Homemade Sun Drier

22 Grade 9 Agriculture questions on Homemade Sun Drier, with worked marking schemes. 22 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   What is a major advantage of using a homemade sun drier over an electric drier for a rural Kenyan family?

   A. It uses free solar energy and is cheap to build

   B. It needs no sunlight to work

   C. It requires expensive electricity

   D. It dries produce during the night

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   Which produce is MOST suitable for preservation using a homemade sun drier?

   A. Fresh milk

   B. Sliced tomatoes and leafy vegetables

   C. Fresh meat cuts kept for long storage

   D. Raw eggs

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   A Grade 9 learner preserves vegetables using a homemade sun drier. By removing moisture from the produce, sun drying mainly helps to:

   A. Increase the weight of the produce

   B. Prevent the growth of micro-organisms so the food lasts longer

   C. Add vitamins to the food

   D. Make the food cook faster when fresh

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   Before drying, vegetables are cut into thin slices. The main reason for slicing is to:

   A. Increase their moisture content

   B. Increase the surface area so they dry faster

   C. Reduce their exposure to the sun

   D. Make them decompose quickly

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   Comparing a homemade sun drier with spreading produce directly on the bare ground in the open sun, a learner explains an advantage of the drier. Which statement is correct?

   A. Open-ground drying protects food better from dust and contamination

   B. The sun drier protects produce from dust, rain and pests while drying it more hygienically

   C. The sun drier always takes much longer to dry produce

   D. Open-ground drying keeps temperatures higher than the drier

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   6 marks

   Describe three practices a learner should observe to obtain good quality dried vegetables when using a homemade sun drier.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 3 (2 mks each): slice produce thinly to increase surface area/faster drying; spread in a single layer on clean trays; place drier in direct sunlight; turn the produce for uniform drying; ensure vents allow moist air out; dry until moisture is fully removed. Total 6.

7. Question 7

   1 mark

   A Grade 9 learner builds a simple homemade solar (sun) drier to preserve vegetables and includes a transparent cover and small ventilation openings. What is the main purpose of the ventilation openings?

   A. To let rain water into the drier

   B. To allow moist air to escape so the produce dries faster

   C. To keep all air sealed inside the drier

   D. To attract insects to the produce

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   During the drying process, the produce on the trays should be turned occasionally in order to:

   A. Ensure uniform drying of all pieces

   B. Add moisture back to the produce

   C. Attract insects to the trays

   D. Slow down the drying rate

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   4 marks

   State two reasons why drying is used as a method of preserving farm produce.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 2 (2 mks each): removes moisture that micro-organisms need, so it prevents spoilage/rotting; extends the storage/shelf life; reduces weight/bulk making storage and transport easier; conserves surplus produce for later use. Total 4.

10. Question 10

    6 marks

    A Grade 9 learner in Kitui constructs a simple homemade solar (sun) drier to preserve vegetables and fruits for the family instead of drying them on the bare ground.

    (a) Give two advantages of using a homemade sun drier over open-sun drying on the ground. (2 marks)

    (b) Describe four features the learner should include in the sun drier to make it work effectively. (4 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Advantages (any two): Food is protected from dust, insects and animals so it stays clean/hygienic; drying is faster because temperature inside is higher; food is protected from sudden rain; reduces spoilage and contamination; produces better quality, better-coloured dried food. (2 marks) (b) Features (any four): (i) A transparent cover (clear polythene sheet or glass) to trap solar heat (greenhouse effect). (ii) Air inlet (bottom) and outlet (top) vents to allow moist air out and dry air in. (iii) Drying trays/racks made of mesh or wire to hold food and allow air to circulate around it. (iv) A black/dark-coloured absorber surface or inside to absorb and retain more heat. (v) The drier raised/tilted at an angle facing the sun for maximum exposure. (4 marks, 1 mark each)

11. Question 11

    1 mark

    A well-dried product from a homemade sun drier should be stored in:

    A. A moist polythene bag

    B. A container of water

    C. A clean, dry, airtight container

    D. An open uncovered dish

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    1 mark

    A farmer constructs a simple homemade solar drier with a clear polythene cover to preserve surplus tomatoes and vegetables. What is the main advantage of using the covered solar drier instead of drying produce in the open?

    A. It dries food more slowly than open drying

    B. It protects produce from dust, rain and pests while trapping heat for faster drying

    C. It adds extra moisture to the produce

    D. It requires electricity to operate

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    A Grade 9 learner preserves vegetables using a homemade sun drier. Removing moisture from the produce mainly helps to:

    A. Prevent growth of spoilage micro-organisms

    B. Increase the weight of the produce

    C. Make the produce absorb more water

    D. Add vitamins to the produce

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    6 marks

    A Grade 9 learner wants to preserve surplus tomatoes and vegetables from the kitchen garden and constructs a simple homemade solar (sun) drier using a wooden box covered with a transparent polythene sheet.

    (a) Explain why drying food using a covered solar drier is better than drying it in the open sun on the bare ground. (3 marks)

    (b) State three foods, other than tomatoes, that the learner can preserve using the homemade sun drier. (3 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Why a covered solar drier is better than open-ground drying (any 3 = 3 marks): 1. The transparent cover protects the food from dust, dirt, flies, pests and rain, keeping it clean and hygienic. 2. The drier traps heat (greenhouse effect), raising the temperature and drying the food faster and more evenly. 3. It protects the food from contamination by animals and from re-wetting by dew, reducing spoilage and loss of nutrients. (Also acceptable: produces better quality, better-coloured dried food than direct/open drying.) (b) Three other foods that can be sun-dried (any 3 = 3 marks): - Vegetables such as kales (sukuma wiki), cowpea leaves (kunde) or spinach - Cereals/grains such as maize, beans or millet - Fruits such as mangoes or bananas (Also acceptable: cassava chips; fish; meat; chillies.)

15. Question 15

    1 mark

    Comparing a homemade sun drier with spreading produce directly on the bare ground, the sun drier is better because it:

    A. Attracts more flies to the produce

    B. Keeps the produce clean and free from dust and animals

    C. Adds soil to the produce

    D. Makes the produce dry more slowly

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    1 mark

    In Kenya, a homemade sun drier should be positioned to:

    A. Receive maximum direct sunlight during the day

    B. Stay in the shade all day

    C. Remain indoors away from windows

    D. Face away from the sun completely

    (1 mark)

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17. Question 17

    1 mark

    Why is a homemade sun drier fitted with small ventilation openings or gaps?

    A. To cool the produce and stop drying

    B. To allow moist air to escape as the produce dries

    C. To let rainwater into the drier

    D. To keep the inside completely airtight

    (1 mark)

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18. Question 18

    1 mark

    A farmer constructs a homemade sun drier with a clear polythene cover to preserve vegetables. What is the main function of the clear cover?

    A. To add flavour to the produce

    B. To keep the produce cool and moist

    C. To trap heat from the sun and speed up drying

    D. To block sunlight from the produce

    (1 mark)

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19. Question 19

    6 marks

    A Grade 9 learner in Kitui constructs a simple homemade sun drier to preserve surplus vegetables.

    (a) Explain how the drier removes moisture from the vegetables.

    (b) State two advantages of drying produce in the drier rather than on the bare ground.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) 2 mks: the transparent cover traps solar heat which raises the temperature inside; warm air absorbs moisture from the produce and moist air escapes through vents, so the produce loses water. (b) Any 2 (2 mks each): produce stays clean/free from dust; protected from animals/flies/rain; dries faster/more uniformly; better hygiene/quality. Total 6.

20. Question 20

    1 mark

    Which of the following materials would be MOST suitable as the transparent cover of a homemade sun drier?

    A. Black opaque plastic

    B. Clear polythene sheet

    C. A thick woollen blanket

    D. A wooden board

    (1 mark)

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21. Question 21

    1 mark

    A learner paints the inside of a homemade sun drier box black. What is the purpose of this?

    A. To absorb more heat and raise the temperature inside

    B. To make the drier look attractive only

    C. To keep the drier cool

    D. To reflect heat away from the produce

    (1 mark)

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22. Question 22

    4 marks

    A learner has finished drying vegetables in a homemade sun drier.

    (a) State how the dried vegetables should be stored.

    (b) Give two reasons why proper storage is important.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) 2 mks: store in a clean, dry, airtight container in a cool dry place. (b) Any 2 (1 mk each): to prevent re-absorption of moisture; to keep out pests/insects; to prevent contamination/mould; to maintain quality for longer. Total 4.

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