BECE JHS
A textile is a cloth. The fibre it is made from decides how it behaves when you wear it, wash it and sew it.
Cotton comes from a plant. It absorbs moisture, feels cool, and creases. It is strong when wet, so it can be washed in water. Linen also comes from a plant, the flax plant. It is strong and cool and creases readily. Wool comes from an animal. It is warm and it absorbs moisture, but hot water and hard rubbing make it shrink and felt. Silk comes from an animal. It is smooth and strong for its weight, and some chemicals and strong sunlight weaken it. Polyester and nylon are made from chemicals. They dry quickly and crease less. They can feel hot, and a hot iron can melt them. Name the source, plant, animal or chemical, and one property. A brand name is not a fibre.
A plain seam joins two pieces of fabric. Place the right sides together, stitch a little in from the edge, and press the seam. A temporary stitch holds the work until the permanent stitch is in. Tacking is temporary: the stitches are long and you remove them. Backstitch is permanent and strong, because each stitch overlaps the one before it. A hem finishes an edge so it does not fray. Tools earn marks when you say the job. A tape measure measures. Fabric shears cut cloth. Small scissors cut thread. Pins hold layers. An iron presses. Washing follows the fibre. Cotton can take water. Wool should not be washed hot or wrung hard.
The Career Technology tips guide asks you to name the tool or the material at the step where it is used. BECE Career Technology tips
Source and property are a pair. "Cotton is from a plant and it absorbs moisture" is a full point. "Cotton is nice" is not. Temporary and permanent stitches are different marks. If you name a stitch, say whether it stays in the garment. Care of the cloth must match the fibre. Washing wool the way you wash cotton is the mistake, not a second method.
These are practice questions in the style of the paper, with a model answer and a mark scheme. They are not a promise of what your paper will ask.
3 marks
(a) State one property of cotton. (1 mark)
(b) State one property of wool that affects how you wash it. (1 mark)
(c) Name one fibre made from chemicals. (1 mark)
(a) Cotton absorbs moisture.
(b) Wool shrinks and felts if it is washed hot or rubbed hard.
(c) Polyester.
2 marks
Distinguish between tacking and backstitch. (2 marks)
Tacking is a temporary stitch with long stitches. You remove it after the permanent stitch is in. Backstitch is a permanent stitch. Each stitch overlaps, so the seam is strong.
3 marks
Describe how to make a plain seam. (3 marks)
Place the right sides of the two pieces together. Stitch a short distance in from the raw edge. Press the seam so it lies flat.
More questions on this topic are inside glearn, marked as you answer, with the reason written out. The first ones need no account.
Practise Career Technology freeCotton, linen, wool and silk come from plants or animals. Polyester and nylon are made from chemicals. The source is the start of the answer. A property, such as how the fibre washes or creases, is the rest.
Tacking holds the layers in place so they do not shift while you machine. It is temporary. You remove it after the permanent stitch is in. Backstitch or a machine stitch is what stays. All BECE Career Technology past questions