PPSC Past Papers & Solved MCQs

The question asks in which book by Hafeez Jalandhari is Pakistan's national anthem included. Hafeez Jalandhari is the revered poet who penned the lyrics for Pakistan's national anthem, known as 'Qaumi Tarana'.

The correct answer is C: چراغ سحر (Chiragh-e-Sahar). 'Chiragh-e-Sahar' is Hafeez Jalandhari's most celebrated and comprehensive collection of poetry. It compiles a significant portion of his poetic works, and it is within this esteemed collection that the lyrics of Pakistan's national anthem are formally published and preserved. This book is a cornerstone of Urdu literature and a testament to Jalandhari's poetic legacy.

The other options, A: چراغ عصر (Chiragh-e-Asr) and B: روشن چراغ (Roshan Chiragh), are not the correct titles of the collection that houses the national anthem. While they might sound like plausible book titles, 'Chiragh-e-Sahar' is the specific and historically recognized work containing the national anthem. Therefore, knowing the exact title of his major poetic collection is crucial here.

This question tests knowledge of comparative adjectives in English grammar. Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things. The way a comparative adjective is formed depends on the number of syllables in the adjective.

For most one-syllable adjectives, we add '-er' (e.g., tall -> taller). For adjectives ending in 'y' with two syllables, like "pretty," we change the 'y' to 'i' and add '-er'. For adjectives with three or more syllables, or some two-syllable adjectives not ending in 'y', we use "more" before the adjective (e.g., beautiful -> more beautiful).

In the case of "pretty," it is a two-syllable adjective ending in 'y'. Therefore, its correct comparative form is "prettier."

The correct sentence is "She is prettier than her sister." This sentence correctly applies the rule for forming the comparative of "pretty."

• "She is more pretty than her sister" is incorrect because "more" is not used with adjectives like "pretty" that form their comparative by adding '-er'.
• "She is more prettier than her sister" is grammatically incorrect. This is a double comparative, using both "more" and the '-er' suffix, which is redundant and never used in standard English.
• "None of these" is incorrect because option B is a grammatically correct sentence.

The question refers to the literary research of Mahmood Shirani and asks which poet he declared as the first 'Sahib-e-Diwan' poet of Urdu. A 'Sahib-e-Diwan' poet is one who has a complete collection (Diwan) of their poetry compiled.

The correct answer is B: مسعود سعد سلمان (Masood Saad Salman). Mahmood Shirani, a distinguished researcher and literary critic, conducted extensive studies on the origins and early development of Urdu poetry. His groundbreaking research led him to conclude that Masood Saad Salman, a Persian poet from the Ghaznavid period (11th-12th century) who also composed verses in Hindvi (an early form of Urdu), was the first poet to have a 'Diwan' in this language. Shirani's findings challenged earlier assumptions and significantly contributed to the understanding of Urdu's literary history.

The distractors are incorrect: A: امیر خسرو (Amir Khusro) is often considered a pioneer of Hindvi poetry, but Shirani's specific claim for 'Sahib-e-Diwan' status predates him. C: قطب شاہ (Quli Qutb Shah) is recognized as the first 'Sahib-e-Diwan' poet of Urdu from the Deccan region, but Masood Saad Salman's claim, according to Shirani, is chronologically earlier in the broader context of Urdu's evolution.

The question asks for the singular form of the Urdu/Arabic word 'نجوم' (Nujoom). Understanding singular and plural forms is a fundamental aspect of language proficiency, especially in Arabic-derived vocabulary common in Urdu.

The correct answer is C: نجم (Najm). 'نجم' (Najm) means 'star' in Arabic and Urdu. Its plural form is 'نجوم' (Nujoom), meaning 'stars'. This follows a common pattern of pluralization in Arabic, where a singular noun takes a specific plural form, often irregular.

Let's look at the incorrect options:

• A: انجمن (Anjuman) means 'assembly', 'society', or 'association'. It has no etymological or semantic relationship with 'Nujoom' and is not its singular form.
• B: انجام (Anjaam) means 'end', 'result', or 'outcome'. Like 'Anjuman', it is a completely different word with a distinct meaning and no connection to 'Nujoom' as a singular form.
• D: None is incorrect because 'نجم' is indeed the correct singular form.

Therefore, 'نجم' is the accurate singular for 'نجوم'.

The idiom “fought tooth and nail” means to fight with extreme effort, determination, and ferocity, using every possible means or resource available. It evokes the image of an animal fighting desperately for survival, employing its teeth and claws. Therefore, the phrase signifies a struggle carried out with maximum intensity and commitment.

“With every available means” accurately captures this essence, implying that all possible methods, strength, and resources were utilized in the struggle, making it the correct answer.

• “To silently leave the scene of battle” is incorrect because it suggests retreat or avoidance, which is the opposite of fighting intensely.
• “With all their rights” is incorrect as it refers to legal or moral entitlements, which are unrelated to the physical or metaphorical intensity of a fight.
• “In a cowardly manner” is also incorrect because fighting “tooth and nail” implies bravery, determination, and a lack of fear, directly contrasting with cowardice.

Hazrat Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (RA) is sometimes referred to in competitive examination books as "Maseeh-ul-Islam". This association is based on a hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) compared Abu Dharr (RA) to Prophet Isa (AS) in his simplicity, modesty, and ascetic life.

However, "Maseeh-ul-Islam" is not a universally recognized formal title of Abu Dharr (RA) in classical Islamic literature. The expression is mainly used in some General Knowledge and examination references.

Correct Answer (Exam Perspective): Hazrat Abu Dharr Ghaffari (RA)

The word “nonchalant” describes someone who appears or feels casually calm and relaxed, showing a lack of concern, interest, or enthusiasm. It implies an air of indifference or unconcern, often suggesting a deliberate attempt to seem unaffected. To find its antonym, we need a word that signifies the opposite of this detached attitude.

“Attentive” is the correct antonym because it means paying close attention, being watchful, and showing interest or concern. This directly contrasts with the lack of interest and casual indifference implied by “nonchalant.”

• “Casual” is incorrect as it is a synonym or very close in meaning to nonchalant, describing a relaxed and informal attitude.
• “Blase” is incorrect because it means unimpressed or indifferent to something because one has experienced or seen it so often before, which is very similar to being nonchalant.
• “Indifferent” is incorrect as it is a direct synonym of nonchalant, meaning having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned.

The Battle of Qadisiyyah was a decisive battle fought between the Rashidun Caliphate and the Sasanian (Persian) Empire during the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (RA). The Muslim army, led by Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (RA), defeated the Persian forces under Rostam Farrokhzad.

The battle is generally accepted to have taken place in 14 AH (636 CE), although some historical sources mention 15 AH due to differences in the Islamic calendar and historical chronology.

The victory at Qadisiyyah paved the way for the Muslim conquest of Persia and marked the beginning of the decline of the Sasanian Empire.

Correct Answer: 14 AH

This question pertains to the birth year of a significant figure in Islamic scholarship, Imam An-Nasa'i, one of the most prominent Hadith compilers. Precise biographical details are vital for understanding the timeline of Islamic intellectual history.

The correct answer is B: 214 AH. Imam Abu Abd al-Rahman Ahmad ibn Shu'ayb ibn Ali ibn Sinan ibn Bahr al-Nasa'i, commonly known as An-Nasa'i, was born in the year 214 AH (Anno Hegirae), which corresponds to approximately 829/830 CE. He hailed from Nasa, Khurasan (present-day Turkmenistan). He is celebrated for his monumental work, 'Sunan an-Nasa'i', which is one of the six canonical collections of Hadith (Kutub al-Sittah) in Sunni Islam, highly regarded for its rigorous methodology and authenticity.

Let's examine why the other options are incorrect:

• A: 211 AH, C: 216 AH, and D: 218 AH are all incorrect dates for Imam An-Nasa'i's birth. While they are close in proximity, historical and biographical records consistently confirm 214 AH as his birth year. Accuracy in such details is crucial for historical and religious studies.

Therefore, 214 AH is the correct birth year for Al-Nisai.

The word “insolvent” describes a state of being unable to pay debts owed. It is a financial term indicating that an individual or organization lacks sufficient assets or income to meet their financial obligations, often leading to bankruptcy or financial ruin. To find its antonym, we need a word that signifies the opposite financial condition.

“Wealthy” is the correct antonym because it means having a great deal of money, property, or other valuable assets; rich. This directly contrasts with being unable to pay debts, as a wealthy person possesses ample resources.

• “Ruined” is incorrect as it is a synonym or very close in meaning to insolvent, describing a state of being severely damaged or destroyed, often financially.
• “Mounted” is incorrect. This word typically refers to being placed or fixed on something, or increasing in amount, and has no relevance to financial status.
• “Blasted” is incorrect. This word can mean severely criticized, or destroyed by an explosion, neither of which relates to the financial context of “insolvent.”

This question tests the correct usage of articles (a, an, the) in English grammar, particularly when referring to general concepts. Articles are determiners that precede nouns, indicating whether the noun is specific or general.

“Man is immortal” is the correct sentence. When the word “man” is used without an article to refer to humanity or mankind in a general, philosophical sense (meaning all human beings), it is treated as an uncountable noun. This construction is used for general truths or universal statements about the human race.

• “The man is immortal” is incorrect. “The man” refers to a specific, identifiable male individual, implying that only that particular man is immortal, which is not the intended general statement about humanity.
• “A man is immortal” is incorrect. “A man” refers to any single, unspecified male individual. This also fails to convey the general truth about humanity as a whole.
• “An man is immortal” is grammatically incorrect. The indefinite article “an” is used before words starting with a vowel sound, while “a” is used before words starting with a consonant sound. “Man” starts with a consonant sound, so “an” is inappropriate. Even if it were “a man,” it would still be incorrect for the intended general meaning.

The question asks for the antonym of the word Frugal. Frugal describes someone who is careful and economical with money or resources, avoiding waste. Therefore, its antonym should describe someone who is wasteful or spends excessively.

• The correct answer is B: Extravagant. This word means lacking restraint in spending money or using resources, often spending much more than is necessary or wise. It directly contrasts with the careful, economical nature of being frugal.
• A: Charitable refers to giving money or help to those in need. While a frugal person might not be seen as charitable if they hoard money, it doesn't directly oppose the core meaning of being economical.
• C: Generous means showing a readiness to give more than is expected. Similar to charitable, it describes an act of giving, not necessarily the opposite of careful spending habits.
• D: Thrifty is actually a synonym of frugal, meaning using money and other resources carefully and not wastefully. It describes the same quality, making it incorrect as an antonym.

Understanding the core meaning of 'frugal' as economical and non-wasteful is key to identifying 'extravagant' as its direct opposite.

The question asks for a word that describes something gained beneficially and accidentally. This implies a positive outcome that occurs by chance or good fortune.

• The correct answer is B: Fortuitous. This adjective precisely means happening by chance, especially a lucky chance that brings a good result. It perfectly encapsulates the idea of an accidental, beneficial gain. For example, finding a forgotten twenty-dollar bill in an old coat pocket would be a fortuitous discovery.
• A: Stimulate is a verb meaning to encourage interest or activity in something. It refers to an action or effect, not an accidental gain.
• C: Prosthesis is a noun referring to an artificial body part, such as a limb or tooth, used to replace a missing one. This word is completely unrelated to the concept of accidental benefit.
• D: Syllable is a noun referring to a unit of pronunciation in a word, typically containing a vowel sound. This term is also entirely irrelevant to the context of the question.

Therefore, 'fortuitous' is the only option that accurately describes a beneficial outcome occurring by chance.

The question asks for the antonym of the word Elevate. Elevate means to raise or lift something to a higher position, or to improve the moral or intellectual level of something.

• The correct answer is D: Depress. In its physical sense, 'depress' means to push or pull something down to a lower position, or to make something lower. This is a direct opposite of 'elevate'. For example, you elevate a platform by raising it, and you depress it by lowering it.
• A: Loft, as a verb, means to hit, throw, or kick (a ball or other object) high into the air. This action is more akin to elevating something, not its antonym.
• B: Dull means lacking interest or excitement, or not sharp. This word is unrelated to the physical act of raising or lowering.
• C: Raise is a direct synonym of elevate, meaning to lift or move to a higher position. Therefore, it cannot be the antonym.

Understanding 'elevate' primarily in its sense of lifting or raising makes 'depress' the clear and accurate antonym, as it signifies pushing or pulling downwards.

The question asks for a synonym of the word Pensive. Pensive describes someone who is engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought, often with a touch of sadness or melancholy.

• The correct answer is D: Thoughtful. This word means absorbed in or characterized by thought, often implying deep consideration. While 'thoughtful' can also mean showing consideration for others, its primary meaning of being deep in thought perfectly aligns with 'pensive'.
• A: Shallow means lacking depth of intellect or emotion; superficial. This is an antonym of deep thought, making it incorrect.
• B: Ignorant means lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated or unsophisticated. This describes a lack of knowledge, not a state of deep contemplation.
• C: Negligent means failing to take proper care in doing something; careless. This describes a lack of attention or responsibility, which is distinct from being absorbed in thought.

Therefore, 'thoughtful' is the most accurate synonym for 'pensive', as both words convey a state of deep and serious reflection.

The question asks for a synonym of the word Affable. Affable describes someone who is friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to.

• The correct answer is B: Friendly. This word means kind and pleasant, making it a direct and accurate synonym for 'affable'. An affable person is approachable and enjoys pleasant social interactions.
• A: Cheerful means noticeably happy and optimistic. While an affable person might often be cheerful, cheerfulness is a state of mind, whereas affability describes a social disposition and ease of interaction. They are related but not direct synonyms.
• C: Helpful means giving or ready to give help. While an affable person might also be helpful, 'helpful' describes an action or willingness to assist, which is distinct from the core meaning of being friendly and easy to talk to.
• D: Neutral means not supporting or helping either side in a conflict or disagreement; impartial. This word describes a lack of bias or involvement, which is entirely unrelated to the social characteristic of being affable.

Thus, 'friendly' best captures the essence of being affable, emphasizing approachability and pleasantness in social interactions.

The question asks for a synonym of the word Ensconce. To ensconce means to establish or settle someone or oneself in a comfortable, safe, or secret place. It implies a sense of security and permanence in a new position or location.

The correct answer is A: Establish. To establish means to set up on a firm or permanent basis, or to settle someone in a position or place, which perfectly aligns with the meaning of ensconce. For example, one might ensconce themselves in a cozy armchair, or a company might establish a new branch.

Let's look at the distractors: B: Disband means to break up or cause to break up and stop functioning, which is the opposite of establishing or settling. C: Scatter means to throw in various random directions, implying disarray rather than secure placement. D: Demolish means to pull or knock down a building, which is entirely unrelated to the act of settling or establishing. Therefore, 'Establish' is the most accurate synonym for 'Ensconce'.

The question identifies Nagorno-Karabakh as a disputed region and asks which countries are involved in the dispute. The correct answer is Armenia and Azerbaijan.

• Nagorno-Karabakh is an ethnically Armenian-populated region that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. The dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over this territory dates back to the collapse of the Soviet Union and has led to multiple wars and ongoing tensions. The conflict is rooted in historical claims, ethnic identity, and territorial integrity, with significant fighting occurring in the early 1990s and again in 2020 and 2023.
• Option B, Armenia and Turkey, is incorrect. While Turkey is a strong ally of Azerbaijan and has historically strained relations with Armenia, it is not a direct claimant to the Nagorno-Karabakh territory itself.
• Option C, Azerbaijan and Turkey, is incorrect. These two countries share close cultural and political ties and are allies, not disputing the Nagorno-Karabakh region between themselves.
• Option D, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, is incorrect. Kazakhstan is a Central Asian country with no direct involvement or territorial claims in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The conflict remains a significant geopolitical flashpoint in the South Caucasus region.

Economists use various metrics to quantify and compare the economic activity and health of nations. These measures provide insights into a country's production, income, and overall economic performance. The question asks for the most common way to express the size of a nation's economy.

• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is the correct answer. GDP is the most widely recognized and utilized measure of a country's economic size. It represents the total monetary value of all finished goods and services produced within a country's geographical borders over a specific period, typically a year or a quarter. It provides a comprehensive snapshot of a nation's economic output.
• Per capita income measures the average income earned per person in a given area in a specified year. While it indicates the standard of living or economic well-being of the average citizen, it does not represent the overall size or total output of the economy.
• GNP (Gross National Product) measures the total value of goods and services produced by a country's residents, regardless of where they are located. While related to economic size, GDP is generally preferred for measuring the economic activity *within* a country's borders, making it the more common indicator for the 'size of a nation's economy'.
• CPI (Consumer Price Index) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. It is used to gauge inflation and the cost of living, not the overall size of the economy.

Mount Logan, the highest mountain in Canada and the second-highest peak in North America, is located in Canada. This majestic mountain is situated within Kluane National Park and Reserve in southwestern Yukon. It is part of the Saint Elias Mountains, a range known for its immense glaciers and rugged terrain. Mount Logan is renowned for its vast base and extensive mass, making it one of the most significant geographical features of the Canadian wilderness and a challenging destination for mountaineers.

• Russia is home to Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, but not Mount Logan. Russia has extensive mountain ranges, but Mount Logan is not among them.
• The US contains Denali (Mount McKinley), the highest peak in North America, but Mount Logan is distinctly Canadian. The US has many significant mountains, but not this specific one.
• Nepal is famous for the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. However, Mount Logan is not located in Nepal; it is part of a completely different mountain system on another continent.

This problem tests your understanding of ratios and algebraic substitution. The foundational concept is that if two ratios are equal, they can be set to a common constant, allowing you to express the variables in terms of that constant. Given the equation a/3 = b/2, we can introduce a constant, say 'k', such that a/3 = b/2 = k. This implies that a = 3k and b = 2k.

To find the value of the expression (2a + 3b)/(3a – 2b), we substitute these derived values of 'a' and 'b' into the expression:

• Numerator: 2a + 3b = 2(3k) + 3(2k) = 6k + 6k = 12k
• Denominator: 3a – 2b = 3(3k) – 2(2k) = 9k – 4k = 5k

Therefore, the expression becomes (12k)/(5k). Since 'k' is a non-zero constant, it cancels out, leaving us with 12/5. This confirms that option A is the correct answer.

The other options are incorrect because they result from miscalculations: B: 5/12 is the reciprocal of the correct answer, possibly from inverting the final fraction. C: 3/2 and D: 2/3 might arise from incorrectly simplifying the initial ratio or making errors during substitution, such as cancelling terms prematurely or incorrectly combining coefficients.

The question asks about the country of origin for Gamal Abdul Nasser. The correct answer is Egypt.

• Gamal Abdul Nasser was a pivotal figure in 20th-century Arab history and served as the second President of Egypt from 1956 until his death in 1970. He was a key leader of the 1952 Egyptian Revolution, which overthrew the monarchy and established a republic. Nasser championed Pan-Arabism, a political ideology advocating for the unification of Arab nations, and pursued policies of Arab socialism and non-alignment during the Cold War. His leadership during events like the Suez Crisis solidified his status as a prominent Arab nationalist leader.
• Option A, Syria, is incorrect. While Nasser was instrumental in the formation of the United Arab Republic (UAR) with Syria from 1958 to 1961, he was fundamentally an Egyptian leader.
• Option C, Jordan, is incorrect. Jordan is a separate Arab kingdom, and Nasser was never its leader.
• Option D, Palestine, is incorrect. While Nasser was a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and an advocate for Palestinian rights, he was not from Palestine but from Egypt.

Nasser's legacy profoundly shaped modern Egypt and the broader Arab world.

The third moment about the mean is a statistical measure used to quantify the skewness of a probability distribution. Skewness indicates the asymmetry of the distribution of data points around its mean. A foundational fact is that for a perfectly symmetrical distribution, the data points are evenly balanced on both sides of the mean. Consequently, the sum of the cubed deviations from the mean, which constitutes the third moment, will cancel out to zero. Therefore, if the third moment about the mean is zero, the distribution is unequivocally symmetrical. Conversely, a positively skewed distribution, where the tail extends to the right, would have a positive third moment, indicating more extreme positive deviations. A negatively skewed distribution, with its tail extending to the left, would yield a negative third moment due to more extreme negative deviations. The option 'None of these' is incorrect because symmetry is precisely defined by this statistical property.