Indigenous Kenyan Craft: Pottery
20 Grade 6 Creative Arts & Sports questions on Indigenous Kenyan Craft: Pottery, with worked marking schemes. 20 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
1 markWhich of the following is a traditional use of clay pots in many Kenyan communities?
A. Storing and cooling drinking water
B. Grinding maize
C. Cutting firewood
D. Weaving baskets
(1 mark)
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4 marksExplain the difference between the 'coiling' technique and the 'pinching' technique used in making pottery.
(4 marks)
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6 marksState THREE tools or materials a traditional potter uses when making a clay pot, and give the purpose of each.
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
Any 3 pairs for 2 marks each (name 1 + purpose 1): clay — the main material used to mould the pot; water — to soften/mix the clay; a smooth stone or wet cloth — to smoothen the surface; a stick/comb-like tool — to decorate/make patterns; a flat surface/board — to work the clay on; fire/kiln — to fire/harden the pot. Max 6 marks.
Question 4
4 marksModern factory-made containers are replacing traditional clay pots. Suggest TWO ways the community can encourage young people to keep the indigenous craft of pottery alive.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Any 2 for 2 marks each: teach pottery in schools and clubs; organise cultural exhibitions and competitions; elders demonstrating and training the youth; selling pots to earn income so the craft is seen as valuable; forming pottery groups/cooperatives; using local media to promote the craft. Accept any reasonable suggestion. Max 4 marks.
Question 5
1 markBefore moulding a pot, the potter presses and folds the clay repeatedly to remove air and make it smooth. This preparation process is called:
A. Firing
B. Kneading (wedging)
C. Glazing
D. Decorating
(1 mark)
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1 markA potter rolls the clay into long ropes and winds them round and round on top of each other to build the walls of a pot. Which technique is this?
A. Casting
B. Coiling
C. Pinching
D. Weaving
(1 mark)
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1 markA potter presses lines and dots onto the wet surface of a pot using a stick and a comb-like tool. What is she doing to the pot?
A. Storing it
B. Kneading it
C. Decorating it
D. Firing it
(1 mark)
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5 marksA Grade 6 class visits a local potter. Arrange the following pottery-making stages in the correct order: firing, kneading the clay, collecting and preparing clay, moulding the pot, drying in the shade.
(5 marks)
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1 markAfter moulding, the finished clay pots are baked in a very hot fire so they become hard and strong. What is this stage of pottery called?
A. Kneading
B. Firing
C. Coiling
D. Drying in shade
(1 mark)
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1 markWhich of the following items is traditionally made using pottery skills?
A. A sisal basket
B. A wooden stool
C. A water storage pot
D. A cowhide drum skin
(1 mark)
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1 markWanjiku's grandmother makes cooking pots at home. What is the main raw material she uses to make the pots?
A. Wood
B. Sisal
C. Clay
D. Wool
(1 mark)
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4 marksFiring is the final stage of making a clay pot.
(a) Explain what firing does to the pot.
(b) State ONE safety measure a learner should observe during firing.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Firing bakes the pot in strong heat so it becomes hard, strong and durable (and waterproof) instead of soft clay — 2 marks. (b) Any 1 for 2 marks: keep a safe distance from the hot fire; do not touch hot pots with bare hands; work with adult/teacher supervision; keep water nearby in case of fire. Max 4 marks.
Question 13
4 marksA young learner wants to make an attractive clay pot. Explain TWO ways she can decorate the surface of the pot before it dries.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Any 2 for 2 marks each: pressing patterns/lines and dots using a stick, comb or the fingernails (incising/impressing); smoothing and burnishing with a smooth stone to make it shiny; adding coils/knobs of clay for texture; making dents/patterns with a rolled cord or seeds. Accept any valid decoration method. Max 4 marks.
Question 14
1 markWhen fresh clay is dug from the ground, the potter first removes stones, roots and other unwanted materials. Why is this step important?
A. To make the clay smooth so the pot does not crack
B. To make the clay change colour
C. To make the clay dry faster in the sun
D. To make the pot heavier
(1 mark)
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4 marksPottery is an important indigenous craft in Kenya.
(a) State TWO uses of clay pots in traditional Kenyan homes.
(b) Give ONE reason why pottery should be preserved.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any 2 for 1 mark each: storing/cooling drinking water; cooking food; storing grains/cereals; storing milk; brewing; decoration/ornaments; ritual/cultural uses. (b) Any 1 for 2 marks: it preserves our culture and heritage; it is a source of income/livelihood; it passes skills to the young generation; it uses local, affordable materials. Max 4 marks.
Question 16
1 markPottery is an indigenous Kenyan craft that has been passed down over many years. The best way this skill has traditionally been passed from one generation to the next is through:
A. Buying finished pots from shops
B. Elders teaching the young by demonstration and practice
C. Reading it from imported textbooks
D. Watching television programmes
(1 mark)
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1 markWhy should moulded pots be left to dry slowly in the shade before firing?
A. To change them into clay again
B. To make them lighter to carry
C. To prevent them from cracking
D. To colour them green
(1 mark)
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1 markA learner presses a thumb into a small ball of clay and gently squeezes the sides to open it into a small bowl. This simple hand-building method is called:
A. Coiling
B. Firing
C. Glazing
D. Pinching
(1 mark)
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4 marksA potter says that kneading the clay well is very important.
(a) Describe what happens during kneading.
(b) Explain what could go wrong if the clay is not kneaded properly.
(4 marks)
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1 markWhich tool would a potter most likely use to make the surface of a wet pot smooth and even?
A. A pair of scissors
B. A saw
C. A smooth stone or wet cloth
D. A hammer
(1 mark)
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