PPSC Past Papers & Solved MCQs

The question asks about the sequential position of Gracey as Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army. The correct answer is Second. General Sir Douglas David Gracey served as the Second Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army. He assumed this crucial role in February 1948, succeeding General Frank Messervy, who was the first Commander-in-Chief after Pakistan's independence in 1947. Gracey's tenure, which lasted until January 1951, was instrumental in laying the foundational structure and professionalizing the newly formed Pakistan Army during its nascent years. His leadership was vital in establishing military protocols and organization.

• "Third," "Fourth," and "Fifth" are incorrect. General Ayub Khan succeeded Gracey, becoming the third Commander-in-Chief and the first native Pakistani to hold the position. Understanding this sequence is essential for comprehending Pakistan's early military history and leadership transitions.

Margaret Thatcher, famously known as the "Iron Lady," made history as the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. She served from 1979 to 1990, becoming the longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century. Her tenure was marked by significant economic and social reforms, including privatization and a strong stance against trade unions, which profoundly reshaped British society. She was a towering figure in conservative politics globally. Canada, the USA, and Australia have all had female leaders or prominent political figures, but Margaret Thatcher specifically held the highest political office in the UK, making her a unique and influential figure in British and world history.

The 10th Constitutional Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was passed on 29 March 1987. It amended Articles 54 and 61 by reducing the maximum interval between two sessions of the National Assembly and the Senate from 160 days to 130 days. It also reduced the required annual sitting days of the National Assembly from 60 days to 30 days.

• Amendment: 10th Constitutional Amendment
• Year Passed: 1987
• Date: 29 March 1987
• Articles Amended: 54 and 61
• Key Change: Reduced the maximum interval between parliamentary sessions from 160 days to 130 days.

Therefore, the correct answer is: 1987.

CENTO stands for the Central Treaty Organization. This was a military alliance formed during the Cold War era, originally known as the Baghdad Pact, established in 1955. Its primary objective was to prevent Soviet expansion into the Middle East by creating a defensive barrier. Member states included the United Kingdom, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Turkey, with the United States participating as an associate member. The organization was dissolved in 1979 following the Iranian Revolution and Iraq's earlier withdrawal. The other options are incorrect because CENTO was fundamentally a military and defense pact, not focused on economic, European, or intelligence treaties, despite intelligence sharing occurring within its framework.

The question asks for the age at which Malala Yousafzai won the Nobel Peace Prize. Malala, a Pakistani activist for female education, became the youngest-ever Nobel laureate. The correct answer is 17.

• Malala Yousafzai was born on July 12, 1997. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 10, 2014, jointly with Kailash Satyarthi. At the time of the announcement, she was 17 years old.
• Her recognition came for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education, particularly after being shot by the Taliban in 2012.
• Options A: 14, B: 15, and D: 21 are incorrect. She was shot when she was 15, but she received the prestigious award two years later, at the age of 17.

Linux is a highly influential family of open-source, Unix-like operating systems, built upon the Linux kernel. It powers a vast array of devices, from servers and supercomputers to embedded systems and Android smartphones, emphasizing its widespread impact on modern computing.

The correct answer is D: Linus Torvalds. Linus Torvalds, a Finnish-American software engineer, initiated the development of the Linux kernel in 1991 while he was a student at the University of Helsinki. He created it as a free alternative to MINIX, a Unix-like operating system, and subsequently released it under the GNU General Public License, fostering its collaborative and open-source development.

• A: Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft and is known for the Windows operating systems.
• B: Charles Babbage was a 19th-century mathematician, considered the "father of the computer" for his conceptual designs.
• C: Steve Jobs co-founded Apple Inc. and was instrumental in the development of macOS and iOS.

These individuals are not associated with the invention of Linux.

The iconic Olympic flag, featuring five interlocking rings, was designed by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, in 1913. The five rings symbolize the five inhabited continents united by Olympism, with their colors (blue, yellow, black, green, and red on a white field) representing that at least one of these colors is present in every nation's flag. The flag was officially presented and first hoisted in 1914 at the Congress of Paris, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the International Olympic Committee. Its debut at the actual Olympic Games, however, was delayed until the 1920 Antwerp Games due to the outbreak of World War I. The years 1906, 1908, and 1912 predate the flag's creation and initial display.

The question asks about the name of the first rocket launched by Pakistan. Pakistan's space program, SUPARCO (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission), began its journey in the early 1960s. The correct answer is Rehbar.

• Pakistan launched its first uncrewed solid-propellant sounding rocket, Rehbar-I, on June 7, 1962, from Sonmiani Rocket Range. This marked a significant milestone for the nation's scientific and technological capabilities.
• The launch was conducted in collaboration with the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
• Options B: Badr, C: Ghauri, and D: Shaheen are incorrect. Badr-1 was Pakistan's first indigenously built satellite launched in 1990. Ghauri and Shaheen are names of Pakistan's ballistic missiles, developed much later than the first rocket.

Microsoft PowerPoint is a widely used presentation program that enables users to create dynamic slide shows. The program's ribbon interface organizes various commands into logical tabs to facilitate efficient workflow.

The correct answer is A: Home. The "Home" tab is the central hub for fundamental slide management tasks in MS PowerPoint. Within the "Slides" group on the Home tab, you will find the prominent "New Slide" command. This command allows users to easily add a new slide to their presentation and select from various layout options to suit their content needs.

• B: Design tab is used for applying themes, formatting backgrounds, and customizing slide size.
• C: Insert tab is primarily for adding objects like pictures, shapes, charts, text boxes, and videos, not for adding new slides themselves.
• D: View tab is used for changing the presentation view (e.g., Normal, Slide Sorter) and managing master slides or rulers.

Phobias are intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations, often leading to avoidance and significant distress. The fear of heights is medically termed Acrophobia. This term is derived from the Greek words "akron," meaning peak, summit, or edge, and "phobos," meaning fear. Individuals suffering from acrophobia experience extreme anxiety, panic attacks, and physical symptoms like dizziness or nausea when confronted with high places. Understanding the specific terminology helps in diagnosing and treating these conditions. In contrast, Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders, Nyctophobia is the fear of darkness, and Claustrophobia is the fear of confined spaces, making them incorrect choices for the fear of heights.

The question asks for the year the Sui gas field was discovered. The Sui gas field is one of the largest natural gas fields in Pakistan, located in Balochistan province. The correct answer is 1952.

• The Sui gas field was discovered in 1952 by Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), a major Pakistani exploration and production company. This discovery was pivotal for Pakistan's energy sector, providing a significant source of natural gas for industrial and domestic use.
• Commercial exploitation of the field began in 1955, leading to the establishment of a pipeline network across the country.
• Options A: 1950, C: 1956, and D: 1958 are incorrect. While these years fall within the early development period of Pakistan's energy infrastructure, the actual discovery of the Sui gas field occurred specifically in 1952.

A computer system comprises both tangible and intangible components. The question asks for the term describing the physical parts.

• Hardware is the correct answer. Hardware refers to all the physical, tangible components of a computer system that you can see and touch, such as the CPU, memory, hard drive, keyboard, and monitor. These are the electronic and mechanical parts that make up the computer.
• Software (B) refers to the intangible set of instructions, programs, and data that tell the hardware what to do. It cannot be physically touched.
• Firmware (C) is a specific type of software embedded into hardware devices, providing low-level control, like the BIOS. While it's software, it's not the overarching term for all physical parts.
• Operating System (D) is a type of software that manages computer hardware and software resources, providing common services for computer programs. It is a crucial piece of software, not a physical part itself.

Therefore, 'Hardware' is the most accurate term for the physical components.

Switzerland is globally recognized for its precision engineering, innovation, and high-quality manufacturing. Among its various industries, the production of Watches & Clocks stands out as its main industrial output and a defining characteristic of its economy. Swiss watchmaking is celebrated worldwide for its meticulous craftsmanship, intricate mechanisms, and luxury appeal, contributing significantly to the nation's exports and international reputation. While Switzerland produces other goods like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and machinery, and has a strong financial sector, the watch industry remains iconic. Cement, textile, and car manufacturing are not primary industrial productions for Switzerland; it's not known for these on the same scale as its horology.

The question asks about the second staunch supporter of the Two-Nation Theory. The Two-Nation Theory posits that Muslims and Hindus are two separate nations, making it imperative for Muslims to have a separate homeland. The correct answer is Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.

• While Allama Iqbal (option A) is widely recognized for articulating the idea of a separate Muslim state in his 1930 Allahabad Address, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (option C) is considered one of the earliest proponents of the distinct identity of Muslims in British India.
• Sir Syed, in the late 19th century, observed the cultural and political differences between Hindus and Muslims, concluding they were separate nations. His views predated Iqbal's more explicit political demand.
• A.K. Fazal-ul-Haq (option B) was a prominent political leader but not a foundational theorist of the Two-Nation Theory. Nehru (option D) was a leader of the Indian National Congress and opposed the theory.

Superscript is a text formatting feature where characters are raised slightly above the baseline and are typically smaller than the surrounding text, often used for footnotes or mathematical exponents.

• Ctrl + Shift + + is the correct shortcut key for applying superscript in Microsoft Word. This combination toggles the selected text or the text you type next into superscript format.
• Ctrl + Shift + S (A) is not the standard shortcut for superscript; it is often used for applying a style or for 'Save As' in some applications.
• Ctrl + + (B) is typically used for subscript (Ctrl + =) or for zooming in many applications, but not for superscript in Word.
• Ctrl + Alt + S (D) is not a standard shortcut for superscript in MS Word. It might be assigned to other functions or custom macros, but it doesn't activate superscript by default.

Understanding these specific shortcuts is essential for efficient document formatting in Word.

Marie Curie is renowned as the correct answer because she was a pioneering physicist and chemist who made groundbreaking discoveries in radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, sharing the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics with her husband Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel for their work on radioactivity. Furthermore, she became the first person and only woman to win the Nobel Prize twice, receiving the 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her discovery of the elements polonium and radium. Her contributions fundamentally advanced our understanding of atomic structure and nuclear physics.

• Aung San Suu Kyi, Jody Williams, and Nadia Murad are incorrect as they all received the Nobel Peace Prize for their significant humanitarian and political work, not for achievements in scientific fields.

The question asks about the first recipient of Nishan-i-Haider, Pakistan's highest military gallantry award. This prestigious medal is awarded to those who have displayed acts of great heroism in combat. The correct answer is Capt. Sarwar.

• Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed was the first recipient of the Nishan-i-Haider. He was awarded the medal posthumously for his exceptional bravery during the First Kashmir War in 1947-48.
• He displayed immense courage while leading his company in a counter-attack against Indian forces in the Uri Sector, sacrificing his life in the line of duty on July 27, 1948.
• Options A: Aziz Bhatti, B: Muhammad Akram, and C: Shabir Sharif were also recipients of the Nishan-i-Haider, but they received the award in later conflicts (1965 and 1971 wars, respectively), making Captain Sarwar the inaugural recipient.

Junk mail refers to unsolicited and often unwanted electronic messages, typically commercial advertisements, sent to a large number of recipients.

• Spam is the correct answer. 'Spam' is the universally recognized term for unsolicited bulk email, which is the digital equivalent of junk mail. It often clogs inboxes and can sometimes contain malicious content.
• Spoof (B) refers to the act of disguising a communication from an unknown source as being from a known, trusted source. While spammers often use spoofing, 'spoof' itself is not synonymous with junk mail.
• Buffer (C) is a temporary storage area used to hold data while it is being transferred from one place to another. It has no relation to unsolicited email.
• Barrage (D) means a concentrated outpouring, typically of artillery fire or questions. While junk mail can come in a barrage, 'barrage' is a general term for a large quantity, not the specific name for unsolicited email.

Thus, 'Spam' is the precise term for junk mail in the digital context.

The Marathon is historically the longest running race in the modern Olympic Games, covering a distance of 42.195 kilometers (26 miles and 385 yards). This iconic event commemorates the legendary run of Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over the Persians. While other races like the 50 km race exist in athletics, the question specifically asks for a "running race," and the 50 km event is typically a race walk, not a pure running event in the same category as the Marathon. The Marathon is a cornerstone of the Olympic track and field program.

• The 4x400 relay is a shorter team event.
• The 10,000 meters is a long-distance track event but significantly shorter than the Marathon.
• The 50 km is a race walk, not a running race, making it distinct from the Marathon in terms of athletic discipline.

The Delhi Proposals of 1927 were a significant attempt by Muhammad Ali Jinnah to foster Hindu-Muslim unity by offering a major concession. Muslims had historically demanded separate electorates to ensure their political representation and safeguard their interests in a Hindu-majority India. In these proposals, Jinnah offered to withdraw the Muslim demand for separate electorates (Option A) on the condition that certain safeguards were provided. These conditions included one-third representation for Muslims in the Central Legislature, the separation of Sindh from Bombay, and reforms in the North-West Frontier Province and Balochistan.

Options B (1/3 representation) and C (Sindh separation) were not demands Jinnah withdrew; rather, they were the conditions he put forth in exchange for giving up separate electorates. Option D (Partition) was not a prominent demand at this early stage; the focus was on constitutional reforms within a united India.

Microsoft PowerPoint is a powerful tool for creating and delivering presentations, organized into various tabs for different functionalities.

• The Slide Show tab's primary purpose is to preview and control the slide show. This tab contains options to start the presentation from the beginning or current slide, set up the slide show (e.g., loop, timings), hide slides, and record narration. It focuses on the delivery and viewing experience of the presentation.
• Insert images and videos (A) is primarily handled by the 'Insert' tab.
• Change design & layout (C) is mainly managed through the 'Design' tab for themes and backgrounds, and the 'Home' tab for slide layouts.
• Create animations (D) is the function of the 'Animations' tab, where you can apply motion effects to objects on your slides.

Each tab in PowerPoint serves a distinct organizational purpose, making the 'Slide Show' tab essential for presentation delivery.

Abdus Salam is the correct answer as he was a brilliant theoretical physicist from Pakistan who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1979. He shared the prize with Sheldon Glashow and Steven Weinberg for their independent contributions to the electroweak theory, which unifies the electromagnetic and weak forces. This groundbreaking work is a cornerstone of the Standard Model of particle physics, significantly advancing our understanding of fundamental forces in the universe. Salam's achievement brought immense international recognition to Pakistan in the scientific community.

• Abdul Qadeer Khan was a nuclear scientist but did not win a Nobel Prize.
• Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is a filmmaker who won two Academy Awards, not a Nobel Prize in science.
• Malala Yousafzai won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her advocacy for girls' education, not a science prize.

The 'War on Terror' commenced after the devastating 9/11 attacks in 2001, prompting the United States to launch a global campaign against terrorism, primarily targeting Al-Qaeda and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Pakistan, under President Pervez Musharraf, made a crucial strategic decision to align itself with the USA (Option A) in this global effort. This alignment involved providing critical logistical support, intelligence sharing, and active cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, fundamentally shifting Pakistan's foreign policy stance.

While NATO (Option B) countries were involved, Pakistan's primary and direct alignment was with the United States, not the broader alliance. Option C (USA & UK) is partially correct as the UK was a key US ally, but Pakistan's direct and most significant partnership was with the USA. Option D (Taliban) is incorrect because the Taliban was the primary target of the War on Terror, and Pakistan officially broke ties with them to support the US-led coalition.

The Russian Revolution was a period of political and social revolution across the territory of the Russian Empire, culminating in the establishment of the Soviet Union.

• Vladimir Lenin is known as the Father of the Russian Revolution. As the leader of the Bolshevik Party, he played a pivotal role in the October Revolution of 1917, which overthrew the provisional government and established the world's first communist state. His ideological leadership and strategic brilliance were central to the revolution's success.
• Joseph Stalin (A) was Lenin's successor and a key figure in the Soviet Union, but he was not the primary leader or
  

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, is correctly identified as the founder of the English-language newspaper "Dawn." He launched "Dawn" in 1941 from Delhi, initially as a weekly, and later converted it into a daily newspaper. His primary objective was to provide a strong voice for the All-India Muslim League and to articulate the Muslim perspective on political developments during the struggle for independence. The newspaper played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and advocating for the creation of a separate Muslim state.

• Allama Iqbal was a philosopher and poet who envisioned Pakistan but did not found "Dawn."
• Liaqat Ali Khan was Pakistan's first Prime Minister but not the founder of the newspaper.
• Abul Kalam Azad was a prominent Indian nationalist and Congress leader, opposing the Muslim League's stance.