PPSC Past Paper 2024

PowerPoint is a tool used to make Presentation. Microsoft PowerPoint is a widely recognized application within the Microsoft Office suite, specifically designed for creating and delivering dynamic slideshows. Its core functionality revolves around enabling users to combine text, images, audio, video, and charts into a cohesive sequence of slides to effectively convey information to an audience.

• While PowerPoint is a Software (B), its specific purpose is not to create other software.
• PowerPoint can incorporate and offer basic editing for Graphics (C), but it is not a dedicated graphics design program like Adobe Photoshop.
• Similarly, PowerPoint can create and display Charts (D), but charts are merely one component that can be included within a larger presentation, not the sole output or primary function of the tool.

The Basic Democracies System was a four-tiered system of local self-government introduced in Pakistan, designed to decentralize administration and serve as an electoral college. The correct answer is Ayub Khan. Field Marshal Ayub Khan, during his military rule, introduced this system in 1959. It aimed to involve local populations in governance and was also used to elect the President and members of the National and Provincial Assemblies, consolidating his power.

• Liaqat Ali Khan was the first Prime Minister and was assassinated in 1951, predating this system.
• Yahya Khan succeeded Ayub Khan but did not introduce Basic Democracies.
• Pervaiz Musharraf introduced a different local government system in 2000, not the Basic Democracies.

Miami Beach is a world-renowned coastal city and resort destination located in the southeastern part of the US state of Florida. It is situated on a barrier island, connected to mainland Miami by several bridges, and is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and distinctive Art Deco architecture. Its warm climate and ocean access make it a popular tourist spot.

• Texas is incorrect; it is a large southern state with its own coastline on the Gulf of Mexico, but Miami Beach is not there.
• California is incorrect; it is a western state known for its Pacific coastline, but Miami Beach is on the Atlantic side.
• Washington is incorrect; it is a northwestern state, far from the subtropical climate and location of Miami Beach.

The AutoContent Wizard feature in PowerPoint (found in older versions, with similar functionalities in newer templates) allowed the user to Spend less time creating a simple presentation. This wizard guided users through a series of questions about the presentation's purpose and audience, then automatically generated a basic presentation structure with suggested content outlines and slide layouts. Its primary goal was to provide a quick starting point, streamlining the initial creation process.

• While PowerPoint supports Animation (B) and offers various Color Schemes (C), these were separate features. The AutoContent Wizard focused on content structure, not applying animations or solely defining color palettes.
• The Chart Wizard (D) is a distinct tool used specifically for creating and customizing charts, not for generating an entire presentation outline.
• Therefore, the wizard's main benefit was efficiency in content generation.

General Zia ul Haq tragically died in a plane crash on August 17, 1988. According to the Pakistani constitution, in the event of the President's death, the Chairman of the Senate assumes the office of President. The correct answer is Ghulam Ishaq Khan. At the time of Zia's death, Ghulam Ishaq Khan was serving as the Chairman of the Senate, and thus constitutionally stepped in as the acting President of Pakistan. He subsequently oversaw the general elections later that year.

• Muhammad Khan Junejo was the Prime Minister under Zia ul Haq but had been dismissed earlier in 1988.
• Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari became President much later, in 1993.

The smallest continent in the world by both land area and population is Australia. It is unique in that it is a continent, a country, and a large island all in one. Its landmass is significantly smaller compared to the other six continents, making it distinct in its geographical scale.

• Asia is incorrect; it is the largest continent in the world, covering approximately 30% of Earth's land area.
• Europe is incorrect; while it is the second smallest continent, it is still larger than Australia in terms of landmass.
• North America is incorrect; it is the third largest continent, considerably larger than Australia.

The shortcut key Ctrl+F2 is widely used in many applications, including Microsoft Word, to access the Print Preview function. This feature allows users to visualize exactly how a document will appear when printed, enabling them to check for formatting issues, page breaks, and overall layout before committing to printing. This helps save paper and ink by identifying errors beforehand.

• Ctrl+F2 is the correct shortcut for Print Preview.
• Ctrl+F3 is often associated with the 'Spike' feature in Word, which allows cutting multiple items to paste them as a group.
• Ctrl+F9 is used to insert an empty field code in Word, which is a placeholder for dynamic content.
• Ctrl+F10 is typically used to maximize or restore a window in many Windows applications, not for print preview.

Understanding these shortcuts enhances efficiency in document preparation.

The Kashmir dispute emerged immediately after the partition of British India in 1947, leading to the First Indo-Pakistani War. The correct answer is 1948. India formally took the Kashmir dispute to the United Nations Security Council on January 1, 1948. India sought the UN's intervention to resolve the conflict with Pakistan over the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which had become a flashpoint between the newly independent nations.

• 1947 was the year of partition and the beginning of the conflict, but the formal appeal to the UN occurred the following year.
• 1955 and 1973 are incorrect as they represent later periods in the dispute's history or other significant events, not the initial UN appeal.

The second highest mountain in the world is K2, also known as Mount Godwin Austen, standing at an elevation of 8,611 meters (28,251 feet). K2 is located in the Karakoram mountain range, specifically on the border between Pakistan and China. However, its most accessible and frequently used routes, including the primary base camps for climbers, are situated within Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region, making Pakistan the most appropriate answer for its location.

• India is incorrect; while it has high peaks, K2 is not primarily located within its borders.
• Nepal is incorrect; it is home to Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, but not K2.
• China is partially correct as K2 is on its border with Pakistan, but Pakistan is often cited as the country where it is predominantly located or accessed.

In Microsoft PowerPoint, the F5 key is the standard and most direct shortcut to initiate a slideshow. When pressed, it starts the presentation from the very first slide, allowing the presenter to begin their delivery immediately. This function is crucial for presenting content to an audience in a full-screen, dynamic format.

• F5 is the correct key to start a slideshow from the beginning.
• F6 is generally used to move between panes in a program window, such as cycling through the ribbon, document, and status bar in Word, and does not control slideshows.
• F8 is commonly associated with booting Windows into Safe Mode or extending a selection in Word, and has no function for starting a PowerPoint slideshow.
• Therefore, 'None of these' is incorrect as F5 is the designated key.

Knowing this shortcut is fundamental for efficient PowerPoint usage.

The tragic attack in 2021 on a school in Afghanistan specifically targeted Sayed Ul-Shuhada High School in Kabul. This devastating bombing occurred in May 2021, primarily affecting female students leaving the school, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. The incident drew widespread international condemnation, highlighting the ongoing violence and insecurity in the region.

Regarding the incorrect options:

• Afghan Yaar High School, Abdul Hadi Dawi High School, and Amani High School are not associated with this particular 2021 bombing incident. While they may be educational institutions in Afghanistan, they were not the specific target of the attack referenced in the question. The Sayed Ul-Shuhada High School attack remains a significant and tragic event from that year.

China is currently the largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas in the world. This status is primarily due to its vast industrial output, large population, and significant reliance on coal as a primary energy source. Rapid economic growth and urbanization over recent decades have propelled China to the forefront of global CO2 emissions.

• India is incorrect; while it is a major emitter and its emissions are rising, it ranks below China and the USA in total CO2 emissions.
• USA is incorrect; historically a top emitter, the USA has been surpassed by China, though it remains one of the largest contributors globally.
• Russia is incorrect; it is a significant emitter, but its total CO2 emissions are considerably lower than those of China and the USA.

To access powerful centralized computing systems like mainframes or supercomputers, users typically interact through a terminal. A terminal acts as an input/output device or software application that connects to the main computer, allowing users to send commands and receive data. It provides the interface for remote interaction without requiring the user to be physically present at the mainframe itself.

• A Terminal is the correct answer, serving as the interface for remote access.
• A Node refers to any device connected to a network, but it's not the specific user interface for accessing a mainframe.
• A Desktop computer is a personal computer, which might run terminal emulation software, but it is not the terminal itself in the context of direct access.
• A Handheld device, like a smartphone, is generally not used for direct, robust interaction with mainframes due to its limited capabilities compared to a dedicated terminal or desktop running emulation.

Terminals are essential for distributed computing environments.

The First Battle of Panipat, fought in 1526, was a pivotal moment in Indian history, marking the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the beginning of the Mughal Empire. Ibrahim Lodhi, the last ruler of the Lodhi dynasty, was decisively defeated by Babar (Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babar), the founder of the Mughal Empire. Babar's superior military tactics, including the use of gunpowder artillery, played a crucial role in his victory.

The other options are incorrect:

• Akbar and Jahangir were later Mughal emperors, Babar's grandson and great-grandson, respectively.
• Iltutmish was a prominent ruler of the Mamluk (Slave) dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, reigning much earlier in the 13th century.

The region in the ocean where there is a rapid increase in density with increasing depth is called the pycnocline. This layer is crucial for ocean stratification, as it acts as a barrier to vertical mixing. The density changes within the pycnocline are primarily driven by variations in temperature (forming a thermocline) and/or salinity (forming a halocline).

• Pressure is incorrect; while pressure increases with depth, it is not the term for the region of rapidly increasing density.
• Phytoplankton is incorrect; these are microscopic marine plants, not a specific layer defined by density changes.
• Salinity is incorrect; while salinity is a factor that influences water density, it is not the name of the specific region of rapid density change itself.

In Microsoft PowerPoint, the Outline View is specifically designed to display only the textual content of your presentation. This view presents the titles and main bullet points of each slide in a hierarchical, outline format, without showing any graphics, images, or design elements. It is an invaluable tool for organizing thoughts, structuring the flow of your presentation, and editing text efficiently.

• Outline View is the correct answer, focusing purely on text content.
• Slide Sorter View displays miniature versions of all slides, primarily for reordering and organizing, not for text editing.
• Notes Page View shows one slide at a time along with its associated speaker notes, including visual elements.
• Slide Show is the full-screen presentation mode, used for delivery, not for editing or viewing text outlines.

Outline View helps ensure logical content progression.

Dars-e-Nizami is a famous Islamic curriculum developed by Mulla Nizamuddin Sihalvi of Farangi Mahal, Lucknow. Although the curriculum was formally organized in the early 18th century after the death of Emperor Aurangzeb, its origins are closely associated with his reign because Aurangzeb patronized Islamic education and granted the Farangi Mahal to the Sihalvi family.

For this reason, many competitive examinations and GK books consider "Aurangzeb" as the expected answer, even though the curriculum was finalized shortly after his reign.

Correct Answer (Exam Perspective): Aurangzeb

Vestigial organs are structures in organisms that have lost most or all of their original function through evolution, serving as remnants of ancestral traits. The question asks which option is NOT a vestigial organ.

The correct answer is Eyelids. Eyelids are fully functional and essential for protecting the eye from foreign objects, keeping it moist, and regulating light exposure. They play a vital role in maintaining eye health and vision, thus they are not vestigial.

Conversely, the other options are considered vestigial: Wisdom Teeth (A) often cause problems due to lack of space and reduced chewing function in modern diets. The Pinna (B), or external ear, has minimal functional significance in humans compared to many animals. The Vermiform Appendix (D) is a small, finger-shaped pouch whose primary function in humans is largely lost or debated, and it can be removed without significant adverse effects.

This question is a straightforward assessment of understanding passing criteria. The student scored 80% in English and 85% in Math. The passing percentage for each subject is stated as 75%. Since both scores (80% and 85%) are individually higher than the required 75% passing mark, the student has successfully passed both subjects.

• The student scored 80% in English, which is greater than 75%.
• The student scored 85% in Math, which is also greater than 75%.
• Since the student passed both subjects, there is no failure.
• Therefore, the percentage of failure is 0%.

The other options (6%, 7%, 8%) would imply some form of failure or miscalculation, which is not the case here. The question does not suggest an average passing score or any other complex criteria.

The question asks for the real name of a renowned Sufi saint. Usman Marwandi is the birth name of the revered Sufi saint and philosopher, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. Born in Marwand, Afghanistan, he later settled in Sehwan Sharif, Sindh (present-day Pakistan), where his shrine attracts millions of devotees annually. He was a prominent figure of the Suhrawardiyya order.

The other options are incorrect:

• Bulleh Shah was a Punjabi Sufi poet whose real name was Abdullah Shah.
• Ali Hajveri is famously known as Data Ganj Bakhsh, and his full name was Abul Hasan Ali Hujwiri.

The term cropping refers to a specific editing technique used to modify visual content. Understanding its application is key to answering this question.

The correct answer is Image. Cropping is the process of removing unwanted outer areas from a photograph or illustrative image. This technique is commonly employed to improve composition, eliminate distracting elements, or adjust the image to fit specific dimensions or aspect ratios. It directly manipulates the visual boundaries of an image.

The other options are incorrect because: Document (B) refers to a broader category of files, and while a document might contain images, cropping applies to the image content itself, not the document's overall structure. File (C) is a generic term for any data stored on a computer; cropping is a specific operation on the *content* of an image file, not a general file manipulation. Therefore, 'None of these' (D) is also incorrect.

This problem involves similar triangles, a fundamental concept in geometry. When objects cast shadows under similar conditions, the ratio of an object's height to its shadow length remains constant because the angle of elevation of the sun is the same for both. We can set up a proportion to find the unknown height.

• First, calculate the ratio for the flagstaff: Height / Shadow = 17.5 m / 40.25 m = 0.43478...
• Next, apply this same ratio to the building: Building Height / 28.75 m = 0.43478...
• Solving for Building Height: 0.43478... * 28.75 m = 12.5 m.

Alternatively, using a direct proportion: 17.5 / 40.25 = H / 28.75. Cross-multiplying gives H = (17.5 * 28.75) / 40.25 = 503.125 / 40.25 = 12.5 m. Distractors A, C, and D represent incorrect calculations or misinterpretations of the problem, such as using the flagstaff's height directly (C) instead of calculating the building's height based on the established ratio.

World Thalassemia Day is annually observed on May 8th. This significant day is dedicated to raising global awareness about thalassemia, a group of inherited blood disorders that reduce the production of hemoglobin. The observance aims to educate the public about the disease, its symptoms, prevention, and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for affected individuals. It also serves to honor the struggles of patients and their families worldwide.

Option C, 8 May, is correct as it is the internationally recognized date for this important health awareness day. Options A (6 May), B (7 May), and D (9 May) are incorrect dates. While these days might hold other significances, they are not associated with the observance of World Thalassemia Day, which consistently falls on the eighth day of May each year to foster support and understanding for those living with thalassemia.

The book Emergence of Pakistan is a significant historical account detailing the events and processes that led to the creation of Pakistan. This seminal work was authored by Chaudhry Muhammad Ali. As a key figure in the Pakistan Movement and later the country's fourth Prime Minister, Ali provided an invaluable insider's perspective on the political negotiations, challenges, and decisions that shaped the new nation.

The other options are incorrect:

• K.K. Aziz was a distinguished historian who wrote other notable works like The Making of Pakistan.
• Ayesha Jalal is known for her influential book The Sole Spokesman.
• Stanley Wolpert is an American historian famous for biographies of Jinnah and Gandhi.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) provides a structured way to define headings on a webpage, indicating their hierarchical importance and typically their visual size. There are six predefined heading levels.

The correct answer is h6. In HTML, heading tags range from <h1> to <h6>. The <h1> tag represents the most important heading, which is typically displayed in the largest font size by default. As the number increases, the heading's importance and its default font size decrease. Therefore, <h6> is designated for the least important heading, and consequently, it is rendered as the smallest size heading by default.

The other options are incorrect: <h1> (A) is for the largest heading, <h2> (B) is for the second largest, and <h4> (C) is for a medium-sized heading, all of which are larger than <h6>.