PPSC Past Papers 2026 Solved

Correct answer: Militant group in Yemen. The Houthis (Ansar Allah) are an armed movement from northern Yemen that controls the capital Sanaa.

Background: They took control of Sanaa in 2014, which began Yemen’s ongoing conflict.

• Terrorist group of Nigeria: The Houthis are not based in Nigeria.
• Ethiopian Organization: The Houthis are not an Ethiopian organization.
• None of these: “None of these” is incorrect because a militant group in Yemen is correct.

Did you know? Since late 2023 they have attacked ships in the Red Sea.

Memory trick: Houthi → Yemen.

Correct answer: Washington. Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia) is the capital of the United States.

Background: The capital is named after George Washington.

• New York: New York is the largest city but not the capital.
• Philadelphia: Philadelphia was the capital from 1790 to 1800.
• Hawaii: Hawaii is a state, not a capital city.

Did you know? Washington, D.C. is not part of any US state.

Memory trick: D.C. = District of Columbia.

Correct answer: Kyiv. Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine.

Background: Kyiv is the Ukrainian spelling and is now commonly used instead of “Kiev”.

• Dnipro: Dnipro is a major city in central-eastern Ukraine.
• Kharkiv: Kharkiv is the second-largest city, in the north-east.
• Odesa: Odesa is a Black Sea port city.

Did you know? It lies on the Dnieper River.

Memory trick: Kyiv = capital, Kharkiv = second city.

Correct answer: United States. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, the United States maintained its position as the world's leading producer of crude oil (averaging over 13 million barrels per day).

Background: US hydraulic fracturing and shale development boosted total output past Russia and Saudi Arabia.

• Russia: Second/third largest producer globally.
• Saudi Arabia: Top global exporter and major producer within OPEC.
• Iran: Major producer but produces lower overall volume due to capacity and sanctions.

Did you know? The US became the top crude oil producer starting around 2018.

Memory trick: Top crude oil producer = United States.

Correct answer: Germany. Germany is not a member; the Five Eyes are the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Background: Germany is a close ally of the Five Eyes countries but is not part of the intelligence-sharing alliance.

• UK: The UK is a founding member.
• USA: The USA is a founding member.
• Australia: Australia is a member.

Did you know? All five members are English-speaking countries.

Memory trick: Eyes: US, UK, CA, AU, NZ.

Correct answer: Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda was formed around 1988 in Afghanistan (and neighbouring Pakistan) by Osama bin Laden and others during the Soviet–Afghan war.

Background: The group grew out of the network that supported the fight against the Soviet Union.

• Saudi Arabia: Bin Laden was born in Saudi Arabia, but the group was formed in Afghanistan.
• Qatar: Qatar was not the place of its formation.
• None of these: “None of these” is incorrect because Afghanistan is correct.

Did you know? “Al-Qaeda” means “the base”.

Memory trick: Al-Qaeda: born in the Afghan war.

Correct answer: 11. Each field hockey team has 11 players on the field, including the goalkeeper.

Background: Substitutions are allowed in hockey, so squads are larger than 11.

• 9: Nine is fewer than the number on the field.
• 12: Twelve is more than the number on the field.
• 13: Thirteen is more than the number on the field.

Did you know? Pakistan is a four-time Hockey World Cup winner.

Memory trick: Hockey = 11, like football.

Correct answer: Five Eyes. The “Five Eyes” alliance shares signals and other intelligence among the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Background: Its roots go back to the 1946 UKUSA Agreement.

• Super Power: “Super Power” is not the name of this alliance.
• Security Threats: “Security Threats” is not the name of this alliance.
• Defense 5: “Defense 5” is not the name of this alliance.

Did you know? The name comes from documents marked “AUS/CAN/NZ/UK/US EYES ONLY”.

Memory trick: Five countries = Five Eyes.