Observation

Few candidates attempted the question and the overall performance was average. Most candidates were not able to either list the materials and equipment needed for starch resist or outline the process of preparing the starch paste to be used to resist fabric respectively. This makes them to lose substantial marks. They were expected to respond to the question thus:  
(a)              Starch resist is a technique of creating/forming designs/patterns using starch paste (e.g. cassava, rice, corn, etc.)          to resist fabrics or prevent penetration/absorption of dye solution during dyeing process.                                                                                   
(b)             Cassava flour, alum, pot, plastic, bowl/bucket, stove, stencil, dyes, chemicals (caustic soda, hydrosulphite), fabric, squeegee, thumb pin, padded table, electric/coal pressing iron, scraper/broom/hog brush, stirrer/stick.
      (c)        -     Get all materials ready such as starch flour, water, alum, etc.;

• Put water in a pot and boil;
• Add small quantity of alum to the water on the fire;
• Take a bowl and put some cassava flour in it, add cold water and stir to smooth the texture;
• Pour the mixed cold flour in the water  on the fire;
• Take a bowl and put some starch flour (e.g cassava, rice) in it, add cold water and stir properly;
• Pour the mixed cold flour that is on fire;
• Stir often to avoid lumps;
• Leave on fire to cook very well until elastic texture is achieved;
• Leave to cook very well to maintain the thick paste texture;
• Remove from fire and pour into a bowl;
• Leave for fermentation to take place;
• The paste is ready for use.