PPSC Past Papers & Solved MCQs

Pakistan is a country with diverse geographical features, including vast plains, towering mountains, and arid deserts, distributed across its provinces.

The correct answer is KPK (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). This province is predominantly characterized by its mountainous terrain, including parts of the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Himalayan ranges, along with fertile valleys and plateaus. Unlike other provinces, KPK does not contain any significant desert regions within its boundaries. Its climate and topography are generally more temperate and rugged.

The other options are incorrect because they all contain significant desert areas:

• Punjab is home to the Thal Desert and a large portion of the Cholistan Desert.
• Sindh contains a substantial part of the Thar Desert, as well as the Nara Desert.
• Baluchistan, Pakistan's largest province by area, features several deserts, including the Kharan Desert, Thal Desert, and parts of the Chagai Desert.

The invention of the computer is a complex historical process, but one individual is widely recognized for laying the foundational theoretical framework.

• Charles Babbage is the correct answer. Often referred to as the "Father of the Computer," Babbage was a 19th-century British mathematician and inventor. He conceived the Analytical Engine, a design that incorporated many features of modern computers, including a programmable processing unit, memory, and input/output. Although he couldn't build a fully functional model in his lifetime, his designs were revolutionary.
• Steve Jobs was a co-founder of Apple Inc. and a pioneer in the personal computer revolution and user-friendly interfaces, but he did not invent the computer itself.
• Nikola Tesla was a brilliant inventor and electrical engineer known for his contributions to alternating current (AC) electricity, radio, and robotics, but not for inventing the computer.
• None of these is incorrect because Charles Babbage is indeed recognized for his pivotal role in the computer's conceptual development.

Babbage's work provided the blueprint for future computing machines.

The question asks for the antonym of the word "INVOLVE." An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word. The word "involve" means to include someone or something in an activity, situation, or group, or to cause someone to be concerned with something. Therefore, we are looking for a word that signifies the act of keeping someone or something out.

The correct answer is D: Exclude. To "exclude" means to deny someone access to a place, group, or privilege, or to keep something out. This is the direct opposite of involving or including.

• A: Spread means to extend over a large or increasing area, which is unrelated to the concept of inclusion or exclusion.
• B: Soften means to make or become less hard or harsh, which has no relation to the meaning of "involve."
• C: Worry means to feel or cause to feel anxious or troubled, which is also irrelevant to the antonym of "involve."

The Karakoram mountain range, located in Pakistan, is renowned for hosting some of the world's highest and most challenging peaks, attracting mountaineers globally.

The correct answer is K-2. Peak Godwin Austen is the original name given to K-2, the second-highest mountain in the world, standing at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet). It was named in honor of Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen, a British surveyor who was part of the first expedition to survey the peak in 1856. K-2 is famously known as the 'Savage Mountain' due to its extreme difficulty and high fatality rate for climbers.

The other options are incorrect:

• Mount Everest is the world's highest peak, located in the Himalayas, not the Karakoram, and is not known as Godwin Austen.
• Nanga Parbat is the ninth-highest mountain, also in the Himalayas (Pakistan), and is known as the 'Killer Mountain'.
• Tirich Mir is the highest peak of the Hindu Kush range, located in Pakistan.

Programming languages are formal languages designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. They are used to create software programs.

• Pascal is the correct answer. Pascal is a well-known imperative and procedural programming language, developed by Niklaus Wirth in the late 1960s. It was designed to encourage good programming practices using structured programming and was widely used for teaching computer science and developing software.
• Netscape was a popular web browser and a company that played a significant role in the early development of the World Wide Web, but it is not a programming language.
• Internet Explorer was another prominent web browser developed by Microsoft, used for accessing and viewing websites, not for writing code.
• Windows is an operating system developed by Microsoft. An operating system manages computer hardware and software resources, providing a platform for other applications to run, but it is not a programming language itself.

Therefore, Pascal is the only option that fits the definition of a programming language.

The question asks to match the English proverb "A guilty conscience needs no accuser" with its correct Urdu translation. This proverb implies that a person who has committed a wrong act will often betray their guilt through their actions or words, even without being directly accused.

The correct answer is B: چور کی داڑھی میں تھوکا (Chor ki darhi mein thooka). This Urdu idiom literally translates to "spit in the thief's beard." It signifies that a guilty person will often react defensively or show signs of guilt when an accusation is made, even if it's indirect or general, thus revealing their own culpability. This perfectly captures the essence of the English proverb.

• A: جور کی داڑھی میں تکا (Jor ki darhi mein tukka) is grammatically incorrect and does not form a recognized proverb. "جور" (Jor) means oppression, not thief.
• C: جور چور اکاٹ بڑی (Jor chor akaat bari) is also grammatically incorrect and not a known proverb.
• D: چار آنکھیں چار خبریں (Char aankhen char khabren) translates to "four eyes, four news," which is not a proverb and bears no relation to the concept of guilt.

The River Thames is a fundamental geographical feature of England, flowing through the heart of London and much of Southern England. It is recognized as the longest river entirely within England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom. Its historical and economic significance to England is immense, having served as a vital trade route and a source of inspiration for centuries.

• B: England is the correct answer because the Thames is intrinsically linked to English geography and culture.
• A: France's longest river is the Loire, a completely different waterway.
• C: Italy's longest river is the Po, which flows across northern Italy.
• D: Germany's major rivers include the Rhine and the Elbe, neither of which is the Thames.

Therefore, the Thames is unequivocally the largest river of England.

Email communication uses specific fields to address recipients and manage how they receive and view the message. The "CC" field is a standard part of this system.

• Carbon Copy is the correct answer. The term "CC" stands for Carbon Copy, a legacy term from the days of typewriters where carbon paper was used to create duplicate copies of a document. In email, placing an address in the CC field means that recipient will receive a copy of the email, and their address will be visible to all other recipients in the To, CC, and sometimes even BCC fields (depending on the email client).
• Cereal Communication is a nonsensical phrase and has no relation to email terminology.
• Copy and Cut are common editing functions (for text or objects) in software applications, not an email addressing convention.
• Contact Copy, while involving contacts and copies, is not the recognized or correct abbreviation for the email field.

Understanding email fields like CC and BCC is crucial for professional communication.

The question asks about the title under which Allama Iqbal's poetry from his final period is included. Allama Iqbal was a renowned poet-philosopher whose works are categorized into different collections, each reflecting various phases of his thought and life.

The correct answer is A: ارمغانِ حجاز (Armaghan-e-Hijaz). This collection is indeed Allama Iqbal's last poetic work, published posthumously in 1938, shortly after his death. It contains both Urdu and Persian poetry and reflects his final philosophical thoughts, spiritual journey, and profound longing for Hijaz (the holy land of Mecca and Medina).

• B: جاوید نامہ (Javid Nama) is a long philosophical poem, often called "The Book of Eternity," but it was published in 1932, preceding Armaghan-e-Hijaz.
• C: ضربِ کلیم (Zarb-e-Kaleem) was published in 1936 and is known as "The Staff of Moses," focusing on social and political issues, but it is not his absolute last work.
• D: بانگِ درا (Bang-e-Dra) was his first Urdu poetry collection, published in 1924, representing his early period.

Every sovereign nation has a designated capital city that serves as its seat of government and often its cultural and economic hub. For the South American nation of Colombia, this vital role is played by Bogota.

• B: Bogota is the correct answer. It is the official capital and largest city of Colombia, situated high in the Andes mountains. It is the country's political, economic, administrative, industrial, artistic, cultural, and sports center.
• A: Santiago is the capital city of Chile, a different South American country.
• C: La Paz is one of the two capitals of Bolivia, serving as the administrative capital, while Sucre is the constitutional capital.
• D: None of these is incorrect because Bogota is indeed the capital of Colombia and is listed as an option.

Understanding the capitals of major countries is a basic aspect of world geography.

Keyboards are organized into different sections, each serving a specific purpose. The arrow keys are a distinct group with a primary function.

• Navigation keys is the correct answer. The arrow keys (Up, Down, Left, Right) are specifically designed to move the cursor, scroll through documents, navigate menus, or move between cells in a spreadsheet. They are also commonly referred to as cursor control keys because they control the position of the cursor or selection.
• Function keys are the keys labeled F1 through F12, typically located at the top of the keyboard. Their functions vary depending on the software application being used.
• Alphanumeric keys include all the letter (A-Z) and number (0-9) keys, along with punctuation marks, used for typing text and numerical data.
• Special keys is a broad category that might include many non-alphanumeric keys like Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Enter, etc. While arrow keys are special in their function, "Navigation keys" is the most precise and commonly accepted term for them.

Therefore, the arrow keys are best described as navigation keys due to their primary role in moving around digital interfaces.

اردو قواعد کو بنیادی طور پر پانچ حصوں میں تقسیم کیا جاتا ہے۔ یہ تمام حصے زبان کو صحیح طریقے سے بولنے، پڑھنے اور لکھنے کے بنیادی اصول فراہم کرتے ہیں۔

ان پانچ حصوں کی تفصیل درج ذیل ہے:

• علمِ ہجّا: اردو قواعد کا یہ حصہ حروف تہجی کے صوتی اور تحریری نظام، حرکات و سکنات (زبر، زیر، پیش) اور تلفظ سے متعلق معلومات فراہم کرتا ہے۔
• علمِ صرف: اس حصے میں الفاظ کی ساخت، ان کے روپ بدلنے، واحد سے جمع بنانے اور نئے الفاظ اخذ کرنے کے قوانین سکھائے جاتے ہیں۔
• علمِ نحو: اس حصے میں جملوں کی درست بنت، الفاظ کی ترتیب اور کلمات کے باہمی تعلق کے اصول بیان کیے جاتے ہیں تاکہ مفہوم واضح ہو۔
• علمِ بلاغت: قواعد کے اس حصے کے ذریعے کلام کی لفظی اور معنوی خوبیاں، استعارہ، تشبیہ اور روزمرہ کی گہری باتیں سیکھی جاتی ہیں۔
• علمِ عروض: یہ شاعری کا حصہ ہے، جس میں وزن، بحر، قافیہ اور ردیف کی پہچان کے ذریعے شعر کو قواعد کے پیمانے پر پرکھنا سکھایا جاتا ہے۔

Big Ben is the iconic nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, England. It is one of the most famous landmarks globally, synonymous with the city and the United Kingdom. The clock tower itself is officially known as Elizabeth Tower. Therefore, London is the correct location.

• Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, known for its historic Old Town Square and Charles Bridge, but not Big Ben.
• Budapest is the capital of Hungary, famous for its thermal baths and the Parliament Building, distinct from London's landmarks.
• Bombay (now Mumbai) is a major city in India, a bustling metropolis with its own unique cultural and architectural heritage, entirely separate from European capitals.

The Arya Samaj was a significant Hindu reform movement founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati. Its primary aim was to revive Vedic values and practices, advocating for a return to the original teachings of the Vedas while rejecting idolatry, the caste system, child marriage, and other social evils prevalent in Hinduism at the time.

The correct answer is 1875. Swami Dayananda Saraswati officially established the Arya Samaj on April 10, 1875, in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. This date marks the formal beginning of a movement that profoundly impacted Hindu society and contributed to the Indian nationalist awakening.

The other options are incorrect: 1874, 1877, and 1878 are close but do not correspond to the actual founding year of the Arya Samaj. While the movement gained momentum and expanded its influence in the years following its establishment, its foundational year remains unequivocally 1875.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a deeply rooted ethnic and territorial dispute primarily between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This volatile region, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but historically populated by ethnic Armenians, has been a flashpoint for decades. The conflict escalated into full-scale wars multiple times, most notably in the early 1990s, 2020, and 2023, directly involving the armed forces of both nations. Therefore, Armenia and Azerbaijan is the accurate answer.

• Russia and Ukraine are engaged in a separate, ongoing geopolitical conflict.
• China and India have long-standing border disputes in the Himalayas.
• The conflict between Israel and Palestine is centered in the Middle East, involving complex historical and religious factors.

These are distinct international issues unrelated to Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Constitution of Pakistan, adopted in 1973, is the supreme law of the land, outlining the structure of the government and the rights of its citizens. It clearly defines the roles of various state functionaries, including the President and the Prime Minister.

The correct answer is Article 41. Specifically, Article 41(1) of the 1973 Constitution states, "There shall be a President of Pakistan who shall be the Head of the State and shall represent the unity of the Republic." This article unequivocally establishes the President as the ceremonial head of state, symbolizing national unity, while the Prime Minister serves as the head of government.

The other options are incorrect: Article 370 is not part of Pakistan's 1973 Constitution; it refers to a specific article in the Indian Constitution concerning Jammu and Kashmir. Article 90 of the 1973 Constitution deals with the exercise of executive authority by the Federal Government, not the President's role as head of state. Therefore, "None of these" is also incorrect as Article 41 precisely addresses the question.

The groundbreaking popular science book "A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes" was written by the renowned British theoretical physicist and cosmologist, Stephen Hawking. Published in 1988, the book aimed to explain complex concepts about the universe, such as the Big Bang, black holes, and spacetime, to a general audience. Hawking's ability to simplify intricate scientific theories made the book a global bestseller.

• Jane Goodall is a famous primatologist known for her work with chimpanzees.
• Alan Guth is a theoretical physicist who proposed the theory of cosmic inflation, but did not write this specific book.
• James Watson is a molecular biologist, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA.

The Kargil War, fought in 1999, was a significant armed conflict between India and Pakistan. During this intense period, several Pakistani soldiers displayed extraordinary courage and made the ultimate sacrifice, earning the highest military award, Nishan-e-Haider.

The correct answer is Both A & B. Both Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed and Havaldar Lalak Jan Shaheed embraced Shahadat (martyrdom) during the Kargil War and were posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider for their exceptional bravery. Captain Karnal Sher Khan valiantly defended his post against multiple Indian attacks, while Havaldar Lalak Jan fought bravely, repelling enemy assaults despite being severely wounded.

Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed was a hero of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, where he also received Nishan-e-Haider, but he was not martyred during the Kargil War. Therefore, selecting only A or B would be incomplete, as both individuals mentioned in options A and B were indeed martyred during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

The first Muslim American to serve as a federal judge in U.S. history is Judge Zahid Quraishi. He was nominated by President Joe Biden in 2021 and confirmed by the Senate, making a significant milestone in American judicial history. Judge Quraishi is of Pakistani origin, having been born in New York to immigrant parents from Pakistan. His appointment reflects the increasing diversity within the American judiciary.

• While individuals of Indian origin and Bangladeshi origin have made immense contributions to American society and various fields, the specific individual who holds the distinction of being the first Muslim Federal Judge is of Pakistani descent.
• Therefore, "None of these" is incorrect as a specific origin applies.

Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed is a revered national hero of Pakistan, recognized for his unparalleled bravery and sacrifice. He was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan's highest military gallantry award, for his actions during a critical period in the nation's history.

The correct answer is 1965. Major Aziz Bhatti embraced martyrdom on September 10, 1965, during the Indo-Pakistani War. He was commanding a company in the Burki sector on the Lahore front and chose to remain in an exposed forward observation post for five consecutive days under continuous enemy fire. His steadfastness and courage in directing artillery fire against the advancing Indian forces were instrumental in holding the line, ultimately leading to his martyrdom by an enemy tank shell.

The other options are incorrect: 1971 refers to another major Indo-Pakistani War, but Major Aziz Bhatti was not martyred then. 1948 was the year of the First Kashmir War, which occurred much earlier. 1999 refers to the Kargil War, which took place decades after Major Bhatti's sacrifice.

The Delhi Proposals were a significant set of demands put forth by Muslim leaders in British India in March 1927. These proposals outlined conditions under which Muslims would be willing to give up their demand for separate electorates, a contentious issue in Indian politics. Key demands included one-third representation for Muslims in the central legislature, the creation of new Muslim-majority provinces, and separation of Sindh from Bombay.

• 1919 saw the implementation of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
• 1924 was a period of political consolidation and communal tensions.
• 1930 is notable for Mahatma Gandhi's Salt March and the first Round Table Conference.

These dates correspond to other important events in India's struggle for independence.

The pamphlet "Now or Never; Are We to Live or Perish Forever?" holds immense historical significance in the context of the Pakistan Movement. It was a pivotal document that articulated the demand for a separate Muslim homeland in British India and introduced the name "Pakistan."

The correct answer is Chaudhry Rehmat Ali. He was a Pakistani Muslim nationalist who published this influential pamphlet on January 28, 1933, from Cambridge, England. In this document, Rehmat Ali coined the acronym "Pakistan" by combining letters from the names of the Muslim-majority regions of Punjab, Afghan (North-West Frontier Province), Kashmir, Sindh, and Baluchistan.

The other options are incorrect: Allama Iqbal was a visionary poet and philosopher who conceptualized the idea of a separate Muslim state but did not author this specific pamphlet. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the founder of Pakistan and its first Governor-General, but he was not the writer of "Now or Never." Liaqat Ali Khan was Pakistan's first Prime Minister, but he also did not write this pamphlet.

Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav was arrested in Balochistan, Pakistan, in March 2016. Pakistan claimed that Jadhav was an Indian spy involved in subversive activities and terrorism within its borders, particularly in Balochistan and Karachi. India, however, maintains that Jadhav was a retired naval officer abducted from Iran, where he was engaged in legitimate business, and that he was not involved in espionage. The case has been a major point of contention between India and Pakistan, even reaching the International Court of Justice.

• KPK (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Punjab, and Sindh are other provinces of Pakistan, but the specific location of his alleged arrest, as claimed by Pakistani authorities, was Balochistan.

The question asks about the constitutional article that designates the President as the Head of State. In a parliamentary republic like Pakistan, the President holds a largely ceremonial role as the Head of State, symbolizing the unity and integrity of the country, while the Prime Minister acts as the Head of Government.

Article 41 of the Constitution of Pakistan explicitly states that there shall be a President of Pakistan who shall be the Head of State. This article outlines the qualifications, election process, and fundamental role of the President within the constitutional framework, making it the correct answer.

• Article 90 pertains to the exercise of the Federal Government's executive authority, which is primarily vested in the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, not the President as Head of State.
• Article 370 is an article from the Constitution of India, specifically related to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, and is entirely irrelevant to the Constitution of Pakistan.
• Therefore, 'None of these' is incorrect, as Article 41 precisely addresses the question.

The year 1958 marked a significant turning point in Pakistan's political history with the imposition of its first martial law. Ayub Khan, who was then serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, was appointed as the Chief Martial Law Administrator. This appointment was initially made by President Iskander Mirza, who abrogated the 1956 Constitution and dissolved the assemblies. However, Ayub Khan soon consolidated power, overthrowing Mirza himself within weeks and assuming the presidency, thereby initiating a long period of military rule in the country.

The other options are incorrect because they relate to different periods or roles. Ghulam Ishaq Khan served as President of Pakistan much later, from 1988 to 1993, and was not involved in the 1958 events. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is a prominent politician who served as Chief Minister of Punjab decades later, not a military figure from that era. General Zia-ul-Haq was another military dictator, but he imposed martial law in 1977, nearly two decades after Ayub Khan's takeover.