Soil Conservation

17 Grade 5 Agriculture questions on Soil Conservation, with worked marking schemes. 17 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   Deep channels form on a bare sloping path at school after heavy rain, and water rushes down them. This type of soil erosion is called:

   A. Sheet erosion

   B. Wind erosion

   C. Gulley erosion

   D. Splash erosion

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   Farmers on a windy plain in Kajiado plant rows of trees along the edges of their farms. What is the main reason for planting these trees?

   A. To provide firewood for cooking only

   B. To reduce the force of wind that blows away topsoil

   C. To block their neighbours from seeing the crops

   D. To make the farm look beautiful

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   4 marks

   Mulching is a method used to conserve soil and water.

   (a) State what mulching means.

   (b) Give two materials a pupil can use as mulch in the school garden.

   (4 marks)

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4. Question 4

   4 marks

   Differentiate between sheet erosion and gulley erosion.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Sheet erosion (2 marks): the removal of a thin, even layer of topsoil from the whole surface of the land by running water, so it is not very easy to notice. Gulley erosion (2 marks): running water cuts deep channels or ditches (gulleys) into the land, carrying away large amounts of soil, and is easy to see.

5. Question 5

   1 mark

   Wanjiku's family farms on a steep hill in Murang'a. Their agriculture teacher advises them to dig level ridges across the slope to slow down rainwater. What are these ridges called?

   A. Drainage channels to the river

   B. Furrows for irrigation

   C. Terraces

   D. Planting holes

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   3 marks

   State three ways in which pupils can help to conserve soil around their school compound.

   (3 marks)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   Which crop is commonly grown as a cover crop to protect bare soil from erosion by covering the ground?

   A. Sunflower

   B. Sorghum

   C. Sweet potatoes

   D. Maize

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   A pupil covers the soil around tomato plants with dry grass. Apart from keeping moisture in the soil, how does this mulch help to conserve the soil?

   A. It attracts more insects to the garden

   B. It protects the soil from being splashed and carried away by rain

   C. It stops the plants from producing flowers

   D. It makes the soil hotter for the roots

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   Which one of the following farming activities is MOST likely to cause soil erosion?

   A. Adding manure to the garden

   B. Digging cut-off drains across a slope

   C. Planting cover crops on bare land

   D. Overgrazing many animals on one small piece of land

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    Growing trees together with crops on the same farm to help hold the soil and improve it is called:

    A. Mono-cropping

    B. Agroforestry

    C. Shifting the whole farm

    D. Overgrazing

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    4 marks

    Wind blows a lot of loose, dry soil away from Otieno's flat farm during the dry season. Suggest two methods he can use to protect his soil from wind erosion.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any two, 2 marks each: Plant rows of trees (windbreaks/hedges) along the edges of the farm to reduce the force of the wind; Cover the bare soil with mulch or cover crops so the wind cannot lift the soil; Keep the soil moist/plant grass so the particles stick together. (1 mark method plus 1 mark explanation each.)

12. Question 12

    3 marks

    A farmer in a hilly area keeps losing soil from his farm whenever it rains heavily.

    (a) State one physical structure he can build to control the running water.

    (b) Explain how the structure you named helps to conserve the soil.

    (3 marks)

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13. Question 13

    3 marks

    Explain what is meant by soil erosion, and state two activities that people do that can cause soil erosion.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Soil erosion is the carrying away or washing away of the top layer of soil by agents such as water or wind (1 mark). Any two causes, 1 mark each: overgrazing/keeping too many animals on small land; cutting down trees/deforestation; ploughing up and down a slope; burning grass and crop remains leaving soil bare; cultivating on steep slopes without terraces.

14. Question 14

    1 mark

    Why is it a good soil-conservation practice to leave strips of grass between blocks of crops on a slope?

    A. The grass roots hold the soil and trap soil carried by water

    B. The grass keeps away all farm animals

    C. The grass makes the crops grow taller

    D. The grass adds salt to the soil

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    1 mark

    Stones packed inside wire cages are placed across a gulley to trap soil and slow water. These structures are known as:

    A. Terraces

    B. Nursery beds

    C. Compost pits

    D. Gabions

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    4 marks

    Explain how planting trees on a farm helps to conserve the soil. Give two points.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any two well-explained points, 2 marks each: The tree roots hold the soil particles firmly together so they are not easily washed or blown away; The tree leaves/branches reduce the force of raindrops and wind before they reach the soil; Fallen leaves cover the soil and rot to add humus that binds the soil. (2 marks for the point plus explanation.)

17. Question 17

    1 mark

    Which practice best helps to reduce the speed of running water on a sloping farm so that less soil is washed away?

    A. Burning the crop remains after harvest

    B. Ploughing along the contour

    C. Ploughing up and down the slope

    D. Removing all the grass from the slope

    (1 mark)

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