Examination on Agricultural Science
Class: Primary 4
Term: Second Term
Time: 1 Hour
Total Marks: 70

SECTION A: OBJECTIVES (40 Marks)
Instruction: Answer all questions.

1. ________ is the topmost layer of the earth’s crust where plants grow. (a) Water (b) Air (c) Soil (d) Rock
2. Which of these is a way to maintain soil fertility? (a) Bush burning (b) Overgrazing (c) Mulching (d) Leaching
3. All of these are types of soil except ________. (a) Sandy soil (b) Clay soil (c) Loamy soil (d) Rocky soil
4. The main reason why soil is important for plant growth is ________. (a) It provides shade (b) It holds water and nutrients (c) It makes the farm look nice (d) It prevents animals from eating plants
5. Which is NOT a cause of soil fertility reduction? (a) Bush burning (b) Overgrazing (c) Crop rotation (d) Leaching
6. An example of a material used for mulching is ________. (a) Plastic bottles (b) Dry leaves (c) Metal scraps (d) Glass
7. The ________ is called the practice of leaving farmland uncultivated for some time. (a) Crop rotation (b) Mulching (c) Bush fallowing (d) Manuring
8. Which of the following describes a fertile soil? (a) It is mostly made of rock (b) It is hard and dry (c) It supports good plant growth (d) It has very little water
9. Bush burning DOES NOT help to ________. (a) Destroy weeds (b) Make the soil fertile (c) Clear land quickly (d) Kill pests
10. The process where rainfall washes away topsoil is known as ________. (a) Mulching (b) Leaching (c) Erosion (d) Fallowing
11. Adding manure and fertilizer to the soil helps to improve its ________. (a) Colour (b) Fertility (c) Hardness (d) Size
12. ________ is the movement of animals in large numbers on a piece of land, eating all the grass. (a) Crop rotation (b) Overgrazing (c) Mulching (d) Bush burning
13. Which of these is not a benefit of mulching? (a) Prevents water loss (b) Controls weeds (c) Makes the soil hotter (d) Adds nutrients to the soil
14. The correct step in practicing crop rotation is to ________. (a) Plant the same crop every year (b) Plant different crops on the same land in sequence (c) Leave the land bare for a long time (d) Burn the bush before planting
15. When nutrients are washed deep into the soil beyond the reach of plant roots, it is called ________. (a) Erosion (b) Mulching (c) Leaching (d) Fallowing
16. A soil type that is good for growing most crops because it holds water and nutrients well is ________. (a) Sandy soil (b) Clay soil (c) Loamy soil (d) Rocky soil
17. The main benefit of bush fallowing is that it allows the soil to ________. (a) Become harder (b) Regain its fertility naturally (c) Be used for building (d) Attract more pests
18. Which of the following is a feature of a fertile soil? (a) It has poor drainage (b) It is rich in organic matter (c) It is very light in colour (d) It cannot hold water
19. Which soil type has large particles and drains water very quickly? (a) Clay soil (b) Loamy soil (c) Sandy soil (d) Silt soil
20. ________ helps to cover the soil surface to reduce water evaporation and weed growth. (a) Bush burning (b) Overgrazing (c) Mulching (d) Leaching

SECTION B: THEORY (30 Marks)
Instruction: Answer any THREE questions.

1. (a) Define soil. (2 marks)
(b) State two reasons why soil is important for plant growth. (3 marks)
(c) List and briefly describe two types of soil. (3 marks)
(d) Mention one difference between sandy soil and clay soil. (2 marks)

2. (a) What is soil fertility? (2 marks)
(b) State two features of a fertile soil. (3 marks)
(c) Explain what is meant by bush burning as a cause of soil fertility reduction. (3 marks)
(d) Name two other causes of soil fertility reduction. (2 marks)

3. (a) Describe overgrazing. (2 marks)
(b) How does erosion reduce soil fertility? (3 marks)
(c) Explain the practice of bush fallowing. (3 marks)
(d) State two benefits of bush fallowing. (2 marks)

4. (a) What is mulching? (2 marks)
(b) List two materials that can be used for mulching. (3 marks)
(c) Explain how crop rotation helps to maintain soil fertility. (3 marks)
(d) Mention two ways farmers can improve soil fertility apart from mulching and crop rotation. (2 marks)

Objective Marking Scheme

Question 1 – ✅ (c) Soil
Question 2 – ✅ (c) Mulching
Question 3 – ✅ (d) Rocky soil
Question 4 – ✅ (b) It holds water and nutrients
Question 5 – ✅ (c) Crop rotation
Question 6 – ✅ (b) Dry leaves
Question 7 – ✅ (c) Bush fallowing
Question 8 – ✅ (c) It supports good plant growth
Question 9 – ✅ (b) Make the soil fertile
Question 10 – ✅ (c) Erosion
Question 11 – ✅ (b) Fertility
Question 12 – ✅ (b) Overgrazing
Question 13 – ✅ (c) Makes the soil hotter
Question 14 – ✅ (b) Plant different crops on the same land in sequence
Question 15 – ✅ (c) Leaching
Question 16 – ✅ (c) Loamy soil
Question 17 – ✅ (b) Regain its fertility naturally
Question 18 – ✅ (b) It is rich in organic matter
Question 19 – ✅ (c) Sandy soil
Question 20 – ✅ (c) Mulching