Preservation of Cereals and Pulses

21 Grade 5 Agriculture questions on Preservation of Cereals and Pulses, with worked marking schemes. 21 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   Grandmother mixes wood ash with her dry beans before storing them. The ash helps to

   A. keep away weevils and insects

   B. change their colour

   C. make the beans sweeter

   D. add water to the beans

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   Which of the following is a cereal that is preserved after harvesting?

   A. Groundnuts

   B. Beans

   C. Peas

   D. Millet

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   A farmer stores his beans in a container and seals the lid tightly so that no air gets in. This method of storage is called using

   A. wet sacks

   B. paper bags

   C. airtight containers

   D. open baskets

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   After harvesting maize, Mama Njeri spreads the cobs in the sun for several days before storing them. She does this mainly to

   A. add colour to the grains

   B. attract weevils

   C. make them heavier

   D. reduce moisture so they do not rot

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   Before storing grains, a farmer must make sure the store is

   A. wet and dark

   B. open to rain

   C. clean and dry

   D. full of old grains

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   Small insects have bored holes in a bag of stored maize, turning some grains to powder. These destructive insects are called

   A. ants

   B. bees

   C. butterflies

   D. weevils

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   Which of the following is a pulse commonly stored by farmers in Kenya?

   A. Wheat

   B. Rice

   C. Sorghum

   D. Green grams

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   4 marks

   During a class activity, learners were asked to sort produce into cereals and pulses.

   (a) Give two examples of cereals.

   (b) Give two examples of pulses.

   (4 marks)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   A farmer dusts his dry maize with a recommended storage pesticide before bagging it. The main reason for using the pesticide is to

   A. increase the weight of the maize

   B. protect the grains from storage pests

   C. make the grains cook faster

   D. give the maize a good smell

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    Which of these is the MAIN reason for preserving cereals and pulses after harvest?

    A. to store food for use during shortage

    B. to increase the moisture

    C. to attract more insects

    D. to make the grains grow again

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    3 marks

    Grandmother uses wood ash to store her dry beans and pigeon peas.

    (a) Explain how wood ash helps in preserving the pulses.

    (b) State one other traditional method of preserving cereals or pulses.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) (2 mk) Wood ash coats the grains and keeps away/kills weevils and other insects; it also keeps the grains dry, so the pulses are not destroyed during storage. (b) (1 mk) Any one: drying in the sun; storing in a granary; smoking maize cobs above the fireplace; storing in airtight gourds/pots.

12. Question 12

    3 marks

    Mama Zawadi has just harvested a big crop of maize and wants to keep it safe until the next planting season.

    (a) State two methods she can use to preserve the maize.

    (b) Give one reason why maize must be well dried before storage.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Any two (1 mk each): drying in the sun; storing in airtight/sealed containers; mixing with wood ash; dusting with a recommended storage pesticide; keeping in a clean, dry granary; using rat-proof containers. (b) (1 mk) So that it does not develop mould/rot; moisture encourages moulds and pests that spoil the grain.

13. Question 13

    3 marks

    A farmer buys a recommended pesticide dust to protect his stored maize.

    (a) State one safety measure to observe when using storage pesticides.

    (b) Give one advantage of using airtight containers instead of open baskets for storing grain.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) (1 mk) Any one: wear protective gloves/mask; do not eat treated grain immediately/observe waiting period; keep pesticide away from children; use the correct amount; wash hands after use. (b) (2 mk) Airtight containers keep out air, moisture and pests, so the grain stays dry and is not attacked by weevils or moulds, unlike open baskets that let in air and insects.

14. Question 14

    3 marks

    Explain why farmers preserve cereals and pulses after harvesting. Give three reasons.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any three (1 mk each): to have food available during shortage/dry season; to keep seeds for planting the next season; to store surplus produce for selling later; to reduce losses/wastage from pests and rotting; to avoid buying food at high prices later.

15. Question 15

    3 marks

    A shopkeeper wants to keep bags of cereals in good condition for several months. Give three qualities of a good store for cereals and pulses.

    (3 marks)

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16. Question 16

    4 marks

    A farmer finds that weevils have destroyed part of his stored beans.

    (a) Name two pests that destroy stored cereals and pulses.

    (b) State two ways of controlling such pests during storage.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Any two (1 mk each): weevils; rats/rodents; moths/grain borers; beetles. (b) Any two (1 mk each): dust grains with a recommended storage pesticide; mix with wood ash; store in airtight containers; use rat-proof metal containers/traps; keep the store clean and dry; dry grains well before storage.

17. Question 17

    4 marks

    Otieno stored damp maize and later found it covered with a green growth and smelling bad.

    (a) Name the problem that spoiled the maize.

    (b) Explain two things Otieno should have done to prevent this.

    (4 marks)

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18. Question 18

    1 mark

    A store used for keeping dried cereals such as maize and sorghum in the village is called a

    A. kennel

    B. borehole

    C. granary

    D. dam

    (1 mark)

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19. Question 19

    1 mark

    A learner is told to test whether maize is dry enough to store. A simple sign that maize is well dried is that the grains

    A. are hard and break with a crack

    B. stick together

    C. feel soft and moist

    D. smell rotten

    (1 mark)

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20. Question 20

    1 mark

    Mwangi stored his maize while it was still damp, and after two weeks it grew a greenish coating and smelt bad. The maize had been attacked by

    A. mould

    B. birds

    C. rats

    D. weevils

    (1 mark)

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21. Question 21

    1 mark

    Rats have been eating stored grains in Baraka's store at night. The best way to keep the rats away is to

    A. store grains in rat-proof metal containers

    B. leave the grains uncovered

    C. open all the doors at night

    D. add more water to the store

    (1 mark)

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