PPSC Assistant Past Papers 2026

The correct answer is Good luck. The idiom 'break a leg' is a well‑known theatrical expression used to wish someone good luck before a performance. It originated in the theater where saying 'good luck' was considered bad luck. The phrase does not mean to cause injury, to fall, or to be unfortunate. Therefore, Good luck is the correct meaning.

The correct answer is Adverb. In the phrase \'Water flow down to slope,\' the word \'down\' is an adverb modifying the verb \'flow\' by indicating the direction of the action. It answers the question \'where?\' or \'in what direction?\' A preposition typically connects a noun to another word, a conjunction connects clauses, and an adjective modifies a noun. Since \'down\' modifies the verb \'flow\', it functions as an adverb. Therefore, the correct answer is Adverb.

The correct answer is Mice. The plural of the noun 'mouse' (the animal) is 'mice'. This is an irregular plural form that does not follow the standard '‑s' or '‑es' rule. 'Mouses' is the plural for the computer device, but not for the animal. 'Mouse' is singular, and 'None' is incorrect. Therefore, Mice is the correct plural form.

The correct answer is No sooner had I reached the station than the train left. The phrase 'No sooner' is always followed by an inverted auxiliary verb (had) before the subject (I). The correct structure is: No sooner + had + subject + past participle + than. 'Than' is the correct conjunction to use with 'no sooner' — 'when' is used with 'hardly' or 'scarcely'. Option 2 is incorrect because it lacks inversion. Option 4 incorrectly uses 'when' instead of 'than'. Therefore, the correct sentence is 'No sooner had I reached the station than the train left'.

The correct answer is spilt. The idiom is 'cry over spilt milk', which means to be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed. The correct form is the past participle 'spilt' (or 'spilled' in American English). 'Boil' and 'cry' do not form this idiomatic expression, and 'None' is incorrect. Therefore, 'spilt' is the correct word to complete the idiom.

The correct answer is Fossils: Paleontologist. This is an analogy based on the relationship between a specialist and the object of their study. A geologist studies shale (a type of rock). Similarly, a paleontologist studies fossils. 'Reef: Astrologist' is incorrect because an astrologist studies stars, not reefs. 'Biologist: Plants' has the order reversed. 'Catacombs: Entomologist' is incorrect because an entomologist studies insects, not catacombs. Therefore, 'Fossils: Paleontologist' is the correct analogy.

The correct answer is by. The phrase 'enough to get by' is a common English idiom meaning having just enough ability or resources to manage or survive. In the sentence, 'My Arabic is not so good, but it's enough to get ___,' the correct preposition to complete the idiom is 'by'. 'Along', 'up', and 'with' do not form this standard idiomatic expression. Therefore, 'by' is the correct answer.

The correct answer is with. The phrase 'fed up with' is a fixed English idiom that means tired, bored, or annoyed with something that has been happening for too long. In the sentence, 'Sara must be fed up ______ studying,' the correct preposition is 'with'. 'Of', 'about', and 'from' are not used with 'fed up' in this context. Therefore, 'with' is the correct answer.

The correct answer is Praise. The word 'reproach' means to express disapproval, criticism, or blame towards someone. Its antonym (opposite) is 'praise', which means to express approval, admiration, or commendation. 'Blame' is a synonym of reproach, 'Support' is not a direct antonym, and 'Dishonor' is unrelated. Therefore, Praise is the correct antonym.

The correct answer is to. The phrase 'led to' is a standard English collocation meaning resulted in or caused. In the sentence, 'Such bad habits will led ______ disgrace,' the correct preposition is 'to' because the verb 'lead' takes the preposition 'to' when indicating a consequence. 'At', 'with', and 'in' do not fit this context. Therefore, 'to' is the correct answer.

The correct answer is Noun clause. In the sentence 'I can't tell you why I am late,' the underlined portion 'why I am late' is a noun clause. It functions as the direct object of the verb 'tell' and answers the question 'what?' A noun clause acts as a noun in the sentence, while an adverb modifies a verb, a conjunction connects words or clauses, and an adjective modifies a noun. Therefore, it is a noun clause.

The correct answer is I said to my sibling, 'Do you want to go on a trip?'. In converting a sentence from indirect to direct speech, the reporting verb 'asked' changes to 'said to'. The conjunction 'if' changes to a question mark, and the subject 'you' appears in the question. 'Did you want' is past tense but should match the present tense of the original indirect question. 'He you want' is grammatically incorrect, and 'Were you want' is incorrect verb form. Therefore, the correct direct speech is the one with 'Do you want to go on a trip?'

The correct answer is Affluent. The word 'destitute' means extremely poor or lacking basic necessities. Its antonym (opposite) is 'affluent', which means wealthy or rich. 'Alone' refers to being by oneself, 'Beggar' is a person who begs, and 'Hopeful' means optimistic. None of these are opposites of destitute. Therefore, Affluent is the correct antonym.