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

The old name of Myanmar is Burma. The country was officially known as the Union of Burma until 1989 when the ruling military junta changed its name to the Union of Myanmar. However, the name Burma is still widely used by many.

• Siam is the historical name for modern-day Thailand.
• Ceylon is the former name of Sri Lanka.
• Malaya refers to the Malay Peninsula, which is a geographical region and part of modern-day Malaysia, not the old name of Myanmar.

The correct answer is Choke the drain. Polythene bags are non-biodegradable materials that do not decompose naturally. When discarded improperly, they accumulate in drainage systems, blocking the flow of water. This blockage, commonly referred to as choking the drain, leads to severe issues such as waterlogging, flooding, and unsanitary conditions, especially during rainfall.

• Protect the drain is incorrect because polythene bags cause harm, not protection.
• Remove the drain is false; they block, rather than remove, the drainage infrastructure.
• Clean the drain is also incorrect as they introduce waste and obstruct cleanliness.

The correct answer is 81%. This question refers to a specific projection or report regarding Pakistan's weapon imports for the year 2025. According to various defense analyses and reports on global arms trade, Pakistan is projected to import a significant percentage of its weapons, with 81% being the specific figure cited in certain contexts for that period.

• The options 65%, 20%, and 10% are incorrect figures for the projected weapon imports by Pakistan in 2025, based on the specific data point this question references.

The correct answer is All of these. An NGO, or Non-Governmental Organization, is a diverse entity that operates independently of government influence to address a wide array of public concerns. Their work commonly spans across various critical sectors, including social causes (e.g., poverty alleviation, education), environmental causes (e.g., conservation, climate action), and humanitarian causes (e.g., disaster relief, human rights).

• Options like Social causes, Environmental causes, or Humanitarian causes individually are too narrow, as NGOs typically engage in multiple interconnected areas to achieve their missions.

The correct answer is Decline in cryptocurrency. The term "Crypto Winter" refers to a prolonged period in the cryptocurrency market characterized by significantly falling prices, reduced trading volumes, and a general loss of investor confidence. It is analogous to a bear market in traditional financial markets, where assets experience a sustained downturn.

• Boost in cryptocurrency is the opposite of a crypto winter.
• A regulatory crackdown can be a contributing factor to a decline but is not the definition of "Crypto Winter" itself.
• None of these is incorrect as "Decline in cryptocurrency" accurately defines the term.

The correct answer is the Mauryan Era. The Dharmajika Stupa, a prominent Buddhist monument located in Taxila, Pakistan, is historically attributed to the Mauryan Empire. It is widely believed to have been originally constructed during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, a significant patron of Buddhism, who ruled during the Mauryan period (c. 322–185 BCE).

• The Achaemenid Era predates the stupa's construction.
• The Greek Era (Indo-Greek kingdoms) and Kushan Era followed the Mauryan period, with later additions or renovations to the stupa, but not its initial building.

The correct answer is 31-May-18. President Mamnoon Hussain signed the 25th Constitutional Amendment Bill into law on May 31, 2018. This landmark legislation officially merged the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), integrating the region into Pakistan's mainstream political and administrative structure.

• The dates 28-May-18, 29-May-18, and 30-May-18 are incorrect as the bill was signed on the last day of May 2018, marking a significant constitutional change.

The phrase Sat Sri Akal is a fundamental greeting in Sikhism, meaning "Truth is the eternal God."

• The correct option, Truth is the eternal God, accurately reflects the spiritual essence and literal translation of this sacred salutation, emphasizing the timeless nature of truth and divinity in Sikh philosophy.
• Option A, "God is great," is a common religious phrase but not the precise meaning of Sat Sri Akal.
• Option C, "Victory to the king," is unrelated to the spiritual context of the greeting.
• Option D, "None of these," is incorrect because the correct meaning is provided.

This greeting encapsulates a core tenet of Sikh faith, acknowledging the ultimate reality of truth.

Venice is famously known as the "Bride of the Sea" due to its unique geographical relationship with the Adriatic Sea and its historical maritime power.

• The correct option, Venice, earned this romantic moniker because of its annual "Marriage of the Sea" ceremony, symbolizing its dominion over the waters and its reliance on the sea for prosperity and defense.
• Option B, "Amsterdam," is known for its canals but not this specific title.
• Option C, "Mumbai," is a major port city but lacks the historical and ceremonial association.
• Option D, "Istanbul," while historically significant for its maritime location, is not traditionally called the "Bride of the Sea."

This title highlights Venice's profound connection to its aquatic environment.

Farooq Abdullah, a prominent Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, is known for making controversial statements regarding the region's governance.

• The correct option, Farooq Abdullah, indeed made a statement suggesting that Kashmir was running better under China than India, sparking significant debate. This reflects his critical stance on India's handling of Kashmir.
• Option B, "Mehbooba Mufti," another former Chief Minister, has also been critical but is not associated with this specific quote.
• Option C, "Narendra Modi," is the current Prime Minister of India and would not make such a statement.
• Option D, "Burhan Wani," was a militant commander and not a political figure making such policy comparisons.

Abdullah's statement underscored his perspective on regional autonomy and governance.

The book Power Failure is a significant memoir offering insights into Pakistani politics and society.

• The correct option, Syeda Abida Hussain, is the author of "Power Failure: The Political Odyssey of a Pakistani Woman." She is a distinguished Pakistani politician, diplomat, and writer, and her book provides a unique perspective on the country's political landscape.
• Option A, "Fatima Jinnah," was a prominent figure in Pakistan's independence movement but did not author this book.
• Option B, "Benazir Bhutto," a former Prime Minister, wrote her own memoirs, but not "Power Failure."
• Option D, "Hina Rabbani Khar," is a Pakistani politician but is not the author of this specific work.

Hussain's memoir is a valuable contribution to understanding Pakistan's political history.

In the history of medicine, several Muslim scholars made groundbreaking contributions, particularly in surgery.

• The correct option, Al-Zahrawi (also known as Abulcasis), is widely regarded as the "father of modern surgery." His monumental work, Al-Tasrif, was an encyclopedic medical text that included detailed descriptions of surgical instruments and procedures, influencing European medicine for centuries.
• Option A, "Al-Biruni," was a polymath known for his contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and history, not primarily surgery.
• Option B, "Ibn Sina" (Avicenna), was a renowned physician and philosopher, author of The Canon of Medicine, but Al-Zahrawi is more specifically celebrated for surgery.
• Option D, "Aristotle," was an ancient Greek philosopher, not a Muslim surgeon.

Al-Zahrawi's innovations laid foundational surgical practices.

National games often reflect a country's cultural heritage, historical achievements, or widespread popularity in a particular sport.

• The correct option, Hockey (specifically field hockey), is officially recognized as the national game of Pakistan. Pakistan has a rich history in field hockey, having won multiple Olympic gold medals and World Cups, making it a source of national pride.
• Option A, "Cricket," while immensely popular in Pakistan and a major sport, is not officially designated as the national game.
• Option B, "Football," has a growing following but is not the national sport.
• Option D, "Squash," has produced world champions from Pakistan but is also not the national game.

Field hockey's historical success firmly establishes its status as Pakistan's national game.