Observation

This question was quite popular among candidates and performance was commendable.
(a)        Many candidates were able to describe the shears as well as state the uses of shears and
secateurs. However on the uses of shears, some candidates mentioned ‘trimming’ only
instead of ‘trimming of hedges’; thus losing marks.
(b)        Furthermore, few candidates mentioned ‘wash the tool’, ‘store in cold place’ in the
maintenance practices of farm tools.
(c)        Some candidates also had spelling errors in answering the questions; thus losing marks.

The expected answers include:

(a) Description of specimen A (Shears)

-    An enlarged pair of scissors/scissors like tool           
-    Possesses two long metal blades                                
-    Handles may be wood/metal/rubber/plastic
-    Blades are sharpened at one edge
-    Blades connected at the pivot by bolt and nut                       
                                                     
(b) Uses of specimens A (Shears) and B (Secateurs)
Specimen A (Shears)
-    Trimming of hedges               
-     Pruning of tree crops 
-     Cutting of flowers                                                                 
                                                                   
      Specimen B (Secateurs)
-   Preparing cuttings                                                 
-   Pruning shrubs and ornamental plants            
-   Cutting flowers/ornamentals/scion/root stock/bud
-   For harvesting some beverage plants e.g. tea
-   For trimming hedges/shrubs                                                                                                                                       
(c)  Maintenance practices of specimens A (Shears) and C (Spade)
Specimen A (Shears)
-   Sharpen the blades                                                 
-   Straighten the blades when bent                                  
-   Lubricate the joints/fulcrum
-   Grease blades to prevent rusting
-   Tighten loose bolts
-   Apply termite repellant to wooden handle
-   Store in cool and dry place/shade
-   Clean/wash and dry after use                                      
                                                                   
      Specimen C (Spade)
-   Straighten bent blade                                             
-   Replace damaged handle                                 
-   Wash and dry/clean after use
-   Store in cool and dry place
-   Apply termite repellant to wooden handle
-   Oil/grease the metal blade                                                       

(d)  Other farm tools that could perform similar functions as specimen C (Spade)
-     Shovel
-     Hoe
-     Hand trowel