Objective and Essay (Theory) Questions and Answers

This is a 100% original mock examination prepared strictly with reference to the current NECO Agricultural Science syllabus for practice purposes. It is not an NECO past question paper, it does not reproduce any official NECO document, and it does not claim to predict or represent the actual NECO examination in any way.

General Instructions

1. This paper consists of two sections: Section A (Objective) and Section B (Essay).

2. Section A contains 60 objective questions. Answer ALL questions. Time: 40 minutes.

3. Section B contains 6 essay questions. Answer any FOUR (4) questions. Time: 1 hour 40 minutes.

4. Total marks obtainable: 100 (60 marks for Section A and 40 marks for Section B).

5. Write clearly and number your answers correctly.

SECTION A: OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS (60 MARKS)

Answer ALL questions. Each question carries 1 mark. Choose the correct option A, B, C or D.

1. Agricultural Science is best defined as the

A. study of animals only

B. science and practice of crop and animal production for human use

C. study of soil formation only

D. process of buying and selling farm produce

2. Which of the following is a branch of agriculture concerned with the study of soils?

A. Agronomy

B. Pedology

C. Genetics

D. Entomology

3. The branch of agriculture that deals with the breeding and management of farm animals is called

A. horticulture

B. animal husbandry

C. agricultural economics

D. agricultural engineering

4. Which of the following is an importance of agriculture to the Nigerian economy?

A. Provision of food

B. Provision of employment

C. Provision of raw materials for industries

D. All of the above

5. The layer of the earth’s surface in which plants grow and obtain nutrients and water is called

A. bedrock

B. soil

C. subsoil

D. parent material

6. Which of the following is a major type of soil based on texture?

A. Sandy soil

B. Clay soil

C. Loamy soil

D. All of the above

7. The soil type that has the best combination of sand, silt and clay for crop production is

A. sandy soil

B. clay soil

C. loamy soil

D. laterite soil

8. The layer of soil that is richest in organic matter and most suitable for plant growth is the

A. topsoil

B. subsoil

C. parent rock

D. bedrock

9. Which of the following is a physical property of soil?

A. Soil pH

B. Soil texture

C. Nitrogen content

D. Presence of soil organisms

10. The ability of soil to hold water against the pull of gravity is called

A. soil texture

B. soil structure

C. water holding capacity

D. soil fertility

11. Which of the following processes leads to loss of the fertile topsoil by the action of water or wind?

A. Leaching

B. Soil erosion

C. Weathering

D. Composting

12. Which of the following is a method of controlling soil erosion?

A. Bush burning

B. Contour ploughing

C. Overgrazing

D. Deforestation

13. The addition of organic or inorganic substances to the soil to improve its fertility is called

A. irrigation

B. manuring or fertilizer application

C. drainage

D. ploughing

14. Which of the following is an example of an organic manure?

A. Urea

B. Farmyard manure

C. NPK fertilizer

D. Single superphosphate

15. Which of the following is an example of an inorganic fertilizer?

A. Compost

B. Green manure

C. NPK fertilizer

D. Farmyard manure

16. The primary macronutrient responsible mainly for leafy vegetative growth in plants is

A. nitrogen

B. phosphorus

C. potassium

D. calcium

17. Which nutrient is most associated with root development and early plant growth?

A. Nitrogen

B. Phosphorus

C. Potassium

D. Sulphur

18. Which of the following farm tools is used for turning and loosening the soil?

A. Cutlass

B. Hoe

C. Sickle

D. Wheelbarrow

19. The farm implement used for cutting grass and weeds close to the ground is the

A. cutlass

B. hoe

C. spade

D. rake

20. Which of the following is a simple tool used for harvesting cereal crops such as rice?

A. Sickle

B. Axe

C. Wheelbarrow

D. Hoe

21. A tractor-drawn implement used for the primary tillage operation of turning over the soil is called a

A. harrow

B. plough

C. planter

D. cultivator

22. The farm implement used after ploughing to break down large soil clods into finer particles is the

A. plough

B. harrow

C. ridger

D. sprayer

23. Which of the following is a method of land preparation?

A. Clearing

B. Ploughing

C. Harrowing

D. All of the above

24. The system of farming in which crops are grown continuously on the same piece of land year after year without a break is called

A. mixed farming

B. shifting cultivation

C. monocropping

D. crop rotation

25. The traditional farming system where farmers clear a piece of land, cultivate it for some years and then abandon it to fallow is called

A. mixed cropping

B. shifting cultivation

C. mechanized farming

D. crop rotation

26. The practice of growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same piece of land over seasons is called

A. mixed cropping

B. crop rotation

C. monocropping

D. intercropping

27. Which of the following is an advantage of crop rotation?

A. It increases pest and disease build-up

B. It helps to maintain soil fertility and break pest cycles

C. It reduces soil fertility over time

D. It encourages monocropping

28. The practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land is called

A. crop rotation

B. mixed cropping

C. shifting cultivation

D. bush fallowing

29. Which of the following is an example of a cereal crop?

A. Maize

B. Cassava

C. Cowpea

D. Tomato

30. Which of the following is an example of a root and tuber crop?

A. Rice

B. Yam

C. Cowpea

D. Groundnut

31. Which of the following is an example of a legume crop?

A. Maize

B. Cowpea

C. Yam

D. Sorghum

32. A crop grown mainly for industrial or export purposes rather than direct consumption is called a

A. food crop

B. cash crop

C. cover crop

D. fodder crop

33. Which of the following is an example of a cash crop in Nigeria?

A. Cocoa

B. Maize for local consumption

C. Cassava for garri

D. Yam for local consumption

34. Which of the following is a stage in the propagation of crops using seeds?

A. Germination

B. Grafting

C. Budding

D. Layering

35. The method of plant propagation that involves joining parts of two plants so that they grow as one is called

A. budding

B. grafting

C. layering

D. cutting

36. Which of the following is a vegetative method of crop propagation?

A. Sowing of seeds

B. Use of stem cuttings

C. Direct seeding

D. Broadcasting

37. Which of the following is an insect pest of stored grains?

A. Weevil

B. Tick

C. Tapeworm

D. Housefly

38. Which of the following is a common pest of maize in the field?

A. Stem borer

B. Tick

C. Mite

D. Tapeworm

39. A disease of plants caused by fungi is best controlled using a

A. insecticide

B. fungicide

C. herbicide

D. rodenticide

40. A chemical substance used to kill or control weeds is called a

A. fungicide

B. herbicide

C. insecticide

D. nematicide

41. Which of the following is a method of weed control?

A. Hand pulling

B. Use of herbicides

C. Mulching

D. All of the above

42. An unwanted plant that competes with crops for nutrients, light, water and space is called a

A. cover crop

B. weed

C. fodder crop

D. green manure

43. Which of the following is a symptom commonly caused by plant diseases?

A. Vigorous healthy growth

B. Yellowing of leaves and stunted growth

C. Increased fruit yield

D. Early maturity with high yield

44. The process by which farm produce is gathered from the field at maturity is called

A. planting

B. harvesting

C. processing

D. marketing

45. Which of the following is a method of preserving farm produce to prevent spoilage?

A. Drying

B. Smoking

C. Canning

D. All of the above

46. The process of adding value to raw agricultural produce by converting it into a more usable form is called

A. storage

B. processing

C. marketing

D. distribution

47. Which of the following is an example of farm produce processing?

A. Milling of maize into flour

B. Harvesting of maize

C. Weeding of a maize farm

D. Planting of maize seeds

48. The system of keeping crops and livestock together on the same farm is called

A. monocropping

B. mixed farming

C. shifting cultivation

D. ranching

49. Which of the following farm records shows the total income and expenditure of a farm business over a period?

A. Inventory record

B. Profit and loss account

C. Labour record

D. Diary record

50. The document that lists all farm assets and their value at a particular time is called

A. profit and loss account

B. inventory record

C. diary

D. cash book

51. Which of the following factors of production refers to farmland and natural resources used in agriculture?

A. Labour

B. Capital

C. Land

D. Management

52. Which of the following is a factor of production in agriculture?

A. Land

B. Labour

C. Capital

D. All of the above

53. The buying and selling of agricultural produce and inputs is referred to as

A. agricultural marketing

B. agricultural extension

C. agricultural research

D. agricultural mechanization

54. Which of the following is an agency responsible for providing extension services to farmers in Nigeria?

A. Agricultural Development Programme (ADP)

B. Central Bank of Nigeria

C. Federal Ministry of Finance

D. Nigerian Stock Exchange

55. The application of scientific knowledge and equipment to farming operations is called

A. agricultural extension

B. agricultural mechanization

C. agricultural marketing

D. agricultural economics

56. Which of the following is an advantage of agricultural mechanization?

A. It reduces drudgery and increases the speed of farm operations

B. It always reduces crop yield

C. It discourages large scale farming

D. It has no effect on farm output

57. The controlled application of water to crops to supplement natural rainfall is called

A. drainage

B. irrigation

C. leaching

D. erosion

58. The removal of excess water from waterlogged soil to make it suitable for farming is called

A. irrigation

B. drainage

C. erosion

D. manuring

59. Which of the following is a renewable natural resource used in agriculture?

A. Crude oil

B. Solar energy

C. Coal

D. Natural gas

60. Which of the following practices helps to conserve agricultural natural resources for sustainable use?

A. Overgrazing

B. Deforestation

C. Afforestation and controlled bush burning

D. Continuous cropping without fallow

SECTION A MARKING GUIDE: OBJECTIVE ANSWER KEY

Each correct answer carries 1 mark. Total = 60 marks.

Q	Ans	Q	Ans	Q	Ans	Q	Ans
1	B	16	A	31	B	46	B
2	B	17	B	32	B	47	A
3	B	18	B	33	A	48	B
4	D	19	A	34	A	49	B
5	B	20	A	35	B	50	B
6	D	21	B	36	B	51	C
7	C	22	B	37	A	52	D
8	A	23	D	38	A	53	A
9	B	24	C	39	B	54	A
10	C	25	B	40	B	55	B
11	B	26	B	41	D	56	A
12	B	27	B	42	B	57	B
13	B	28	B	43	B	58	B
14	B	29	A	44	B	59	B
15	C	30	B	45	D	60	C

SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTIONS (40 MARKS)

Answer any FOUR (4) questions only. Each question carries 10 marks.

1. (a) Define Agricultural Science. (2 marks)

(b) State four importance of agriculture to the Nigerian economy. (8 marks)

2. (a) List and briefly describe the three main soil types based on texture. (6 marks)

(b) State two properties of a loamy soil that make it suitable for crop production. (4 marks)

3. (a) Distinguish between organic manure and inorganic fertilizer. (4 marks)

(b) State three advantages of organic manure over inorganic fertilizer. (6 marks)

4. (a) What is soil erosion? (2 marks)

(b) State four causes and four control measures of soil erosion. (8 marks)

5. (a) Define crop rotation. (2 marks)

(b) State four advantages of crop rotation to a farmer. (8 marks)

6. (a) List four farm tools and state one use of each. (4 marks)

(b) State three advantages of agricultural mechanization and two of its disadvantages. (6 marks)

SECTION B MARKING GUIDE (ESSAY)

Each question carries 10 marks. Award marks as guided below, giving credit for any other correct and relevant point not listed.

Question 1

(a) Agricultural Science is the science and practice of cultivating crops and rearing animals, together with the processing, storage and marketing of the resulting produce, for human use and economic benefit. (2 marks for a reasonable, complete definition)

(b) Any four points at 2 marks each:

1. Provision of food: Agriculture supplies food crops and animal products needed for human nutrition.

2. Provision of employment: A large proportion of the population is engaged in farming and related activities.

3. Source of income and foreign exchange: Farmers earn income from sales, and export of cash crops earns foreign exchange for the country.

4. Provision of raw materials: Agriculture supplies raw materials such as cotton, rubber and cocoa to agro-based industries.

5. Contribution to Gross Domestic Product: Agriculture contributes significantly to the nation’s total economic output.

(Award marks for any four correctly stated and briefly explained points.)

Question 2

(a) Any three soil types at 2 marks each:

1. Sandy soil: Made up mainly of large sand particles, feels gritty, drains water quickly, has low water and nutrient holding capacity.

2. Clay soil: Made up mainly of very fine particles, feels sticky when wet, drains water poorly, holds water and nutrients well but may become waterlogged.

3. Loamy soil: A balanced mixture of sand, silt and clay particles, with good drainage, aeration and nutrient and water holding capacity.

(b) Any two properties at 2 marks each: Good water holding capacity while still draining well; good aeration allowing root respiration; high nutrient retention supporting plant growth; easy to till and work with farm tools.

Question 3

(a) Organic manure is a soil amendment derived from plant or animal waste such as farmyard manure, compost or green manure, which improves both soil structure and fertility. Inorganic fertilizer is a manufactured chemical compound, such as NPK or urea, that supplies specific plant nutrients in concentrated form. (4 marks for a clear, correct distinction)

(b) Any three advantages at 2 marks each: Improves soil structure, aeration and water holding capacity in addition to supplying nutrients; releases nutrients slowly, reducing the risk of leaching and nutrient loss; adds organic matter that supports beneficial soil organisms; is generally cheaper and more accessible to small scale farmers when locally available; causes less environmental pollution compared to excessive chemical fertilizer use.

Question 4

(a) Soil erosion is the removal or washing away of the fertile topsoil by the action of agents such as water, wind or human activities, leaving the land less productive. (2 marks)

(b) Causes (any four at 1 mark each): Heavy rainfall on bare or sloppy land; deforestation and removal of vegetation cover; overgrazing by livestock; bush burning that destroys plant cover; continuous cultivation without fallow; poor farming practices such as ploughing along slopes.

Control measures (any four at 1 mark each): Contour ploughing across the slope; planting of cover crops and mulching; construction of terraces on hilly land; afforestation and controlled grazing; construction of drainage channels and check dams; practising crop rotation and agroforestry.

Question 5

(a) Crop rotation is the systematic practice of growing different types of crops in a planned sequence on the same piece of land over different seasons or years, to maintain soil fertility and reduce pest and disease build-up. (2 marks)

(b) Any four advantages at 2 marks each:

1. Maintains and improves soil fertility, especially when legumes are included to fix nitrogen.

2. Breaks the life cycle of pests and diseases that are specific to particular crops, reducing infestation.

3. Helps in effective weed control since different crops compete differently with weeds.

4. Improves soil structure through the varied root systems of different crops.

5. Spreads farm labour and income across different periods since crops mature at different times.

6. Reduces the risk of total crop failure since different crops respond differently to weather and pest conditions.

Question 6

(a) Any four tools with a correct use at 1 mark each: Hoe, used for tilling, weeding and making ridges; cutlass, used for clearing bush and cutting weeds; sickle, used for harvesting cereal crops; wheelbarrow, used for conveying farm materials such as soil and harvested produce; rake, used for gathering debris or levelling seedbeds; spade, used for digging and turning soil.

(b) Advantages of mechanization (any three at 1.5 marks each): Increases the speed and efficiency of farm operations; reduces drudgery and the amount of manual labour required; enables large scale farming and timely completion of operations; improves precision in operations such as planting and fertilizer application.

Disadvantages (any two at 1.5 marks each): High initial cost of purchasing and maintaining machinery; may lead to unemployment as it replaces manual labour; requires skilled operators and regular fuel or spare parts supply; can cause soil compaction if not properly managed.

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