PPSC Past Paper 2024

This analogy question tests the understanding of a creator-creation relationship. A statue is a work of art that is created by a sculptor. The sculptor is the artist responsible for shaping and forming the statue from raw materials.

Following this same creator-creation relationship, a symphony is a complex musical composition. The person responsible for writing and arranging a symphony is a composer. Therefore, the composer is the creator of the symphony. Options A ("Chisel") and B ("Pen") are tools used in creation, not the creators themselves. Option D ("Canvas") is a surface used by a painter, not related to the creation of a symphony.

This question tests subject-verb agreement and the correct use of auxiliary verbs in elliptical clauses. An elliptical clause omits words that are understood from the context, often using an auxiliary verb to stand in for the main verb phrase.

• The correct answer is D: Do. The subject of the second clause is "they," which is a plural pronoun. In the present simple tense, the auxiliary verb "do" is used with plural subjects (I, you, we, they). The sentence implies "they do want to leave early."
• A: Does is incorrect because "does" is used with singular third-person subjects (he, she, it). It does not agree with "they."
• B: Might succeeded is grammatically incorrect. "Might" is a modal verb and must be followed by a base form of the verb (e.g., "might succeed"). "Succeeded" is a past tense form.
• C: Is is incorrect because "is" is a form of the verb "to be" and is used with singular subjects. It does not fit the context of replacing "want to leave early" as an auxiliary verb.

This question assesses the logical connection between two clauses using appropriate conjunctions. The first part, "Martha is very nice," establishes a positive characteristic.

• The correct answer is A: but she is also very strict. The conjunction "but" is used to introduce a contrasting idea or an unexpected element. Being "very nice" and "very strict" are often perceived as contrasting qualities, making "but" the most suitable connector to show this combination of traits.
• B: because she always helps others is plausible but less direct. "Because" introduces a reason. While helping others is a reason for being nice, the phrasing "Martha is very nice because she always helps others" would be more natural if the intent was solely to state the reason. Option A presents a common and grammatically sound contrast.
• C: if she has enough time is incorrect. "If" introduces a condition. Being nice is typically a character trait, not something conditional on having sufficient time, making this an illogical statement.
• D: and she never makes mistakes is incorrect. "And" adds similar or complementary information. While not making mistakes is positive, it doesn't create a strong, natural pairing or contrast with "very nice" in the same way "strict" does.

This question focuses on the correct use of adverbs versus adjectives. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, describing how, when, where, or to what extent an action occurs. Adjectives, conversely, modify nouns or pronouns.

• The correct answer is A: The goalkeeper played well. The word "played" is a verb, describing an action. To describe *how* the goalkeeper performed this action, an adverb is required. "Well" is the adverbial form of the adjective "good" and correctly modifies the verb "played."
• B: The goalkeeper play good is incorrect for two reasons. First, "play" should be in the past tense, "played," to match the context. Second, "good" is an adjective, not an adverb. It cannot modify the verb "play."
• C: The goalkeeper played beautiful is incorrect. "Beautiful" is an adjective. To modify the verb "played," the adverbial form "beautifully" should be used.
• D: Both A & B is incorrect because option B contains grammatical errors.

This question tests knowledge about the administrative location of a significant linguistic institution in Pakistan, the Urdu Lughat Board (Urdu Dictionary Board).

• The correct answer is A: کراچی (Karachi). The head office of the Urdu Lughat Board is indeed located in Karachi, Pakistan. Karachi, being a major metropolitan and cultural hub, has historically been a center for literary and educational activities, making it a fitting location for an institution dedicated to the development and preservation of the Urdu language.
• B: لاہور (Lahore) is incorrect. While Lahore is a prominent cultural and literary city in Pakistan, it is not the primary location of the Urdu Lughat Board's headquarters.
• C: اسلام آباد (Islamabad) is incorrect. Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan, but the Urdu Lughat Board's main office is not situated there.
• D: ان میں سے کوئی نہیں (None of these) is incorrect because Karachi is the accurate location.

This question asks for the meaning of a common Urdu idiom, "رال تپکنا" (Raal Tapakna).

• The correct answer is A: منہ سے پانی آتا (Saliva comes from the mouth / Mouth waters). The idiom "رال تپکنا" literally translates to "saliva dripping" or "mouth watering." It is used to describe a strong desire, craving, or longing for something, typically food, to the extent that one's mouth produces saliva in anticipation. It signifies intense appetite or covetousness.
• B: مشکل نظر آتا (Looks difficult) is incorrect. This phrase means "it appears difficult" and bears no relation to the idiom "رال تپکنا."
• C: التی کرنا (To vomit) is incorrect. This phrase means "to vomit" or "to throw up," which is a completely different physiological action and meaning from "mouth watering."
• D: ان میں سے کوئی نہیں (None of these) is incorrect because option A accurately defines the idiom.

This question tests knowledge about the real name of a renowned Urdu literary figure, Ibn-e-Insha, who, like many writers, used a pen name (takhallus).

• The correct answer is A: شیر محمد خان (Sher Muhammad Khan). The real name of the celebrated Urdu poet, humorist, travelogue writer, and columnist, Ibn-e-Insha, was Sher Muhammad Khan. He adopted "Ibn-e-Insha" as his pen name, under which he achieved widespread fame and made significant contributions to Urdu literature with his distinctive style and wit.
• B: شبیر علی (Shabbir Ali) is incorrect. This is not the real name of Ibn-e-Insha.
• C: محمد الصفر (Muhammad Al-Safar) is incorrect. This is not the real name of Ibn-e-Insha. While "Safar" means travel, and Ibn-e-Insha was famous for his travelogues, this is not his given name.
• D: ان میں سے کوئی نہیں (None of these) is incorrect because option A correctly identifies his real name.

اس جملے میں "ذہین طلبہ" ایک مرکب توصیفی ہے۔ مرکب توصیفی دو یا دو سے زیادہ الفاظ کا ایسا مجموعہ ہوتا ہے جس میں ایک لفظ (صفت) دوسرے لفظ (موصوف یا اسم) کی خوبی یا خامی بیان کرتا ہے۔ یہاں "ذہین" صفت ہے جو "طلبہ" (اسم) کی صفت بیان کر رہی ہے کہ وہ ذہین ہے۔

• فعل (A) غلط ہے کیونکہ فعل کسی کام کا کرنا یا ہونا ظاہر کرتا ہے، جیسے 'پڑھنا' یا 'لکھنا'۔
• مرکب عطفی (B) غلط ہے کیونکہ مرکب عطفی میں دو اسموں یا صفتوں کو حرف عطف (جیسے 'اور') سے ملایا جاتا ہے، مثلاً 'دن اور رات'۔
• اسم (D) غلط ہے کیونکہ "ذہین طلبہ" صرف ایک اسم نہیں بلکہ ایک صفت اور اسم کا مجموعہ ہے۔

اردو ادب میں مولوی نذیر احمد کو اردو کا پہلا ناول نگار تسلیم کیا جاتا ہے۔ انہوں نے 1869 میں اپنا پہلا ناول "مراۃ العروس" لکھا، جسے اردو کا پہلا مکمل ناول مانا جاتا ہے۔ ان کے ناولوں کا مقصد معاشرتی اصلاح اور اخلاقی تعلیم دینا تھا۔

• مرزا اسد اللہ خان غالب (A) اردو کے عظیم شاعر تھے، لیکن وہ ناول نگار نہیں تھے۔ ان کا کمال شاعری اور خطوط نگاری میں تھا۔
• میر تقی میر (B) اردو کے کلاسیکی شاعروں میں سے ہیں اور انہیں 'خدائے سخن' کہا جاتا ہے، لیکن وہ ناول نگاری کے دور سے بہت پہلے گزرے تھے۔
• ان میں سے کوئی نہیں (D) غلط ہے کیونکہ مولوی نذیر احمد ہی درست جواب ہیں۔

The Lucknow Pact was a historic agreement forged in December 1916 between the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League. This significant pact marked a period of Hindu-Muslim unity, where both major political parties of British India agreed to present a joint set of demands to the British government for constitutional reforms. Key aspects included the acceptance of separate electorates for Muslims by the Congress and a common platform for self-government.

Option A, All India Muslim League, is the correct answer. This alliance was crucial for strengthening the nationalist movement. Option B, Awami League, is incorrect as it was founded much later in 1949 in East Pakistan. Option C, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is also incorrect; it was established in 1980, long after the Lucknow Pact. Therefore, the Lucknow Pact stands as a testament to early 20th-century political cooperation between the two dominant Indian political entities against colonial rule.

The question asks about the language of poetry of Ustad Daman. Ustad Daman, whose real name was Chiragh Din, was a highly respected and influential poet from Punjab, Pakistan.

• Ustad Daman was primarily a Punjabi poet. He was renowned for his powerful and often satirical verses that reflected the social and political realities of his time. His work is a significant part of Punjabi literature, making option B the correct answer.
• While Urdu is a national language of Pakistan and widely spoken, it was not Ustad Daman's primary language of poetic expression.
• Persian was historically a court language in the region but not the language Ustad Daman chose for his poetry.
• Pushto is spoken in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and parts of Afghanistan, distinct from the Punjabi-speaking region where Daman lived and composed.

His contributions to Punjabi poetry are widely celebrated.

The default page setup orientation of slides in PowerPoint is Landscape. This orientation means the slide is wider than it is tall. PowerPoint is primarily used for presentations, which are typically displayed on screens or projectors. A landscape layout maximizes the usable screen area, making it ideal for displaying text, images, and charts clearly to an audience, thus enhancing readability and visual impact.

• Portrait (B) and Vertical (C) orientations, which are taller than they are wide, are commonly used for documents like letters or reports. However, they would make presentation slides appear narrow and tall, leading to inefficient use of screen space and potentially making content harder to view during a presentation.
• None of these (D) is incorrect because Landscape is indeed the standard default.

This question tests vocabulary and understanding of common idioms. The phrase "A burnt child ______ the fire" is a well-known proverb, meaning that someone who has had a painful or unpleasant experience will be cautious or fearful of similar situations in the future.

• The correct word to complete this idiom is Dreads. "Dreads" means to anticipate with great apprehension or fear. A child who has been burned by fire will naturally fear it.
• Flame (A) is a noun referring to the visible gaseous part of a fire; it does not fit grammatically or semantically as a verb here.
• Destroy (C) is a verb meaning to ruin or put an end to something. While one might want to destroy a fire, the idiom refers to the child's emotional reaction, not an action against the fire itself.
• Afraid (D) is an adjective, meaning feeling fear or apprehension. The sentence structure requires a verb, not an adjective. To use "afraid," the sentence would need to be "A burnt child is afraid of the fire."

Therefore, "dreads" is the only word that correctly completes the idiom and fits the grammatical structure and meaning of the sentence.

The Tarbela Dam, a monumental engineering feat and one of the world's largest earth-filled dams, was completed in 1976. Located on the Indus River in Pakistan, its construction began in 1968 as part of the Indus Basin Project. The dam is vital for Pakistan's economy, providing extensive irrigation for agricultural lands and generating a significant portion of the country's hydroelectric power.

Option D, 1976, is the correct year for the completion of the Tarbela Dam, marking the culmination of years of intensive construction work. Options A (1972), B (1974), and C (1975) are incorrect. While these years fall within the dam's construction period, they do not represent its final completion date. The dam's full operational status and formal inauguration occurred in 1976, making it a cornerstone of Pakistan's water and energy infrastructure since then.

The question concerns the specific conflict where Pakistan utilized the Stinger missile. The Stinger missile is a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) known for its effectiveness against low-flying aircraft.

• Pakistan played a crucial role in the Afghan War (specifically the Soviet-Afghan War from 1979-1989) by supporting the Afghan Mujahideen. The United States supplied Stinger missiles to the Mujahideen through Pakistan, which proved highly effective against Soviet helicopters and aircraft. This significantly impacted the course of the war, making option B the correct answer.
• Pakistan was not directly involved in any Israel War where Stinger missiles would have been deployed.
• While Pakistan has fought several Indian Wars, the prominent and widely documented use of Stinger missiles by Pakistan or its allies was not in these conflicts.

The Stinger's deployment in the Afghan War is a well-known historical fact.

The most fundamental unit of information in a digital system is the Bit. A bit, short for binary digit, represents the smallest piece of data in computing and can only have one of two values: 0 or 1. All digital information, from complex programs to simple text, is ultimately stored and processed as sequences of bits.

• A Byte (B) is a collection of 8 bits. While a very common unit for measuring data, it is composed of multiple bits and therefore not the most fundamental.
• A Kilobyte (C) is approximately 1,024 bytes, representing a much larger quantity of information.
• A Gigabyte (D) is an even larger unit, roughly 1,024 megabytes, or billions of bits. These larger units are used to quantify significant amounts of data storage or memory, but they are all built upon the foundational bit.

The question tests vocabulary, specifically the most appropriate verb to convey causing suffering. The correct answer is Inflict.

• Inflict means to cause something unpleasant or painful to be suffered by someone or something. It perfectly fits the context of causing pain to a weak and poor person, implying a deliberate act of harm.
• Put is too general; one might 'put a burden' but not 'put pain' in this idiomatic sense.
• Direct means to aim or guide, or to give instructions, which does not align with causing pain.
• Force implies making someone do something against their will or applying physical strength. While pain can be forced, 'inflict' is the more precise and idiomatic verb for causing suffering or injury.

General Zia ul Haq imposed martial law in Pakistan in July 1977, following the overthrow of Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. He ruled as Chief Martial Law Administrator and later as President for over a decade. The correct answer is Zia ul Haq because he himself lifted martial law on December 30, 1985, while retaining his presidential powers and introducing significant constitutional amendments. This move transitioned Pakistan from direct military rule to a civilian government under his continued presidency.

• Yahya Khan imposed martial law in 1969 and lifted it in 1971.
• Sikandar Mirza was Pakistan's first President but was removed in 1958 and had no role in 1985.
• Pervaiz Musharraf imposed martial law in 1999 and lifted it in 2002.

The question asks about a specific Pakistani-American Girl Scout recognized by US President Donald Trump for her efforts against Coronavirus.

• Laila Khan, a Pakistani-American Girl Scout from Virginia, received an award from then-President Donald Trump in 2020. She was honored for her remarkable efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for donating 100,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to frontline workers and food banks. This makes option B the correct answer.
• Emma C and Bakhtawar Khan are not the individuals who received this specific recognition from President Trump for their COVID-19 related efforts as a Girl Scout.

Laila Khan's initiative highlighted community spirit and generosity during a challenging global health crisis, earning her national recognition.

An application program that allows a user to set page numbers and spell check a document is known as a Word Processor. Word processors, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, are specifically designed for creating, editing, formatting, and printing text-based documents. They offer a comprehensive suite of tools including spell check, grammar check, page numbering, text formatting, and layout options to produce professional documents.

• Outlook Processor (B) is incorrect; Outlook is primarily an email client and personal information manager, not a document creation tool.
• Notepad (C) is a very basic text editor that handles plain text files. It lacks advanced features like spell checking, page numbering, or rich text formatting.
• None of these (D) is incorrect because 'Word Processor' accurately describes the application.

The correct answer is Fatima Jinnah, who is widely revered as the 'Madar-e-Millat' or 'Mother of the Nation' of Pakistan. She was the younger sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, and played a crucial role alongside him in the Pakistan Movement. Her unwavering support, political activism, and advocacy for women's rights earned her this esteemed title, symbolizing her profound contribution to the nation's creation and early development.

• Raana Liaquat Ali Khan, wife of Pakistan's first Prime Minister, was a prominent social worker but not known by this specific title.
• Shaista Ikramullah was a notable politician and diplomat, but not the 'Mother of the Nation'.
• Benazir Bhutto was the first female Prime Minister, a significant political figure, but not given this title.

The question describes a specific tidal pattern: two high tides and two low tides each day. Tides are primarily caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on Earth's oceans.

• This pattern is characteristic of a Semi-diurnal Tide. In a semi-diurnal tidal cycle, there are two high tides and two low tides of approximately equal height within a lunar day (about 24 hours and 50 minutes). This is the most common tidal pattern globally, making option A correct.
• A Spring Tide refers to exceptionally high and low tides that occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned, not the daily frequency of tides.
• A Mixed Tide also has two high and two low tides daily, but they differ significantly in height.
• A Diurnal Tide features only one high tide and one low tide per day.

Understanding these classifications helps in predicting and analyzing tidal behavior in different oceanic regions.

Process synchronization, which ensures that multiple processes or threads access shared resources without conflicts, can be done on Both hardware and software levels. This is crucial in operating systems to prevent race conditions and maintain data consistency. Hardware-level support includes specialized CPU instructions (e.g., TestAndSet, CompareAndSwap) that provide atomic operations, ensuring that a sequence of operations completes without interruption.

• Software-level (B) mechanisms, such as semaphores, mutexes, and monitors, are programming constructs that allow developers to control access to critical sections of code. These software solutions often rely on underlying hardware support for their atomic primitives or are implemented entirely in software.
• Therefore, stating only Hardware level (A) or only Software level (B) is incomplete, as a robust synchronization strategy typically involves a combination of both.
• None of these (D) is incorrect.

The Lahore Resolution, passed on March 23, 1940, was a pivotal moment in the struggle for Pakistan, demanding a separate homeland for Muslims in British India. The correct answer is Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. As the President of the All-India Muslim League, he delivered the momentous presidential address at the annual session in Lahore. His speech eloquently articulated the Two-Nation Theory and the necessity for an independent Muslim state, laying the ideological foundation for Pakistan.

• Liaqat Ali Khan was a key leader but did not give the presidential address.
• A.K. Fazal-ul-Haq moved the resolution itself, but did not deliver the presidential address.
• Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar was a prominent leader of the Khilafat Movement who passed away in 1931, long before the Lahore Resolution.

Zhob and Kolachi are rivers located in Balochistan. The Zhob River originates in northern Balochistan and flows toward the Gomal River, while the Kolachi River is also situated within the province.

These rivers are frequently asked about in Pakistan Studies and General Knowledge examinations.

Correct Answer: Baluchistan