1
Sources: EC/NOVEMBER 2023, EC/NOVEMBER 2022, @SACAI NOV 2019, @SACAI NOV 2020, @SACAI NOV 2021, @SACAI NOV 2022 &
@SACAI NOV 2024
This study guide has been compiled to help you prepare systematically for the Grade 11
Agricultural Sciences November Examination Paper 1.
It contains selected key concepts, definitions and exam-style questions based on
Eastern Cape and SACAI past examination papers from 2019 to 2024. Model answers
are included to show how knowledge and skills may be assessed.
Use the revision references at the beginning of each section to review the relevant
content in your Term 1–3 notes. Then work through the November questions to test your
understanding and identify areas that require further revision.
Pay careful attention to scientific terminology and practise interpreting diagrams,
tables, graphs and agricultural scenarios. Paper 2 notes can be requested from
.
Good luck with your preparation!
Juffrou Ansie
CONTENT
Basic Agricultural Chemistry 5
Binding 5
Acids And Bases 9
Organic Compounds 13
Alcohol 18
Proteins 20
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 2
Methane 21
Soil Science (Physical) 22
Soil Texture 22
Soil Structure 24
Soil Moisture 27
Soil Colour 29
Soil Air And Soil Gases 31
Soil Temperature 32
Soil Science (Chemical) 34
Soil Horizons 34
Soil Classification 36
Soil Ph 37
Soil Colloids 38
Soil Organisms 40
Methane •Is the simplest alkane and the main component of
natural gas
• It produces O2 and H2O when it burns more CO2
• Has one carbon and four hydrogens
Covalent bond Formed by two atoms sharing a pair of valence electrons,
allowing the atoms to combine to form molecules.
Difference between Temporary wilting
temporary and • The point where plants wilt occurs
permanent wilting during the hottest parts of the day and
point restored
Permanent wilting– Plants do not recover from wilting
Distinguish between Sodium soil
sodium and saline Sodium carbonate
soil with respect to Salty ground
the dominant salts Chlorides and sulphates of sodium, calcium and
magnesium
Glycosidic bonds • The monomers of starch and glycogen are linked by
glycosidic bonds.
Monomers Monomers are small molecules that can chemically bond with
other monomers to form a polymer.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 3
The mottled • The reduction of red iron ion to blue-grey iron ion
appearance in soil • Many stains in the subsurface
• Spots of rust, yellow and grey colours
Reclamation of
brackish land.
Nematodes and • The soil microorganisms responsible for the
actinomycetes decomposition of plant and animal remains.
Cation • Positively charged ion
Composite • A substance that consists of two or more different
elements combined in a fixed ratio
Molecule • A molecule is the smallest particle of a substance that
exhibits the physical and chemical characteristics of
that substance and is a neutral grouping of two or more
atoms bonded together.
How does a molecule differ
from an atom?
An atom cannot be further
broken down chemically.
The difference An acid is a substance that acts as a proton donor (H+) and
between an acid therefore provides protons into a solution.
and a base
according to the A base is a substance that acts as a proton acceptor (H+) and
Brønsted-Lowry therefore receives protons in a solution.
definition
Lewis structure • The structure in which the outermost electron(s) of an
atom are represented by dots or crosses
Clay • A texture that has a diameter of less than 0.002 mm
Porosity • The degree of bulk volume of soil that is not solid units
Colloids • Very small negatively charged particles that can be
suspended in water
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 4
• The wax layer around the apple = Cuticle
Features:
• This protects the plant from water loss and prevents the
leaching of important minerals by rain.
• It also provides protection against bacteria, fungi and
harmful insects.
The properties that determine the composition of the wax layer
around an apple.
• The type of plant
• The season and environmental factors such as light,
temperature and humidity
Saturation point • Saturation point is the maximum moisture holding
capacity of soil where all pores are filled with water.
Cation adsorption • Cation adsorption is the binding of cations to the
surface of the colloidal soil.
Illuviation • Illuviation is the process by which material from the A
horizon moves to a
• B horizon is laid down.
Matter Matter is something that has mass and occupies space.
Matter is classified in terms of its phase and composition.
Forms:
• Solids, e.g. stone.
• Liquids, e.g. water.
• Gases, e.g. air
The uses of • Methanol can be used as a chemical 'raw material'
methanol and (starting material for other chemical reactions), in
ethanol antifreeze and in the production of biodiesel.
• Ethanol can be used as a solvent and as a fuel.
A connection Consists of two or more elements in definite relationships
Ground colour The most noticeable characteristic of soil that can be most
easily determined
Suspensions Heterogeneous mixtures containing solid particles large
enough for sedimentation.
G-horizon A soil horizon that shows signs of reduction under waterlogged
conditions and has a dull soil colour that reflects permanent
waterlogged conditions
White brackish soil White brackish soil usually has a pH higher than 8.5.
Carbon dioxide An agent that is not responsible for aggregation of soil
particles.
Flocculation To gather or group together
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
Sources: EC/NOVEMBER 2023, EC/NOVEMBER 2022, @SACAI NOV 2019, @SACAI NOV 2020, @SACAI NOV 2021, @SACAI NOV 2022 &
@SACAI NOV 2024
This study guide has been compiled to help you prepare systematically for the Grade 11
Agricultural Sciences November Examination Paper 1.
It contains selected key concepts, definitions and exam-style questions based on
Eastern Cape and SACAI past examination papers from 2019 to 2024. Model answers
are included to show how knowledge and skills may be assessed.
Use the revision references at the beginning of each section to review the relevant
content in your Term 1–3 notes. Then work through the November questions to test your
understanding and identify areas that require further revision.
Pay careful attention to scientific terminology and practise interpreting diagrams,
tables, graphs and agricultural scenarios. Paper 2 notes can be requested from
.
Good luck with your preparation!
Juffrou Ansie
CONTENT
Basic Agricultural Chemistry 5
Binding 5
Acids And Bases 9
Organic Compounds 13
Alcohol 18
Proteins 20
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 2
Methane 21
Soil Science (Physical) 22
Soil Texture 22
Soil Structure 24
Soil Moisture 27
Soil Colour 29
Soil Air And Soil Gases 31
Soil Temperature 32
Soil Science (Chemical) 34
Soil Horizons 34
Soil Classification 36
Soil Ph 37
Soil Colloids 38
Soil Organisms 40
Methane •Is the simplest alkane and the main component of
natural gas
• It produces O2 and H2O when it burns more CO2
• Has one carbon and four hydrogens
Covalent bond Formed by two atoms sharing a pair of valence electrons,
allowing the atoms to combine to form molecules.
Difference between Temporary wilting
temporary and • The point where plants wilt occurs
permanent wilting during the hottest parts of the day and
point restored
Permanent wilting– Plants do not recover from wilting
Distinguish between Sodium soil
sodium and saline Sodium carbonate
soil with respect to Salty ground
the dominant salts Chlorides and sulphates of sodium, calcium and
magnesium
Glycosidic bonds • The monomers of starch and glycogen are linked by
glycosidic bonds.
Monomers Monomers are small molecules that can chemically bond with
other monomers to form a polymer.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 3
The mottled • The reduction of red iron ion to blue-grey iron ion
appearance in soil • Many stains in the subsurface
• Spots of rust, yellow and grey colours
Reclamation of
brackish land.
Nematodes and • The soil microorganisms responsible for the
actinomycetes decomposition of plant and animal remains.
Cation • Positively charged ion
Composite • A substance that consists of two or more different
elements combined in a fixed ratio
Molecule • A molecule is the smallest particle of a substance that
exhibits the physical and chemical characteristics of
that substance and is a neutral grouping of two or more
atoms bonded together.
How does a molecule differ
from an atom?
An atom cannot be further
broken down chemically.
The difference An acid is a substance that acts as a proton donor (H+) and
between an acid therefore provides protons into a solution.
and a base
according to the A base is a substance that acts as a proton acceptor (H+) and
Brønsted-Lowry therefore receives protons in a solution.
definition
Lewis structure • The structure in which the outermost electron(s) of an
atom are represented by dots or crosses
Clay • A texture that has a diameter of less than 0.002 mm
Porosity • The degree of bulk volume of soil that is not solid units
Colloids • Very small negatively charged particles that can be
suspended in water
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 4
• The wax layer around the apple = Cuticle
Features:
• This protects the plant from water loss and prevents the
leaching of important minerals by rain.
• It also provides protection against bacteria, fungi and
harmful insects.
The properties that determine the composition of the wax layer
around an apple.
• The type of plant
• The season and environmental factors such as light,
temperature and humidity
Saturation point • Saturation point is the maximum moisture holding
capacity of soil where all pores are filled with water.
Cation adsorption • Cation adsorption is the binding of cations to the
surface of the colloidal soil.
Illuviation • Illuviation is the process by which material from the A
horizon moves to a
• B horizon is laid down.
Matter Matter is something that has mass and occupies space.
Matter is classified in terms of its phase and composition.
Forms:
• Solids, e.g. stone.
• Liquids, e.g. water.
• Gases, e.g. air
The uses of • Methanol can be used as a chemical 'raw material'
methanol and (starting material for other chemical reactions), in
ethanol antifreeze and in the production of biodiesel.
• Ethanol can be used as a solvent and as a fuel.
A connection Consists of two or more elements in definite relationships
Ground colour The most noticeable characteristic of soil that can be most
easily determined
Suspensions Heterogeneous mixtures containing solid particles large
enough for sedimentation.
G-horizon A soil horizon that shows signs of reduction under waterlogged
conditions and has a dull soil colour that reflects permanent
waterlogged conditions
White brackish soil White brackish soil usually has a pH higher than 8.5.
Carbon dioxide An agent that is not responsible for aggregation of soil
particles.
Flocculation To gather or group together
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
