NAME ___________________________________________ FORM _________

ST MARY’S GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL

2021 MALAWI SCHOOOL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION
MOCK EXAMINATION
AGRICULTURE

PAPER I

(100 Marks)

Wednesday, 28 July Time allowed: 1 ½ hrs

8:00 am on wards

Instructions:

1. This paper contains 12 pages, please

Question Tick if Do not write in
check
Number answered these columns
2. This paper has two sections, A and 1

B. Section A has 70 marks and

2
section B has 30 marks.
3
3. Answer all questions in the spaces
provided. Marks are indicated 4
against each part of the question.
5
4. Write your Name on all pages. 6
7
5. In the table provided on this page, 8
tick against the question number you 9
have answered. 10
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6. At the end of the examination, hand 12
in your paper to the invigilator. 13

Page 1 of 5
SECTION A (70 MARKS)

1. a. Define the term ‘desuckering’ as used in vegetable production

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________(1 mark)
b. Explain the importance of performing the above activity mentioned in question
1a.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________(2 marks)
2. a. Describe how the following factors have caused climate change
i. natural factor
______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________(2 marks)
ii. human factor
______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________(2 marks)

b. State any two effects of climate change on the livelihood

___________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________(2 marks)

c. Explain any two ways how conservational agriculture has helped to deal with
climate change in Malawi

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________(4 marks)

2
3. Figure 1 below is a diagram of different livestock production tools and equipments.
Use them to answer questions that follow.

X
Z

a. Identify the tools

X:_________________________________________________________________
Z: _________________________________________________________(2 marks)
b. Explain how tool X is used in goat production
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________(2 marks)
c. Give one disease that can be observed when using tool Y
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________(1 mark)
4. a. Explain why the following factors should be considered when making silage
(i) tightness of air seal
______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________(2 marks)
(ii) speed of feeling the seal
______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________( 2 marks)

b. Mention any two effects of practicing late defoliation in pasture production

___________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________( 2 marks)

3
5. The demand of cotton in Salima market changed from 1000kg to 750kg when the
price of cotton changed from K300/kg to K600/kg.
a. Calculate the price elasticity of demand for cotton

5 marks
b. From the answer in question 5a, identify the price elasticity of demand that
cotton has in Salima market
_________________________________________________________(1 mark)
c. Sketch a clearly well labeled graphical presentation to show the price elasticity of
demand for cotton in question 5a above

3 marks

4
6. a. Define the term ‘soil consistency’
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

b. Figure 2 below is a diagram showing a physical property of the soil. Use it to

answer questions that follow.

a. Identify the physical property that is shown in the diagram

_________________________________________________________(1 mark)
b. which diagram is ideal for tree planting
_________________________________________________________(1 mark)
c. Give one reason for your answer
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________(2 marks)
d. Outline any one reason why diagram M is associated with mountainous areas
_________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________(2 marks)

5
7. A farmer in Machinga observed moulds developing on compost surfaces and there
was also complete mushroom failure.
a. Identify the disease that attacked his mushrooms
________________________________________________________(1 mark)
b. Mention the organism that causes the disease
_________________________________________________________(1 mark)
c. Describe one way of controlling this disease
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________(2 marks)
8. a. Explain why farmers should consider the following factors when selecting dairy
cattle for breeding
i. contemporary comparison
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________(2 marks)
ii. progeny testing
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________(2 marks)

b. State one function of each of the following parts of the reproductive organs of a
hen

i. Infundibulum
______________________________________________________(1 mark)
ii. Uterus
______________________________________________________(1 mark)

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9. Table 1 below shows a type of a production record for maize kept by Mrs. Manda.
Use it to answer questions that follow.
DATE WORK NUMBER OF NUMBER OF REMARK
DONE PERSONS DAYS
WORKED
07/01/19 planting 3 women, 2 1 satisfactory
children
20/01/19 1st weeding 5 men, 3 2 satisfactory
women & 3
children
06/02/19 2nd weeding 4 men, 2 2 Not
women satisfactory

a. Name the type of production record

_________________________________________________________(1 mark)

b. Calculate number of mandays for the first weeding

5 marks

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 c. Assuming Mr Phiri had the same size of farm land and had a cinstant supply of 9
mandays everyday. Calculate the labour surplus or short fall for Mr. Phiri for the
two days of the first weeding

2 marks
d. Discuss any two ways in which the above production record is important
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________(4 marks)
10.a. Define the term ‘feed ration’
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________(1 mark)
b. explain why weaners meal in pig production is regarded as a maintenance ration
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________(2 marks)
c. Outline one importance of providing a wallowing area in a pig house
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________(2 marks)
11.a. A farmer in Mulanje had only enough land on which to grow either pasture or
mangoes. He decided to grow pasture. State the opportunity cost for the farmer if
pasture had the lowest value.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________(1 mark)

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b. Discus any one way in which farm mechanization play a vital role in the
development of the country
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________(2 marks)
c. State any one way of preserving germplasm in ex-situ conservation.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________(1 mark)

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SECTION B (30 MARKS)

ESSAY QUESTIONS- Your answers must be in essay form

12.Describe any five steps that are carried out in making compost manure using
Changu method.
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_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________(10marks)

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13.Form two students at ST. Mary’s secondary school were asked to carry out a
research on plant spacing of Chalimbana groundnuts. With clear a diagram, design
an experiment on plant spacing of Chalimbana groundnuts for the form two
students.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________(10marks)

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14.Discuss any five characteristics of a good sheep house
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________(10marks)

End of questions!
C. Malimba
Joshua 1: 8 “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth…and then you
will have good success”

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