Cotton is an example of a/an crop.

1. Analyze the question The question asks which category of crop cotton belongs to. Crops are grouped by the main use of the part harvested.

2. Explain the concept Crops are classified by use:

• Fibre crops are grown for fibres used to make cloth, rope, and similar items (cotton, jute, sisal, flax).
• Food crops are grown to be eaten (yam, cassava, maize).
• Latex/rubber crops produce latex (rubber tree).
• Oil crops are grown for edible or industrial oil (oil palm, groundnut, soybean).
• Cereals are grasses grown for their edible grains (maize, rice, millet, guinea corn).

3. Step-by-step solution

• Cotton is grown for the soft, white fibres (lint) around its seeds.
• These fibres are spun into thread and woven into cloth, so cotton is the classic raw material for the textile industry.
• Cotton is not a grass, so it is not a cereal.
• Cotton seed does yield cottonseed oil, but that is a by-product. The main economic purpose of the crop is its fibre.
• It does not produce latex.

4. Answer Cotton is a fibre crop, which is option A.

5. Exam tip Match each crop to its main product:

• Cotton, jute, sisal → fibre
• Rubber → latex
• Oil palm, groundnut → oil
• Maize, rice, millet → cereal

If a crop gives clothing material, think "fibre".