Examination on Agricultural Science
Class: JSS 1
Term: Third Term
Time: 1 Hour
Total Marks: 70

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

1. ________ are unwanted plants growing where they are not desired. (a) Crops (b) Weeds (c) Fertilizers (d) Pesticides
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of most weeds? (a) Slow growth rate (b) Short dormancy period (c) Produce few seeds (d) Rapid seed dispersal
3. Which of these is NOT a common characteristic of weeds? (a) They compete with crops (b) They are usually cultivated (c) They grow rapidly (d) They have efficient seed dispersal mechanisms
4. Which of these is not a common weed identified in most localities? (a) Spear grass (b) Scent leaf (c) Maize (d) Tridax
5. The type of weed control that involves practices like hand-weeding and mulching is called ________ control. (a) Chemical (b) Biological (c) Cultural (d) Mechanical
6. All of these are uses of weeds except ________. (a) Food for humans (b) Medicinal purposes (c) Primary crop cultivation (d) Animal feed
7. The main reason for controlling weeds in farmlands is ________. (a) To increase soil erosion (b) To reduce crop yield (c) To improve crop quality (d) To attract more pests
8. A plant that grows in a place where it is not wanted is called a/an ________. (a) crop (b) weed (c) fertilizer (d) pesticide
9. An example of a cultural method of weed control is ________. (a) spraying herbicides (b) biological control (c) hand-weeding (d) fumigation
10. The correct step in applying herbicides should consider the ________. (a) type of crop only (b) weather condition (c) cost of herbicide only (d) type of soil only
11. Herbicides are chemicals used to control ________. (a) pests (b) diseases (c) weeds (d) fungi
12. The undesirable effect of continuous use of chemical weed control is ________. (a) increased crop yield (b) soil pollution (c) improved soil structure (d) higher crop quality
13. Animals that cause economic damage to crops and livestock are generally known as ________. (a) parasites (b) predators (c) pests (d) pollinators
14. Which of these is classified as a mammalian pest? (a) Grasshopper (b) Rat (c) Bird (d) Termite
15. Pests that feed by biting off and swallowing plant parts have ________ mouthparts. (a) piercing and sucking (b) biting and chewing (c) rasping (d) siphoning
16. A common bird pest in agricultural fields is the ________. (a) duck (b) chicken (c) weaver bird (d) pigeon
17. The damage caused by pests feeding on the leaves of a plant is an example of ________ damage. (a) indirect (b) direct (c) secondary (d) tertiary
18. Weeds reduce the value of farm produce by ________. (a) increasing nutrients (b) causing discolouration (c) improving market price (d) enhancing yield
19. Which of the following is a rodent pest? (a) Lizard (b) Snake (c) Rabbit (d) Rat
20. The use of natural enemies to control weeds or pests is called ________ control. (a) cultural (b) chemical (c) biological (d) physical
21. Crop rotation is a cultural method of weed control because it ________. (a) introduces new weeds (b) breaks the weed life cycle (c) encourages weed growth (d) requires no labour
22. Weeds compete with crops for all these resources EXCEPT ________. (a) sunlight (b) water (c) air (d) nutrients
23. An insect pest with piercing and sucking mouthparts is the ________. (a) grasshopper (b) locust (c) aphid (d) beetle
24. The presence of weeds in harvested produce can lead to ________. (a) increased market value (b) reduced storage life (c) improved taste (d) higher nutritional content
25. Which of these pests is known to transmit diseases to crops? (a) Earthworm (b) Ladybug (c) Whitefly (d) Spider
26. Mowing is an example of a ________ method of weed control. (a) chemical (b) biological (c) cultural (d) mechanical
27. A major characteristic of weeds that makes them difficult to control is their ________. (a) slow growth (b) high reproductive capacity (c) specific nutrient requirements (d) short life cycle
28. The practice of preparing a seedbed thoroughly before planting to remove weeds is called ________. (a) mulching (b) tillage (c) broadcasting (d) pruning
29. Which of the following is a beneficial use of some weeds? (a) Cause crop diseases (b) Serve as medicinal herbs (c) Compete for nutrients (d) Harbour pests
30. The destruction of leaves and stems by pests like locusts leads to ________. (a) enhanced photosynthesis (b) reduced photosynthetic area (c) increased water absorption (d) improved fruit development
31. Pests are generally classified into insects, birds, mammals, and ________. (a) reptiles (b) amphibians (c) fish (d) rodents
32. The term “selective herbicide” refers to a chemical that ________. (a) kills all plants (b) kills only broadleaf weeds (c) kills only narrow-leaf weeds (d) kills specific types of weeds or plants
33. A weed that completes its life cycle within one growing season is called a/an ________ weed. (a) perennial (b) annual (c) biennial (d) evergreen
34. The primary effect of weeds on crop yield is ________. (a) increase in yield (b) reduction in yield (c) no effect on yield (d) improvement in yield
35. Which of these is an example of a weed used as food for humans? (a) Water hyacinth (b) Amaranthus (Tete) (c) Imperata cylindrica (d) Striga
36. Weeds can act as alternative hosts for ________. (a) crops (b) beneficial insects (c) pests and diseases (d) pollinators
37. The process of covering the soil surface with materials like straw to suppress weeds is known as ________. (a) weeding (b) mulching (c) tilling (d) ridging
38. Which of the following describes the mouthpart of a beetle? (a) Piercing and sucking (b) Chewing (c) Siphoning (d) Sponging
39. The reduction in the market price of farm produce due to pest damage is an example of ________. (a) increased quality (b) reduced value (c) enhanced appearance (d) improved yield
40. ________ are unwanted plants that grow spontaneously in cultivated areas. (a) Crops (b) Flowers (c) Weeds (d) Vegetables

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

1. (a) Define the term “weed” in agricultural science. (2 marks)
(b) List any three characteristics of weeds. (3 marks)
(c) State three negative effects of weeds on crop production. (3 marks)
(d) Give two examples of cultural methods of weed control. (2 marks)

2. (a) What is an agricultural pest? (2 marks)
(b) Classify agricultural pests into three main categories, giving one example for each. (3 marks)
(c) Explain how pests can reduce the quality of farm produce. (3 marks)
(d) Name two insect pests based on their mouthparts. (2 marks)

3. (a) State two uses of weeds. (2 marks)
(b) Differentiate between selective and non-selective herbicides. (3 marks)
(c) Describe three negative effects of using chemical weed control methods on the environment. (3 marks)
(d) Give two examples of common weeds found in your locality. (2 marks)

4. (a) Explain what is meant by “piercing and sucking” mouthparts in insect pests. (2 marks)
(b) Give two examples of insect pests that feed by “biting and chewing”. (3 marks)
(c) Describe three ways in which pests can reduce the value of agricultural produce. (3 marks)
(d) Mention two types of rodents that are considered agricultural pests. (2 marks)

Objective Marking Scheme
Question 1 – ✅ (b) Weeds
Question 2 – ✅ (d) Rapid seed dispersal
Question 3 – ✅ (b) They are usually cultivated
Question 4 – ✅ (c) Maize
Question 5 – ✅ (c) Cultural
Question 6 – ✅ (c) Primary crop cultivation
Question 7 – ✅ (b) To reduce crop yield
Question 8 – ✅ (b) weed
Question 9 – ✅ (c) hand-weeding
Question 10 – ✅ (b) weather condition
Question 11 – ✅ (c) weeds
Question 12 – ✅ (b) soil pollution
Question 13 – ✅ (c) pests
Question 14 – ✅ (b) Rat
Question 15 – ✅ (b) biting and chewing
Question 16 – ✅ (c) weaver bird
Question 17 – ✅ (b) direct
Question 18 – ✅ (b) causing discolouration
Question 19 – ✅ (d) Rat
Question 20 – ✅ (c) biological
Question 21 – ✅ (b) breaks the weed life cycle
Question 22 – ✅ (c) air
Question 23 – ✅ (c) aphid
Question 24 – ✅ (b) reduced storage life
Question 25 – ✅ (c) Whitefly
Question 26 – ✅ (d) mechanical
Question 27 – ✅ (b) high reproductive capacity
Question 28 – ✅ (b) tillage
Question 29 – ✅ (b) Serve as medicinal herbs
Question 30 – ✅ (b) reduced photosynthetic area
Question 31 – ✅ (d) rodents
Question 32 – ✅ (d) kills specific types of weeds or plants
Question 33 – ✅ (b) annual
Question 34 – ✅ (b) reduction in yield
Question 35 – ✅ (b) Amaranthus (Tete)
Question 36 – ✅ (c) pests and diseases
Question 37 – ✅ (b) mulching
Question 38 – ✅ (b) Chewing
Question 39 – ✅ (b) reduced value
Question 40 – ✅ (c) Weeds