The phosphorus cycle is described as being sedimentary because phosphorus

C. is solid at room temperature

The diagram below illustrates a farm operation. Study it and answer this question. Which of the following statements is not a reason for carrying out the illustrated farm operation? To

C. improve the yield of the crop

A. expose the leaves to sunlight

C. improve the yield of the crop

D. prevent lodging of the plants

An advantage of zero-grazing is that it

C. prevents depletion of pasture

B. prevents livestock from physical exercises

C. prevents depletion of pasture

D. increases the cost of pasture management

The best way for a young animal to obtain colostrum is by

D. allowing it to suckle the dam

C. injecting it with progesterone

D. allowing it to suckle the dam

Two species of kola grown for commercial purposes in West Africa are

C. Cola nitida and cola acuminata

A. Cola acuminata and cola gigantea

B. Cola nitida and cola verticillata

C. Cola nitida and cola acuminata

D. Cola verticillata and cola gigantea

Which of the following problems of agriculture could be solved through farmers' adoption of research findings?

D. Insufficient basic amenities

Which of the following features is not a characteristic of a good layer

D. Broad and flexible pelvic bone

Yam stored in a barn should be inspected at least once a week in order to

D. remove sprouts and rotten tubers

A. remove irregular shaped tubes

D. remove sprouts and rotten tubers

Which of the following groups of insect pests damages crops by bitting and chewing?

C. armyworm, termite nd grasshopper

A. cotton stainer, armyworm and cricket

B. cricket, mealybug, and whitefly

C. armyworm, termite nd grasshopper

D. cotton stainer, mealybug and termite

Which of the following practices will improve clay soil?

D. addition of organic material

A. use of acid-forming fertilizers

D. addition of organic material

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WAEC (WASSCE) 2021

2021 WAEC (WASSCE) Agricultural Science Past Questions and Answers

The 2021 WAEC (WASSCE) Agricultural Science past questions with answers: 49 objective questions from the 2021 paper in the DeeepSolve question bank, each with its answer behind "Show answer". Try each question before you check, then practise the paper as a timed WAEC-style CBT.

Practise this paper as a timed WAEC-style CBT All WAEC (WASSCE) Agricultural Science years

Questions

1.This question needs a diagram, table or passage that we don't have yet, so it isn't shown.
2.
The construction of rural feeder roads solves the following access problems in agriculture except
1. A.marketing
2. B.transportation
3. C.extension services
4. D.land tenure system
Show answer
Answer: D. land tenure system
AI explanation
Step 1: Analyze the question We are asked which problem rural feeder roads do NOT solve. This is an "except" question, so three options are benefits of roads and one is not.
Step 2: Explain the concept Rural feeder roads link farms and villages to markets, towns, and main highways. They improve physical access, which affects movement of goods, people, and services.
Step 3: Evaluate each option
A. Marketing: Good roads let farmers take produce to markets easily, and buyers can reach farms. Roads solve this problem.
B. Transportation: This is the main purpose of roads. They make it easier and cheaper to move inputs and produce, and reduce spoilage. Roads solve this problem.
C. Extension services: Extension agents can reach farmers in remote villages more easily when roads exist. Roads solve this problem.
D. Land tenure system: This is about how land is owned, acquired, and used (inheritance, communal ownership, leasing, and so on). It is a legal, social, and cultural matter. Building a road does not change who owns land or how it is held. Roads do not solve this problem.
Step 4: Answer The answer is D. land tenure system.
Tip: In "except" questions, ask what each option is about. Roads deal with physical access (movement, markets, services). Land tenure is about ownership rights, so it is the odd one out. Remember: roads move things, laws and customs settle land ownership.
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3.
The phosphorus cycle is described as being sedimentary because phosphorus
1. A.is a macroelement
2. B.is an earthbound element
3. C.is solid at room temperature
4. D.occurs in the atmosphere
Show answer
Answer: B. is an earthbound element
AI explanation
Step 1: Analyze the question We're asked why the phosphorus cycle is called sedimentary. This is about where phosphorus is mainly stored and how it moves in nature.
Step 2: Explain the concept Nutrient cycles fall into two main types:
Gaseous cycles (nitrogen, carbon, oxygen): the element has a major reservoir in the atmosphere, so it moves easily through air.
Sedimentary cycles (phosphorus, sulphur in part, calcium): the main reservoir is the earth's crust, in rocks, soils and sediments. The element is released by weathering and erosion, taken up by plants, passed to animals, and returned to the soil and water through decay and excretion. Eventually it settles as sediment and forms rock again.
Phosphorus has no significant gaseous phase, so it does not cycle through the atmosphere. It stays on or in the earth (it is "earthbound").
Step 3: Evaluate the options
A. Is a macroelement. Phosphorus is a macronutrient, but nitrogen and carbon are too, and their cycles are gaseous. This doesn't explain "sedimentary."
B. Is an earthbound element. Correct. Its reservoir is rock and sediment, and it has no atmospheric reservoir.
C. Is solid at room temperature. This is true of the element, but it is not the reason. Sulphur is also solid, and other factors determine the cycle type. It is a distractor, since the cycle depends on the reservoir and not just physical state.
D. Occurs in the atmosphere. This is false and is the opposite of why the cycle is sedimentary.
Step 4: Answer The phosphorus cycle is sedimentary because phosphorus is an earthbound element, found mainly in rocks and soil sediments rather than in the air.
Tip: Remember "Gaseous = atmosphere reservoir; Sedimentary = earth reservoir." If an option says the element is in the air, it's pointing to a gaseous cycle, so eliminate it for a sedimentary-cycle question.
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4.
In planning a farmstead, the structure which should be located on high elevation is the
1. A.fish pond
2. B.pigsty
3. C.farmhouse
4. D.processing shed
Show answer
Answer: C. farmhouse
AI explanation
Analyze the question: In planning a farmstead (the farmhouse and its surrounding buildings), which structure should be sited on high ground?
Concept: Farmstead layout is guided by drainage, sanitation, and safety.
Water and waste flow downhill, so structures that produce waste or need water should be on low ground, away from the dwelling.
The farmer's residence (farmhouse) should be on higher ground. That gives good drainage, protection from flooding, a view of the whole farm for supervision, fresh air, and fewer smells, flies and diseases from animal wastes.
Step by step:
A. Fish pond: needs a low-lying site where water collects, so it is not placed on high ground.
B. Pigsty: produces strong odour and waste, so it should be downhill and downwind of the house.
C. Farmhouse: should be on high, well-drained ground, upwind of the animal pens, to stay dry, healthy and in a position to oversee the farm.
D. Processing shed: can be on level ground near the roads for easy transport, and does not need high elevation.
Answer: The farmhouse, option C.
Exam tip: Remember "House high, waste low." Anything that produces smell or wastewater (pigsty, fish pond, poultry) goes lower than and away from the living quarters.
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5.
The diagram below illustrates a farm operation. Study it and answer this question. Which of the following statements is not a reason for carrying out the illustrated farm operation? To
1. A.expose the leaves to sunlight
2. B.prevent damage by rodents
3. C.improve the yield of the crop
4. D.prevent lodging of the plants
Show answer
Answer: C. improve the yield of the crop
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6.
The breeds of cattle resistant to trypanosomiasis are
1. A.N'dama and moturu
2. B.White fulani and biu
3. C.Red bororo and adamawa
4. D.Wadara and sokoro gudali
Show answer
Answer: A. N'dama and moturu
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7.
Elaeis guineensis and Arachis hypogaea are examples of
1. A.latex crops
2. B.oil crops
3. C.fibre crops
4. D.fruit crops
Show answer
Answer: B. oil crops
AI explanation
Step 1: Analyze the question The question gives two scientific (Latin) names and asks what group of crops they belong to.
Step 2: Identify the crops
Elaeis guineensis is the oil palm. Its fruit gives palm oil, and its kernel gives palm kernel oil.
Arachis hypogaea is the groundnut (peanut). Its seeds are rich in edible oil, which is used for groundnut oil.
Step 3: Check the options
A. Latex crops: these produce latex, such as rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Neither crop does.
B. Oil crops: both are grown mainly for the oil in their fruits or seeds. This fits.
C. Fibre crops: these include cotton, jute, and sisal. Neither crop is one.
D. Fruit crops: examples are orange, mango, and pawpaw. Oil palm and groundnut are not usually classed as fruit crops.
Step 4: Answer Both crops are oil crops, so the answer is B.
Tip: Learn the Latin names of common Nigerian crops in groups:
Oil crops: Elaeis guineensis (oil palm), Arachis hypogaea (groundnut), Glycine max (soybean), Cocos nucifera (coconut)
Latex crop: Hevea brasiliensis (rubber)
Fibre crop: Gossypium hirsutum (cotton)
Beverage crops: Theobroma cacao (cocoa), Coffea (coffee)
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8.
An advantage of zero-grazing is that it
1. A.requires a lot of labour
2. B.prevents livestock from physical exercises
3. C.prevents depletion of pasture
4. D.increases the cost of pasture management
Show answer
Answer: C. prevents depletion of pasture
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9.
A suitable grass for lawns is
1. A.Andropogon gayanus
2. B.Pennisetum purpureum
3. C.Cynodon dactylon
4. D.Panicum maximum
Show answer
Answer: C. Cynodon dactylon
AI explanation
Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which grass is suitable for lawns. A lawn grass must be low-growing, creeping (spreading by stolons or rhizomes), able to tolerate regular mowing and trampling, and form a dense mat.
Step 2: Review each option
A. Andropogon gayanus (Gamba grass): A tall, tufted perennial that can grow over 2 m. It is used for pasture and thatching, not lawns.
B. Pennisetum purpureum (Elephant/Napier grass): A very tall grass, up to 4 m or more. It is used as fodder for cut-and-carry feeding, so it is unsuitable for lawns.
C. Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass): A low-growing creeping grass that spreads by stolons and rhizomes. It forms a dense turf, tolerates close mowing and heavy foot traffic, and is widely used for lawns, golf courses, and football pitches.
D. Panicum maximum (Guinea grass): A tall, tufted fodder grass up to 2-3 m. It is used for grazing and hay, not lawns.
Step 3: Answer Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass, also called "doob grass") is the only low-growing, mat-forming grass in the list, so the answer is C.
Tip: Remember "Cynodon = Carpet." Cynodon makes a carpet-like lawn. The other three (Andropogon, Pennisetum, Panicum) are tall fodder or pasture grasses.
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10.
Okro seeds are sown on 0.72 hectares of farmland at a spacing of 60cm. Calculate the expected plant population
1. A.3,600 plants
2. B.7,200 plants
3. C.10,000 plants
4. D.20,000 plants
Show answer
Answer: D. 20,000 plants
AI explanation
Analyze the question: We need the number of okro plants on 0.72 ha when the spacing is 60 cm. The question gives only one spacing, so we assume a square arrangement of 60 cm × 60 cm.
Concept: Plant population = Total area ÷ Area occupied by one plant
Solution:
Convert the area to m²: 1 hectare = 10,000 m² 0.72 ha = 0.72 × 10,000 = 7,200 m²
Area per plant: 60 cm = 0.6 m Area = 0.6 × 0.6 = 0.36 m²
Population: 7,200 ÷ 0.36 = 20,000 plants
Check against the options: This gives 20,000 plants, which is option D.
Tip: Always convert hectares to m² (×10,000) and cm to m (÷100) before dividing. When only one spacing is given, assume a square spacing (60 cm × 60 cm). A quick shortcut is to divide by 0.36 by multiplying by 100/36: 7,200 × 100/36 = 20,000.
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11.
Microorganisms that decompose organic matter will function best under
1. A.waterlogged soil condition
2. B.anaerobic soil condition
3. C.low soil tempertaure
4. D.optimum soil PH
Show answer
Answer: D. optimum soil PH
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12.This question needs a diagram, table or passage that we don't have yet, so it isn't shown.
13.
A long-term loan for an agricultural enterprise could be obtained from
1. A.micro-finance banks
2. B.commercial banks
3. C.money lenders
4. D.cooperative societies
Show answer
Answer: B. commercial banks
AI explanation
Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which source can provide a long-term loan for an agricultural enterprise. The key phrase is "long-term."
Step 2: Concept Agricultural credit is classified by duration:
Short-term (under 1 year): for inputs like seeds, fertilizer, and labour.
Medium-term (1-5 years): for equipment and small livestock.
Long-term (over 5 years): for land purchase, large buildings, plantations, and heavy machinery.
Different lenders suit different loan periods:
Money lenders: very short-term, high interest, informal.
Cooperative societies: small, short-to-medium-term loans from members' pooled savings.
Micro-finance banks: small loans for small businesses, usually short-term.
Commercial banks: have large capital bases and can give large, long-term loans, provided the borrower has collateral.
Step 3: Eliminate
A. Micro-finance banks: loans are small and short-term, so this is not the best fit.
C. Money lenders: short-term and costly, so this is not suitable.
D. Cooperative societies: limited funds, so they rarely give large long-term loans.
B. Commercial banks: they have the capital and structure for large long-term loans.
Step 4: Answer The correct option is **B.
Tip: Link "long-term + large amount" with "commercial banks" (or development banks like the Bank of Agriculture). Link "small and quick" with "cooperatives, micro-finance, and money lenders."
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14.
The best way for a young animal to obtain colostrum is by
1. A.giving it powdered milk
2. B.providing it with warm milk
3. C.injecting it with progesterone
4. D.allowing it to suckle the dam
Show answer
Answer: D. allowing it to suckle the dam
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15.This question needs a diagram, table or passage that we don't have yet, so it isn't shown.
16.
In sheep production, tapeworm could be controlled by
1. A.dusting
2. B.spraying
3. C.dipping
4. D.drenching
Show answer
Answer: D. drenching
AI explanation
Analyze the question: Tapeworms are internal parasites (endoparasites) that live in the intestines of sheep. So we need a control method that works inside the body.
Explain the concept:
Dusting, spraying and dipping are used against external parasites (ectoparasites) such as ticks, lice, mites and fleas. The chemical is applied to the skin, fleece or coat.
Drenching means giving liquid medicine (an anthelmintic or dewormer) by mouth to the animal. It is the standard way to control internal parasites (endoparasites) such as tapeworms, roundworms and liver flukes.
Step-by-step solution:
Tapeworm is a worm living in the gut, so it is an internal parasite.
Internal parasites must be treated with medicine that is swallowed and reaches the gut.
Dusting (A), spraying (B) and dipping (C) only treat the outside of the animal, so they cannot reach tapeworms.
Drenching (D) delivers anthelmintics directly into the digestive system, where it kills the tapeworms.
Answer: D. Drenching
Exam tip: Remember "Drenching = Deworming" (inside the body). Dusting, Spraying and Dipping are for the skin, which is outside. When you see worms in a question, think drenching.
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17.
The major source of water to the plants in the diagram is
1. A.gravitational water
2. B.hygroscopic water
3. C.capillary water
4. D.surface water
Show answer
Answer: B. hygroscopic water
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18.
If 0.7kg of feed was fed to chicks per week, determine the cost of feeding the birds for 6 weeks. (1kg of feed costs #5)
1. A.#4.20
2. B.#11.70
3. C.#21.00
4. D.#30.00
Show answer
Answer: C. #21.00
AI explanation
Analyze the question: We are given the weekly feed quantity (0.7 kg), the number of weeks (6), and the price per kg (#5). We need the total cost.
Concept: Total cost = total quantity of feed × price per kg
Solution:
Total feed for 6 weeks = 0.7 kg × 6 = 4.2 kg
Total cost = 4.2 kg × #5 = #21.00
Check: Weekly cost = 0.7 × 5 = #3.50. Over 6 weeks: 3.50 × 6 = #21.00 ✔
Why the other options are wrong:
A (#4.20) is the total feed in kg (4.2) written as money, which forgets to multiply by the price.
B and D don't come from a correct sequence of steps.
Tip: In cost questions, always follow this order: find the total quantity, then multiply by the unit price. Check your units (kg × #/kg = #) so you know you've done it right.
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19.
The new rock formed when limestone is subjected to great heat and pressure is
1. A.slate
2. B.graphite
3. C.marble
4. D.gneiss
Show answer
Answer: C. marble
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20.
Feeds that have more than 18% fibre are classified as
1. A.concentrates
2. B.additives
3. C.supplements
4. D.roughages
Show answer
Answer: D. roughages
AI explanation
Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which class of livestock feed has a crude fibre content above 18%.
Step 2: Explain the concept Animal feeds are grouped by their fibre content and nutrient density:
Roughages: bulky feeds with high crude fibre (more than 18%) and low digestible nutrients. Examples are grasses, hay, silage, straw, and crop residues.
Concentrates: feeds with low fibre (less than 18%) and high digestible nutrients, such as energy-rich or protein-rich feeds. Examples are maize, groundnut cake, soyabean meal, and palm kernel cake.
Supplements: feeds added to the basic diet to make up for a nutrient deficiency, such as minerals, vitamins, or protein concentrates.
Additives: substances added in small amounts to improve feed quality, growth, or preservation. Examples are antibiotics, hormones, and antioxidants.
Step 3: Solution
A. Concentrates have less than 18% fibre, so this is wrong.
B. Additives are not classified by fibre content, so this is wrong.
C. Supplements are not classified by fibre content, so this is wrong.
D. Roughages have more than 18% fibre, so this is correct.
Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. roughages.
Tip: Remember "Roughage = Rich in fibre (above 18%)". Concentrates are "Compact in nutrients", with low fibre (below 18%). Many WASSCE questions test this 18% cut-off, so memorize it.
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21.
Which of the following statement about slatted floors in livestock housing are true? They I.lessen labour requirements II.reduce odour in pens III.hamper movement of animals
1. A.I and II only
2. B.I and III only
3. C.II and III only
4. D.I,II and III
Show answer
Answer: A. I and II only
AI explanation
Analyze the question: We need to decide which statements about slatted floors in livestock housing (commonly used for pigs, goats, sheep and cattle) are true.
Concept: A slatted floor has gaps between the slats. Dung and urine fall through into a pit or channel below, so the pen floor stays relatively clean and dry.
Evaluate each statement:
I. Lessen labour requirements: TRUE. Because droppings pass through the slats, the farmer does not need to scrape or wash the pen floor as often, so less labour is needed.
II. Reduce odour in pens: TRUE. Waste drains away from the animals' living area, and the floor stays drier. This reduces the build-up of smell and ammonia in the pen. (Some odour can come from the pit below, but the pen itself is cleaner.)
III. Hamper movement of animals: FALSE as a general statement. Slatted floors are designed so that animals can walk, stand and lie on them. Poorly designed slats can cause foot injuries, but that is a design fault, not a defining feature. This is not counted as a true advantage or property.
So statements I and II are true, and III is not.
Answer: A (I and II only)
Exam tip: For "slatted floor" questions, remember the keywords clean, dry, less labour, less odour, better hygiene and fewer parasites. Options that suggest a negative effect on movement are usually distractors. Slatted floors are chosen for hygiene and ease of management.
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22.
The following factors are essential for maize production except
1. A.high temperature
2. B.low temperature
3. C.relative humidity
4. D.adequate rainfall
Show answer
Answer: B. low temperature
AI explanation
Analyze the question: We need the factor that is NOT essential for maize production. Maize is a warm-season crop, so look for the condition that works against its growth.
Explain the concept: Maize (Zea mays) grows best in tropical and warm temperate climates. Its main requirements are:
Warm to high temperature: about 21-30°C for good germination, growth and grain filling. Cold or frost damages the crop.
Adequate rainfall: about 500-1500 mm per year, well distributed, especially at tasseling and silking.
Moderate relative humidity: this supports good growth and pollination. Extremely dry air can dry out silks and hurt pollination.
Well-drained fertile loamy soil, with a soil pH of about 5.5-7.
Step-by-step evaluation:
A. High temperature: Needed. Maize is a warm-weather crop, so this is essential.
B. Low temperature: Not needed. Low temperature slows germination, stunts growth and can kill seedlings with frost. It is therefore not essential, and it is actually harmful.
C. Relative humidity: Needed, since moderate humidity favors growth and pollination.
D. Adequate rainfall: Needed. Water is critical for germination, vegetative growth and grain filling.
Answer: The factor that is not essential for maize production is low temperature, which is option B.
Exam tip: In "except" questions, find the odd one out. Here three options are conditions maize needs (warmth, moisture, humidity), while low temperature is the opposite of what a tropical crop like maize wants. Remember: maize = warm-season crop.
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23.
A tractor-mounted sprayer used on large scale farms is the
1. A.electrodyne sprayer
2. B.motorised sprayer
3. C.knapsack sprayer
4. D.boom sprayer
Show answer
Answer: D. boom sprayer
AI explanation
Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which sprayer is mounted on a tractor and used on large-scale farms.
Step 2: Explain the concept Sprayers are classified by how they are carried or powered:
Knapsack sprayer: carried on the operator's back. It is used on small farms and is hand-operated.
Electrodyne sprayer: a hand-held, battery-powered sprayer that produces very fine droplets (Controlled Droplet Application). It is used for ultra-low-volume spraying and is not tractor-mounted.
Motorised sprayer: has a small engine that powers the pump. It is often carried on the back (a motorised knapsack, or mist blower) and is not primarily tractor-mounted.
Boom sprayer: has a long horizontal boom with many nozzles, attached to the back of a tractor (or towed by it). It covers a wide swath in one pass, so it suits large fields of crops such as maize, cotton and soybeans.
Step 3: Solution "Tractor-mounted" together with "large scale" points to a sprayer with a wide boom that covers a lot of ground quickly. That is the boom sprayer.
Tip: Link each sprayer to its carrier:
Knapsack → back (small farm)
Electrodyne → hand-held and battery-powered
Boom → tractor (large farm)
Whenever you see "tractor" and "large scale" together, think boom.
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24.This question needs a diagram, table or passage that we don't have yet, so it isn't shown.
25.This question needs a diagram, table or passage that we don't have yet, so it isn't shown.
26.
In an experiment determine the percentage of organic matter in a soil sample, the following data was collected; weight of over-dried soil before burning = 50g weight of over-dried soil after burning = 28g. Use the information to answer this question. Calculate the weight of organic matter in the soil
1. A.11g
2. B.22g
3. C.44g
4. D.78g
Show answer
Answer: B. 22g
AI explanation
Analyze the question: Burning the oven-dried soil removes the organic matter (it burns off as gases). The mineral part is what remains. So the weight lost on burning is the weight of organic matter.
Concept: Weight of organic matter = weight before burning − weight after burning
Solution:
Weight before burning = 50 g
Weight after burning = 28 g
Weight of organic matter = 50 g − 28 g = 22 g
Extra step (the likely follow-up question): Percentage of organic matter = (22 ÷ 50) × 100 = 44%.
Be careful here. 44 appears as option C, but that is the percentage, not the weight. This question asks for the weight in grams, so the answer is 22 g.
Why the other options are wrong:
A (11 g): half of 22, with no basis in the data.
C (44 g): this is the percentage value, mistaken for grams.
D (78 g): comes from adding 50 + 28, which has no meaning here.
Exam tip: Always check what the question asks for: the weight (g) or the percentage (%). Examiners often put the percentage figure among the options as a trap. Remember: organic matter = what burns away = weight lost.
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27.
Two species of kola grown for commercial purposes in West Africa are
1. A.Cola acuminata and cola gigantea
2. B.Cola nitida and cola verticillata
3. C.Cola nitida and cola acuminata
4. D.Cola verticillata and cola gigantea
Show answer
Answer: C. Cola nitida and cola acuminata
AI explanation
Analyze the question: The question asks for the two kola species that are grown commercially in West Africa.
Explain the concept: Kola belongs to the genus Cola (family Sterculiaceae, now Malvaceae). Many species exist, but only two are important commercially:
*Cola nitida* (gbanja kola): It has two cotyledons per nut, and the nuts are usually pink or white to red. It is widely grown and traded in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire, and it is the main kola traded to northern Nigeria and the Sahel.
*Cola acuminata* (abata kola): It has multiple cotyledons (usually 3 to 5 or more) per nut. It is grown mainly in southern Nigeria and is used traditionally for ceremonies and for chewing.
Other species, such as Cola verticillata and Cola gigantea, are not grown on a commercial scale. They are mostly wild or local types, and C. verticillata is sometimes used as a chewing stick or for local purposes.
Step-by-step elimination:
A. C. acuminata is correct, but C. gigantea is not commercial. ❌
B. C. nitida is correct, but C. verticillata is not commercial. ❌
C. C. nitida and C. acuminata, which are both commercial species. ✅
D. Neither species is a main commercial kola. ❌
Answer: Option C, Cola nitida and Cola acuminata.
Exam tip: Remember "N and A", for Nitida and Acuminata, as the two money-making kolas. Also remember that nitida has 2 cotyledons, while acuminata has more than 2 (often 3 to 5).
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28.
A plot of land devoted to the cultivation of fruit trees is called
1. A.orchard
2. B.farmstead
3. C.forest
4. D.ranch
Show answer
Answer: A. orchard
AI explanation
Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the name given to a piece of land used for growing fruit trees.
Step 2: Explain the concept Each option names a different kind of land use or farm area:
Orchard: land planted with fruit or nut trees such as orange, mango, cashew, pawpaw and guava.
Farmstead: the farm home area, meaning the farmhouse and the buildings and structures around it. It is not a plantation.
Forest: a large area covered mainly with trees and undergrowth, usually natural and not cultivated for fruit.
Ranch: a large area of land used for rearing livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats.
Step 3: Solution The land is cultivated and the trees are fruit-bearing. That matches an orchard.
B is wrong because a farmstead is a homestead area, not a cultivated fruit plot.
C is wrong because a forest is not specifically for fruit cultivation.
D is wrong because a ranch is for livestock.
Step 4: Answer The correct option is A. orchard.
Tip: Link the words Orchard and Orange. Orchard means fruit trees. Ranch means cattle, because "R" sounds like "rearing". Remembering these pairs helps you answer land-use questions quickly.
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29.
Which of the following problems of agriculture could be solved through farmers' adoption of research findings?
1. A.Unpredictable climate
2. B.Environmental degradation
3. C.poor extension services
4. D.Insufficient basic amenities
Show answer
Answer: B. Environmental degradation
AI explanation
Analyze the question: The question asks which agricultural problem can be solved when farmers adopt research findings (e.g., improved seeds, better farming practices, soil conservation methods, and sustainable technologies from research institutes like IITA, NRCRI, and universities).
Explain the concept: Agricultural research produces solutions such as high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties, soil conservation methods, improved fertilizer use, agroforestry, and integrated pest management. When farmers adopt these, they directly change how they farm on their land.
Evaluate each option:
A. Unpredictable climate: Farmers cannot control the weather. Research may help them adapt (e.g., drought-resistant crops), but the climate itself stays unpredictable, so the problem is not "solved."
B. Environmental degradation: Research findings on soil conservation, erosion control, crop rotation, mulching, agroforestry, and reduced or safer agrochemical use can directly lessen soil erosion, deforestation, and pollution. Farmers' adoption of these practices addresses the problem. ✔
C. Poor extension services: This is a problem of government and institutional delivery (too few extension agents, poor funding, and lack of transport). Farmers adopting research cannot fix it. Rather, extension services are how research reaches farmers.
D. Insufficient basic amenities: Roads, electricity, water, and health facilities are provided by government and infrastructure development, not by farmers adopting research.
Tip: In WASSCE questions of this type, ask: "Can the farmer fix this by changing what he does on the farm?" If the problem depends on government or on nature (climate, amenities, extension delivery), it is usually not the answer. Problems tied to farming practices (like environmental degradation, low yield, pests, and diseases) are solved by adopting research.
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30.
The branch of crop science which deals with the study of insect pests is
1. A.zoology
2. B.agronomy
3. C.entomology
4. D.pathology
Show answer
Answer: C. entomology
AI explanation
Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the branch of crop science that deals with the study of insect pests.
Step 2: Explain the concepts Look at what each option means:
A. Zoology: the study of animals in general. It is too broad and is not a branch of crop science.
B. Agronomy: the science of crop production and soil management, including planting, spacing and tillage. It does not focus on insects.
C. Entomology: the scientific study of insects. In agriculture, it covers insect pests, their life cycles, damage and control.
D. Pathology: the study of diseases. In crops, this is plant pathology, which covers diseases caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses, not insects.
Step 3: Solution The key word is insects. The Greek root entomon means "insect", so entomology means "the study of insects". This matches the question exactly.
Answer: C. Entomology
Exam tip: Match the key word in the question to the root of the answer.
Entomo- = insects
Patho- = disease
Agro- = field or crops
Zoo- = animals
Ornitho- = birds
You can also remember it as: Entomology = Every Insect (pest), while Pathology = Plant sickness.
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31.
The botanical name of onion is
1. A.Zea mays
2. B.Oryza sativa
3. C.Carica papaya
4. D.Allium cepa
Show answer
Answer: D. Allium cepa
AI explanation
Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the botanical (scientific) name of onion. Botanical names are written in Latin as Genus species.
Step 2: Explain the concept Every crop has a botanical name made of two parts: the genus (capitalised) and the species (lowercase). The name is italicised in print, or underlined when handwritten.
Step 3: Check each option
A. Zea mays is maize (corn).
B. Oryza sativa is rice.
C. Carica papaya is pawpaw (papaya).
D. Allium cepa is onion. It belongs to the genus Allium, the same genus as garlic (Allium sativum).
Step 4: Answer The botanical name of onion is Allium cepa, which is option D.
Tip: Link each name to the crop:
Zea mays = maize
Oryza sativa = rice
Carica papaya = pawpaw
Allium cepa = onion ("cepa" sounds like "sepa", and onions make you cry, so think "cepa, cry!")
Allium sativum = garlic
Crop botanical names come up often in WASSCE, JAMB and NECO, so memorise a list of about 15 common ones, such as Manihot esculenta (cassava), Theobroma cacao (cocoa) and Elaeis guineensis (oil palm).
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32.
Which of the following features is not a characteristic of a good layer
1. A.Bright red comb and wattle
2. B.Long and curved beak
3. C.Bright and bulging eyes
4. D.Broad and flexible pelvic bone
Show answer
Answer: B. Long and curved beak
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33.
Which of the following pairs of raw materials is used in the canning industry
1. A.meat and fish
2. B.cotton and sea
3. C.hide and skin
4. D.pulpwood and cocoa
Show answer
Answer: A. meat and fish
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34.
Yam stored in a barn should be inspected at least once a week in order to
1. A.remove irregular shaped tubes
2. B.control termite attack
3. C.prevent mouldiness in yam
4. D.remove sprouts and rotten tubers
Show answer
Answer: D. remove sprouts and rotten tubers
AI explanation
Analyze the question: It asks why yam tubers in a barn must be inspected regularly (at least weekly).
Concept: A yam barn is a traditional storage structure where tubers are tied to vertical stakes. Yam tubers are living organs that keep respiring after harvest. During storage, two main problems develop:
Sprouting. After dormancy breaks, tubers sprout. Sprouting speeds up water loss and uses up stored starch, so the tuber shrinks and loses quality.
Rotting. Fungi and bacteria infect bruised or damaged tubers. Rot spreads quickly to neighbouring healthy tubers.
Step-by-step evaluation of the options:
A. Remove irregular shaped tubers: Shape matters at sorting or grading, not during storage inspection. It does not affect storage life.
B. Control termite attack: Termites are a concern, but they are controlled by site selection, barn construction and treating the posts. Weekly inspection is not mainly for this.
C. Prevent mouldiness in yam: Mould is better prevented by good ventilation and a dry, shaded barn. Inspection alone does not prevent it.
D. Remove sprouts and rotten tubers: This is the routine weekly task. Removing sprouts slows the loss of moisture and food reserves. Removing rotten tubers stops the infection from spreading to healthy ones.
Answer: D.
Exam tip: In storage questions, "inspect regularly" usually goes with "remove" (sprouts, rotten produce, damaged items). Prevention words like "control" or "prevent" usually point to construction, ventilation or treatment instead. Remember S.R.: Sprouts and Rot are the two things you check every week.
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35.
Which of the following groups of insect pests damages crops by bitting and chewing?
1. A.cotton stainer, armyworm and cricket
2. B.cricket, mealybug, and whitefly
3. C.armyworm, termite nd grasshopper
4. D.cotton stainer, mealybug and termite
Show answer
Answer: C. armyworm, termite nd grasshopper
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36.
A farmer practices crop rotation in order to
1. A.reduce yield
2. B.improve soil texture
3. C.increase pest incidence
4. D.improve soil fertility
Show answer
Answer: D. improve soil fertility
AI explanation
Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks why a farmer practices crop rotation, which means growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same piece of land over several seasons.
Step 2: Explain the concept Crop rotation is a good farming practice because different crops have different nutrient needs and root systems. Its main benefits are:
Maintains and improves soil fertility. Legumes such as cowpea, groundnut, and soybean fix nitrogen in the soil through root nodules. This benefits the next crop, such as maize or yam, which uses a lot of nitrogen.
Controls pests and diseases. Changing the crop breaks the life cycle of pests and pathogens that attack one particular crop.
Controls weeds.
Prevents nutrient depletion. Deep-rooted and shallow-rooted crops take nutrients from different soil layers.
Reduces erosion risk when a cover crop is included.
Step 3: Evaluate the options
A. Reduce yield: Wrong. Rotation aims to increase yield.
B. Improve soil texture: Wrong. Soil texture (the proportion of sand, silt, and clay) is a natural property that farming practices cannot meaningfully change. Rotation may improve soil structure, but not texture.
C. Increase pest incidence: Wrong. Rotation reduces pests. Continuous planting of one crop increases them.
D. Improve soil fertility: Correct. Alternating crops, especially including legumes, replenishes nutrients and keeps the soil productive.
Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. improve soil fertility.
Exam tip: Whenever you see "crop rotation" in a question, think fertility, pests, and weeds. Options that say "reduce yield" or "increase pests" are usually distractors. Also remember that texture is a fixed property, so be careful with options that claim a practice improves it.
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37.
Which of the following types of farm power does not cause pollution?
1. A.hydro
2. B.electrical
3. C.mechanical
4. D.chemical
Show answer
Answer: A. hydro
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38.
The causative organism of maize rust is a
1. A.bacterium
2. B.protozoon
3. C.virus
4. D.fungus
Show answer
Answer: D. fungus
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39.
Drying of newly harvested grains before storage helps to increase the
1. A.moisture content
2. B.pest incidence
3. C.seed viability
4. D.nutrient content
Show answer
Answer: C. seed viability
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40.
The diagram below illustrates processes in the water cycle. Use it to answer this question. The process labelled I is.
1. A.evaporation
2. B.absorption
3. C.respiration
4. D.transpiration
Show answer
Answer: B. absorption
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41.
Horse racing and polo are events where horses are used for
1. A.wildlife conservation
2. B.recreation
3. C.dowry payment
4. D.transportation
Show answer
Answer: B. recreation
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42.
The basic importance of agriculture to a forester is to
1. A.obtain honey
2. B.obtain food
3. C.acquire labour
4. D.procure timber
Show answer
Answer: B. obtain food
AI explanation
Analyze the question: The question asks about the basic (most fundamental) importance of agriculture to a forester. A forester manages forests and forest resources, so we need to work out which option best describes what agriculture gives them at the most basic level.
Concept: Agriculture is the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals, mainly to produce food and raw materials. Forestry is a branch of agriculture. A forester, like every other person, depends on agriculture for the most basic need of life: food.
Evaluating the options:
A. Obtain honey: Honey comes from beekeeping (apiculture). A forester may get honey from the forest, but this is a forest product, not the basic importance of agriculture.
B. Obtain food: Food is the most basic need of every person, forester included. Agriculture supplies the crops, livestock and fish he eats. ✔
C. Acquire labour: Labour is not something agriculture "provides" to a forester. Foresters hire or employ workers.
D. Procure timber: Timber is a product of forestry itself. Strictly, the forester provides timber and does not get it from agriculture in general.
Conclusion: The basic importance of agriculture to a forester is to obtain food.
Tip: When you see the word "basic" or "primary" in an agriculture question about importance, think of food first. Food is the most fundamental need, and it is often the correct answer. Also watch out for options like timber and honey, which are forest products and not what agriculture supplies to the forester.
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44.
Which of the following practices will improve clay soil?
1. A.use of acid-forming fertilizers
2. B.bush burning
3. C.addition of sodium chloride
4. D.addition of organic material
Show answer
Answer: D. addition of organic material
AI explanation
Analyze the question: Clay soil has very fine particles, so it packs tightly. This leads to poor drainage, poor aeration, waterlogging, and hardening when dry. To improve it, we need a practice that opens up the structure and improves drainage, aeration, and workability.
Concept: Organic matter (compost, manure, decayed plant material) binds clay particles into larger crumbs or aggregates. This creates pore spaces, which:
improve drainage and aeration
make the soil easier to till
increase nutrient content and microbial activity
still help retain moisture
Evaluate each option:
A. Acid-forming fertilizers: These lower soil pH and can harm soil structure and microbial life over time. They do not improve clay texture. ❌
B. Bush burning: This destroys organic matter, kills soil organisms, and exposes soil to erosion. It makes the soil worse. ❌
C. Addition of sodium chloride: Sodium disperses clay particles, which worsens compaction and creates saline or sodic soil. ❌
D. Addition of organic material: This improves structure, drainage, aeration, and fertility. ✅
Answer: The correct option is D, addition of organic material.
Exam tip: In Agricultural Science, when asked how to improve any soil (sandy, clay, or poor in nutrients), organic matter is almost always the best answer. Remember: "Sandy soil needs organic matter to hold water; clay soil needs it to let water through." Also, watch out for words like "burning" and "salt," which usually point to wrong options.
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46.
Propagation of ginger is generally done using it's
1. A.corn
2. B.rhizome
3. C.sucker
4. D.seed
Show answer
Answer: B. rhizome
AI explanation
Analyze the question: The question asks which plant part is generally used to propagate (multiply) ginger.
Explain the concept: Crops are propagated by different vegetative or sexual parts:
Corm (the option says "corn", likely a typo): a swollen underground stem base, as in cocoyam and gladiolus.
Rhizome: a horizontal underground stem that produces roots and shoots from its nodes, as in ginger, turmeric, and spear grass.
Sucker: a shoot that arises from the base of the parent plant, as in banana and plantain.
Seed: a sexual propagule, as in maize, beans, and cocoa.
Step-by-step solution:
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is the swollen, fleshy underground part we harvest and use as a spice.
This part is botanically a rhizome, which is a modified stem. It has nodes and buds ("eyes").
To plant ginger, farmers cut the rhizome into small pieces ("seed rhizomes" or "setts"). Each piece should have at least one or two healthy buds, and the pieces are planted on ridges or beds.
Ginger rarely flowers or sets viable seed, so seed is not used. Suckers are for banana and plantain, and corms are for cocoyam.
Answer: The correct option is B. rhizome.
Tip: Link the crops to their propagules:
Ginger and turmeric → rhizome
Banana and plantain → sucker
Cocoyam → corm
Yam → tuber (setts)
Sugarcane → stem cutting
Also note that "corn" in option A is probably a misspelling of "corm". Read options carefully in the exam.
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47.
In an experiment determine the percentage of organic matter in a soil sample, the following data was collected; weight of over-dried soil before burning = 50g weight of over-dried soil after burning = 28g. Use the information to answer this question. Determine the percentage of organic matter in the soil
1. A.22%
2. B.44%
3. C.56%
4. D.60%
Show answer
Answer: B. 44%
AI explanation
Analyze the question
You are asked for the percentage of organic matter in a soil sample. The oven-dried soil was weighed before and after burning. Burning destroys the organic matter and leaves only the mineral part of the soil.
Concept
Organic matter = weight before burning − weight after burning
Percentage of organic matter = (loss in weight ÷ original weight) × 100
Solution
Weight before burning = 50 g
Weight after burning = 28 g
Weight of organic matter lost = 50 − 28 = 22 g
Percentage of organic matter = (22 ÷ 50) × 100 = 44%
As a check, the mineral part is 28/50 × 100 = 56%. Then 100% − 56% = 44%, which agrees.
Answer
The percentage of organic matter is 44%, which is option B.
Tip
Do not pick 56% (option C). That is the percentage of the mineral matter left after burning, not the organic matter. Always ask yourself whether the question wants what was lost (organic matter) or what remains (mineral matter). Option A (22) is the weight in grams, not the percentage, so it is also a trap.
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48.
Formation of blisters on the mouth and the skin around the hoof of farm animals is a symptom of
1. A.rinderpest
2. B.anthrax
3. C.Newcastle disease
4. D.foot and mouth disease
Show answer
Answer: D. foot and mouth disease
AI explanation
Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which disease causes blisters (vesicles) on the mouth and on the skin around the hoof (the area between the toes) of farm animals.
Step 2: Key concept Diseases are often named after the body parts they affect. Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. It is caused by an Aphthovirus.
Symptoms of FMD:
Blisters (vesicles) on the tongue, lips, gums and inside the mouth
Blisters on the skin between the hooves and around the coronary band
Excess salivation (drooling), fever, lameness, loss of appetite and reduced milk yield
Step 3: Check each option
A. Rinderpest: a viral disease of cattle. It causes fever, diarrhoea, and erosions or ulcers in the mouth and gut, but not hoof blisters. It has also been eradicated worldwide.
B. Anthrax: a bacterial disease. It causes sudden death, bleeding from body openings, and swellings. It does not cause blisters on the mouth and hooves.
C. Newcastle disease: a viral disease of poultry. Poultry have no hooves, and its signs are respiratory distress, twisted necks and greenish diarrhoea.
D. Foot and mouth disease: matches the symptoms exactly, with blisters on both the mouth and the hoof area.
Step 4: Answer The correct option is **D.
Exam tip: The disease name gives the clue: foot and mouth disease affects the foot (hoof) and the mouth. Also remember that Newcastle disease is for poultry, and anthrax is linked with sudden death and bloody discharge.
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49.
The diagram below illustrates processes in the water cycle. Use it to answer this question. The process labelled II is
1. A.transpiration
2. B.condensation
3. C.evaporation
4. D.respiration
Show answer
Answer: A. transpiration
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