Grade 9 Agriculture and Nutrition Mid Term 2 Exam with Marking Scheme

The structure and content of the exam are as follows:

• SECTION A (30 marks)
  • This section consists of 30 multiple-choice questions, each worth 1 mark.
  • Questions cover a broad range of topics from both Agriculture and Nutrition/Home Science.
  • Agriculture topics include: Benefits of woodlots, nutrient deficiency symptoms in crops (e.g., nitrogen deficiency in sukumawiki), soil conservation methods (e.g., terracing), water harvesting techniques (e.g., roof catchment) and their disadvantages, pest control methods (physical methods like scarecrows), common crop husbandry practices (e.g., transplanting) and suitable tools (e.g., garden trowel), livestock production systems (e.g., free-range poultry keeping) and their advantages, signs of healthy animals, identification of legume crops, principles of integrated farming, purpose of pruning fruit trees, tools for harvesting specific crops (e.g., maize), and principles of crop rotation.
  • Nutrition and Home Science topics include: Functions of major nutrients (e.g., carbohydrates), nutrient deficiency diseases (e.g., Kwashiorkor from protein deficiency), food sources of vitamins (e.g., Vitamin C from fruits), food science (e.g., role of yeast in bread making), cooking methods (e.g., frying), food preservation techniques (e.g., blanching), proper storage of dry foodstuffs, purpose of garnishing meals, food serving styles (e.g., buffet service), kitchen hygiene (e.g., cleaning greasy surfaces), home hygiene (e.g., disinfecting toilets), cleaning tools (e.g., broom), care of bedding, and basic sewing (e.g., tools for cutting fabric, types of stitches for joining fabric).
• SECTION B (40 marks)
  • This section consists of 12 short, structured questions (numbered 31 to 42), grouped into two tasks: Agriculture and Nutrition.
  • Task 1: Agriculture (Questions 31-37, totaling 24 marks):
    • Soil erosion: Definition and agents.
    • Crop pests: Ways pests damage crops and cultural control methods.
    • Fish farming: Reasons for keeping fish and factors to consider when locating a fish pond.
    • Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Definition and benefits over reliance on chemical pesticides.
    • Forage conservation: Types of forage that can be conserved and reasons for conservation.
    • Livestock feeds: Classes of livestock feeds and examples of maintenance feeds for cattle.
    • School gardens: Safety precautions when using garden tools and advantages of establishing a school garden.
  • Task 2: Nutrition and Home Science (Questions 38-42, totaling 16 marks):
    • Kitchen hygiene: Daily cleaning activities in a kitchen.
    • Care of clothes: Reasons for ironing clothes.
    • Meal planning: Reasons for planning meals and suggesting food items for a healthy breakfast for a school-going child.
    • Home hygiene: Places in a home where disinfectants should be used.
    • Food preparation: Identifying ingredients for a specific dish (e.g., scrambled eggs) and highlighting qualities of a well-cooked dish.