General Knowledge MCQs for PPSC, FPSC & Competitive Exams (Free PDF)

Mawsynram, India, holds the Guinness World Record for the highest average annual rainfall, making it the rainiest place globally.

Frank Roosevelt, the 32nd U.S. President, is credited with coining the term "United Nations" in 1942, which later became the name of the international organization.

While Croatia was the newest member when it joined on 1 January 2023, it has since been surpassed. The current newest member of the Eurozone is Bulgaria, which joined on 1 January 2026.

Verification & Timeline

• Bulgaria (2026): Bulgaria officially adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, becoming the 21st member of the euro area[reference:2][reference:3][reference:4]. This makes it the most recent country to join the Eurozone[reference:5][reference:6].
• Croatia (2023): Croatia joined earlier, on 1 January 2023, as the 20th member[reference:7][reference:8]. At that time, it was the newest member, but that is no longer the case.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

• Lithuania (Option 1): Lithuania joined the Eurozone on 1 January 2015, well before both Croatia and Bulgaria.
• Bulgaria (Option 2): This is the correct answer, as Bulgaria is the newest member as of 2026.
• Cyprus (Option 4): Cyprus has been a Eurozone member since 1 January 2008.

Hence, the correct answer is Bulgaria

The North Atlantic Treaty, which established NATO, was signed in Washington D.C. on April 4, 1949, by twelve founding member countries.

The first modern Olympic Games, held in Athens in 1896, saw athletes from 14 different nations participate, marking a significant international sporting event.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was founded in Rabat, Morocco, in September 1969, following the arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Jordan was historically known as Transjordan, officially the Emirate of Transjordan, before gaining full independence and adopting its current name.

Japan's national anthem, "Kimigayo," is widely recognized as the world's oldest, with lyrics dating back to the Heian period.

The Pearl River, also known as Zhujiang, is a vast river system located in southern China, flowing into the South China Sea.

The period from 1649 to 1660 in English history is known as the Commonwealth period, following the execution of King Charles I.

The International Day of Forests is observed annually on March 21st to raise global awareness about the vital importance of all types of forests.

The permanent Secretariat of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is officially located in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal.

The correct answer is Spain. Spain's national anthem, officially known as the "Marcha Real" (Royal March), is one of only four national anthems in the world that has no official lyrics – the others being Bosnia and Herzegovina, San Marino, and Kosovo[reference:0][reference:1]. The anthem is performed as a purely instrumental piece.

Why the Marcha Real Has No Official Lyrics

The Marcha Real originated as a military march in the 18th century. It first appeared in a 1761 military manual entitled Libro de la Ordenanza de los Toques de Pífanos y Tambores, where it was called the "Marcha Granadera" (March of the Grenadiers)[reference:2]. The melody was declared a "March of Honor" by King Charles III in 1770[reference:3] and gradually became the de facto national anthem during the reign of Queen Isabella II (1833–1868)[reference:4].

Several attempts have been made to add official lyrics over the years – including competitions in 1870 and again in 2007–2008[reference:5][reference:6]. However, none of these efforts succeeded due to political disagreements and a lack of consensus among Spain's diverse regions and political factions[reference:7]. As a result, the anthem remains without any officially recognised words.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

• Chile: Chile's national anthem, "Himno Nacional de Chile," has official lyrics written by Eusebio Lillo.
• Greece: The Greek national anthem, "Hymn to Liberty," has official lyrics and is also the longest national anthem in the world.
• Albania: Albania's national anthem, "Himni i Flamurit," has official lyrics written by Asdreni.

Therefore, Spain is the only country among the options whose national anthem officially has no lyrics, making it the correct answer.

The Atacama Desert in South America is widely recognized as the driest non-polar desert globally, experiencing extremely low rainfall.

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed annually on October 17th to promote awareness and action against global poverty.

Abu Ali Sina, also known as Avicenna, authored "Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb" (The Canon of Medicine), a foundational medical encyclopedia.

The sailfish is widely recognized as the fastest fish in the ocean, capable of reaching speeds up to 68 miles per hour.

Sputnik I, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, was the first artificial Earth satellite, marking the beginning of the Space Age.

The first banknotes in China were called "flying money" (feiqian) because they were light and easily transferable for large transactions.

Samuel Johnson is famously known for compiling "A Dictionary of the English Language" in 1755, a significant contribution to lexicography.

Anaximander, an ancient Greek pre-Socratic philosopher, is widely recognized for creating one of the earliest known maps of the world.

The first season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) officially commenced on February 4, 2016, marking its historic debut.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected President of Liberia in 2005, becoming the first woman to head an African country.

The extensive border separating the United States and Canada is officially recognized and referred to as the International Boundary, making it the correct term.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) has its permanent headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland, serving as its central administrative hub.