C. effluent.
D. siltation.

3. Which of the following is an environmental issue associated with farming Genetically

Modified Organisms (GMOs)?

A. Creation of oligopolies
B. Allergic reaction of consumers
C. Gene spills producing super pests
D. Tax increasing the cost of produce

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4. The Pathways to Zero Hunger is a United Nations sponsored event which aims to achieve
Zero Hunger and the Sustainable Development Goals by
A. 2020.
B. 2023.
C. 2028.
D. 2030.

5. Which of the following machines would a farmer use for applying insecticides to
trees in a citrus orchard?
A. Mist blower
B. Rotary tiller
C. Hydromulcher
D. Knapsack sprayer

6. Gross Margin is the tool used to calculate the expected returns of an enterprise when
the limiting factor is

A. finance.
B. capital.
C. labour.
D. land.

7. A farmer calculated that the Return to Capital for his dalo crop was $4.09.
This means that the famer will earn $4.09 from every

A. $1.00 which is invested.

B. kilogram of yield he sells.
C. man hour a labourer works.
D. hectare of land planted in dalo.

8. Soil organisms cause soft rocks to weather by

A. degrading toxins.
B. destabilising structure.
C. adhering to large particles.
D. improving carbon sequestration.

9. The process of controlling the growth of wild plants and animals for human use is
A. propagation.
B. manipulation.
C. hybridisation.
D. domestication.

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10. The type of forest which spontaneously generates itself in an area is a

A. moist forest.
B. garden forest.
C. natural forest.
D. plantation forest.

11. The diagram below illustrates a floral arrangement.

Source: http://suesfamilyflowersandfunstuff.blogspot.com
The visual balance design illustrated in the flower arrangement above is
A. open.
B. radial.
C. symmetrical.
D. asymmetrical.

12. The diagram below illustrates the cross section of the edible fruit of a seasonal fruit tree.

Source: Adapted from https://www.fruitsinfo.com

The fruit illustrated above is a

A. Cutnut.
B. Malay apple.
C. Polynesian plum.
D. Tahitian chestnut.

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13. Which of the following fruit producing plants belongs to the Musa family?

A. Plantain
B. Jackfruit
C. Tangerine
D. Grapefruit

14. The logging process where the small shoots and branches are cut off harvested trees is

A. topping.
B. grading.
C. snedding.
D. seasoning.

15. The branch of Science concerned with the scientific study of honey bees is

A. Zoology.
B. Apiology.
C. Melittology.
D. Entomology.

16. The diagram below illustrates a type of frame used in bee hives.

Source: Adapted from https://www.3dprint.com

Which of the following hives is this type of frame used in?

A. Langstroth
B. Bee gum
C. Top bar
D. Flow

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17. Honey bees need a fresh supply of clean water to dilute honey and

A. bathe larvae.
B. cure nosema.
C. cool the hive.
D. communicate.

18. The dairy farms which were established as payment for soldiers returning from
World War One (1914 to 1918) were located in

A. Serua.
B. Tailevu.
C. Macuata.
D. Cakaudrove.

19. When cattle digest feed, mastication of cud occurs in the

A. colon.
B. ileum.
C. mouth.
D. rumen.

20. A cow which reacts violently to being milked because of an inflamed udder is
suffering from

A. mastitis.
B. brucellosis.
C. tuberculosis.
D. leptospirosis.

SECTION B SHORT ANSWERS [60 marks]

The six questions in this section are all compulsory.
Each question is worth 10 marks.

QUESTION 1 (10 marks)

(a) Explain one positive effect which climate change has on the types of
crops grown in Fiji. (2 marks)

(b) Explain one initiative implemented by the World Health Organisation

which is aimed at reducing the spread of zoonotic diseases in Fiji. (2 marks)

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(c) State one reason why a farmer would purchase a tractor for the farm. (1 mark)

(d) Differentiate between a mist blower and a knapsack sprayer in relation to

energy source. (2 marks)

(e) Below is a Whole Farm Budget for a mixed farm.

1. Capital Investment in Property 2. Anticipated Income

$ $
Land 440 000 Sale of goats 2 600
Buildings 244 000 Sale of cattle 37 000
Stock value 185 000 Sale of sheep 1 300
Sale of milk 49 400
Hiring out of machines 6 000
Total 869 000 Total 96 300

3. Anticipated Expenses Total

Fixed Expenses $ Variable Expenses $ $
Equipment depreciation 6 500 Pasture costs 1 000
Lease and land tax 10 800 Wages 12 000
Salaries 33 000 Transport 4 000
Interest on loans 2 200 Fuel 5 000
Veterinary fees 500
Power 5 000
Water 2 000
Total 52 500 Total 29 500 82 000

Use the information above to calculate the farm’s expected profit or loss. (3 marks)

QUESTION 2 (10 marks)

(a) Explain one reason why farmers prepare Enterprise Budgets. (2 marks)

(b) Name the type of budget which a goat farmer would use to help
determine if the farm should buy replacement does or raise its own. (1 mark)

(c) State one way in which tilling kills soil organisms. (1 mark)

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SECTION B (continued)

(d) State one reason why the number of soil organisms in an area decreases
when plastic mulch is used. (1 mark)

(e) The diagram below illustrates equipment used by students to determine

if soil organisms were present in a soil sample.

Source: https://www.mydigitalchalkboard.org

Name the method which uses the equipment illustrated above. (1 mark)

(f) The diagram below illustrates one method of grafting.

Source: http://www.rfcarchives.org.au

Name the method of grafting illustrated in the diagram above. (1 mark)

(g) Explain the Dump Heap Hypothesis in relation to how agriculture began. (2 marks)

(h) State one reason why florists remove the stigma from harvested flowers. (1 mark)

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QUESTION 3 (10 marks)

(a) Differentiate between a photophilous plant and a sciophilous plant in

relation to site selection for propagation. (2 marks)

(b) The diagram below illustrates one step in removing a plant from a pot.

Source: http://d2r5da613aq50s.cloudfront.net

In three clear steps, discuss how an established plant is removed from a pot. (3 marks)

(c) State one reason why spiking is carried out during the maintenance of a lawn. (1 mark)

(d) Explain one silvicultural method used to control pest attacks on established
trees. (2 marks)

(e) State one reason why the majority of fruit trees in Fiji are not cultivated in
orchards. (1 mark)

(f) State one way in which farmers can ensure that tree crops are not affected
by salt spray. (1 mark)

QUESTION 4 (10 marks)

(a) Discuss the relationship between plants and animals in an

aqua-forestry system. (3 marks)

(b) State one reason why farmers practice thinning of healthy saplings in
a plantation forest. (1 mark)

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SECTION B (continued)

(c) Explain one way in which wild goats damage trees. (2 marks)

(d) The diagram below illustrates a poorly transplanted tree seedling.

Source: http://www.img.thrfun.com

Explain one problem which the seedling will face. (2 marks)

(e) State one use of the slash which is produced during the logging process. (1 mark)

(f) State one defect which may occur in lumber during the drying process. (1 mark)

QUESTION 5 (10 marks)

(a) Explain one natural cause of fires in plantation forests. (2 marks)

(b) Describe how a drone develops in a honey bee hive. (2 marks)

(c) Explain one reason why honey bees create bee space in their hives. (2 marks)

(d) Explain one reason why a farmer must remove the stinger as soon as
a honey bee stings. (2 marks)

(e) Name the variety of hormones which queen bees produce to regulate
the behavior of worker bees. (1 mark)

(f) State one reason why farmers stand extracted honey for 12 hours
before bottling. (1 mark)

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QUESTION 6 (10 marks)

(a) State one method used to keep honey bees calm while the beekeepers
are inspecting hives. (1 mark)

(b) Differentiate between the extensive system and the tethered system
of raising cattle in relation to the area of the farm. (2 marks)

(c) Explain the role of oxytocin in the calving process of cattle. (2 marks)

(d) State one reason why a calf may develop rickets. (1 mark)

(e) Name one method used to stun cattle prior to slaughtering in the abattoir. (1 mark)

(f) State one use of the faeces and urine that is produced as a by-product of
the slaughtering process in abattoirs. (1 mark)

(g) Name the variety meat which is harvested from the thymus gland of
calves. (1 mark)

(h) State one advantage of allowing a calf to suckle milk from its dam for the
first three days of its life. (1 mark)

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SECTION C ESSAYS [20 marks]

There are five essay questions in this section. Answer any two questions.
Write an essay of approximately 180-200 words to answer each question.

Please note that the allocation of marks for the content has been included for
each question and 1 mark is allocated to the structure of the essay.
Each question is worth 10 marks.

In this section, you are given an opportunity to show that you can

(i) select ideas relevant to the topic

(ii) use appropriate examples
(iii) communicate information clearly and logically

QUESTION 1

Agriculture is crucial to each of the seven billion humans on earth because

it allows us to fill our plates every day.

With reference to the above statement, discuss three

 dimensions of food security (3 marks)

 ways in which agro-biotechnology impacts agricultural production (3 marks)

 effects of zoonotic diseases on agricultural production (3 marks)

QUESTION 2

The ongoing integration of machines since the Industrial Revolution has

allowed farming to become much less labour-intensive.

With reference to the above statement, discuss three factors which farmers must
consider when

 choosing a small machine to use for clearing land for cultivation (3 marks)

 using a small machine for tilling soil (3 marks)

 maintaining a small motorised farm machine (3 marks)

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QUESTION 3

Well maintained potted plants enhance any setting.

With reference to maintaining pot plants, discuss three methods of

 irrigation (3 marks)

 fertilising material application (3 marks)

 pest control (3 marks)

QUESTION 4

Ornamental plants have been chosen and developed to beautify landscapes.

With reference to the statement above, discuss three

 groups of palms in relation to their main distinguishing feature (3 marks)

 features of flowering shrubs (3 marks)

 uses of florist crops (3 marks)

QUESTION 5

Honey has been valued by humans for thousands of years.

With reference to the statement above, discuss three

 advantages of beekeeping in Fiji (3 marks)

 disadvantages of beekeeping in Fiji (3 marks)

 factors to consider when choosing a site to establish an apiary (3 marks)

THE END

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COPYRIGHT: MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, FIJI, 2018.