PPSC Past Papers & Solved MCQs

This question tests knowledge of foam fire extinguishers. The correct answer is Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), which is widely used in foam extinguishers to suppress fires involving flammable liquids.

AFFF forms a thin film over the surface of burning fuel, cutting off the oxygen supply, cooling the fire, and preventing the release of flammable vapours. It is especially effective against Class B fires, such as those involving petrol, diesel, and other flammable liquids.

• Nitrous Oxide: Used as an anaesthetic and oxidizer, not in fire extinguishers.
• Methane: A flammable gas and not a firefighting agent.
• AFFF: The standard foaming agent used in foam fire extinguishers.
• Carbon Monoxide: A poisonous gas with no use as a fire-extinguishing foam.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF).

The correct answer is Thermodynamics. A refrigerator operates based on the principles of thermodynamics, specifically the second law, which dictates the direction of heat flow. Refrigerators use a refrigeration cycle to transfer heat from a colder space (inside the fridge) to a warmer space (the room), which requires work input, typically from a compressor. This process is a direct application of thermodynamic principles. Conservation of Mass, Electromagnetism, and Newton's Laws are fundamental physics concepts but do not directly describe the primary mechanism of heat transfer and cooling in a refrigerator.

Carbon Dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for increased global temperatures, a phenomenon known as global warming. It traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, largely due to human activities like burning fossil fuels.

• Oxygen is vital for respiration but does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
• Hydrogen is not a significant atmospheric gas contributing to global warming.
• Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere but is largely inert and does not trap heat.

Understanding the role of greenhouse gases is fundamental to comprehending climate change.

Earth is the only planet in our solar system where free oxygen (O2) is abundantly available in the atmosphere. This is primarily due to the process of photosynthesis carried out by plants and algae over billions of years, which releases oxygen as a byproduct.

• Mars has a very thin atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide, with only trace amounts of oxygen.
• Jupiter is a gas giant with an atmosphere primarily of hydrogen and helium, lacking free oxygen.
• Venus has a dense atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide, with virtually no free oxygen.

The presence of free oxygen is a key indicator of life as we know it.

Insulin is a crucial hormone secreted by the Pancreas. Specifically, it is produced by the beta cells within the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Insulin plays a vital role in regulating blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells for energy or storage.

• The Adrenal gland produces hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, involved in stress response.
• The Pituitary gland is the 'master gland' that regulates many other endocrine glands but does not produce insulin.
• The Thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism and growth.

Dysfunction in insulin production or action leads to diabetes.

Mount Tambora, renowned for its catastrophic 1815 eruption, one of the largest in recorded history, is located in Indonesia. This active stratovolcano is situated on Sumbawa island, part of the Indonesian archipelago. Its eruption had significant global climate impacts, leading to the 'Year Without a Summer' in 1816.

• The Philippines is home to volcanoes like Mount Pinatubo, but not Tambora.
• Japan features iconic volcanoes such as Mount Fuji, but Tambora is not located there.
• Malaysia is not known for major active volcanoes like Tambora.

Indonesia's location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it highly volcanically active.

The program launched by Pakistan for science and development in 2025 is STED 2025. This refers to the Science, Technology, and Economic Development (STED) initiative, a strategic framework aimed at fostering innovation, research, and technological advancement within the country to drive economic growth and societal progress.

• NASA 2025 is incorrect as NASA is the U.S. space agency, not a Pakistani program.
• Science Leap 2025 is a plausible but incorrect name for the specific Pakistani initiative.
• Digital Pakistan Plus, while related to national development, is not the specific science and development program in question for 2025.

National policies like STED 2025 are crucial for a country\'s future.

Pakistan received $8 billion in remittances during the first quarter of 2025. Remittances, which are funds sent by expatriate workers to their home country, are a vital source of foreign exchange for Pakistan, significantly contributing to its economy and balance of payments. This figure reflects the ongoing financial contributions from the Pakistani diaspora.

• $12 billion, $16 billion, and $22 billion are incorrect figures for the specified period.

Accurate economic data like this is essential for understanding a nation\'s financial health and global economic interactions.

The correct answer is 145%. This figure represents a significant escalation in the trade tensions between the U.S. and China. The U.S. government, under specific administrations, implemented a series of tariffs on various Chinese goods, citing unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft. The 145% tariff was a peak rate applied to certain categories of imports as part of these escalating measures.

• 45% is incorrect as it was a lower rate applied to some goods but not the highest or the one resulting from the series of increases.
• 100% is incorrect; while high tariffs were imposed, 100% was not the specific peak rate mentioned in this context.
• 200% is incorrect; although some tariffs were very high, 200% was not the widely reported maximum percentage resulting from the series of increases on Chinese goods.

The correct answer is Ahmed al-Sharaa. Following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), emerged as a prominent figure in the transitional government in Syria. He assumed a de facto leadership role, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape.

• Bashar al-Assad is incorrect because he was overthrown in December 2024, ending his long rule.
• Hassan Nasrallah is incorrect; he is the leader of Hezbollah, a Lebanese political party and militant group, not a Syrian president.
• Najib Mikati is incorrect; he is the current Prime Minister of Lebanon, not a Syrian leader.

The correct answer is the Moon. NASA's Blue Ghost mission, scheduled for 2025, is part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. This mission aims to deliver scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to the lunar surface, specifically to the Moon's south pole region. It is crucial for supporting future human exploration under the Artemis program.

• Mars is incorrect; while NASA has extensive Mars exploration programs, Blue Ghost is not one of them. Missions like Perseverance and Curiosity target Mars.
• Jupiter is incorrect; missions like Juno explore Jupiter, but Blue Ghost is not associated with it.
• Saturn is incorrect; Cassini-Huygens explored Saturn, but Blue Ghost is not a Saturn mission.

The correct answer is Assad overthrown. In December 2024, the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria collapsed after a rapid offensive by opposition forces, primarily Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This event marked the end of over five decades of Assad family rule and was a monumental political shift for the country and the broader Middle East.

• Peace treaty with Israel is incorrect; no such treaty was signed in December 2024.
• Joined GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) is incorrect; Syria did not join the GCC.
• 5-year state of emergency is incorrect; while Syria has experienced prolonged instability, the major event in December 2024 was the fall of the regime, not the declaration of a state of emergency.

The correct answer is Asim Iftikhar. Asim Iftikhar Ahmad has served in various significant diplomatic roles for Pakistan. While diplomatic appointments can change, according to the context of this question, he is identified as the current permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations. This role involves representing Pakistan's interests and policies on the global stage at the UN.

• Munir Akram is incorrect; while a distinguished diplomat, he has held the position previously or at a different time, but not as the current representative in this specific context.
• Maleeha Lodhi is incorrect; she is a former permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN.
• Sardar Masood Khan is incorrect; he is currently Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, not the permanent representative to the United Nations.

The correct answer is 20-Jan-25. In the United States, the presidential inauguration always takes place on January 20th following a presidential election year. If Donald Trump were to win the 2024 presidential election, his second term would officially begin on January 20, 2025, when he would take the oath of office.

• 20-Jan-22 is incorrect; this date falls within the term of the subsequent president after Trump's first term.
• 20-Jan-23 is incorrect; this date is also within the term of the subsequent president and not an inauguration day for a new presidential term.
• 20-Jan-24 is incorrect; this date is an election year, not an inauguration year for a new presidential term. Inaugurations occur the year after the election.

The State Bank of Pakistan is the central bank of Pakistan, established in 1948. Its primary responsibilities include formulating and implementing monetary policy, regulating the financial system, managing foreign exchange reserves, and overseeing all banking operations in the country. This makes it the ultimate authority for banking policies.

• National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank Limited, and Bank Alfalah are all commercial banks. While they operate under the regulations set by the State Bank, they do not formulate national banking policies themselves. They are private or public sector entities focused on commercial banking services.

Pakistan does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. This stance is rooted in Pakistan's strong support for the Palestinian cause and its non-recognition of the State of Israel due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Pakistan has historically maintained that it will not recognize Israel until a comprehensive and just resolution to the conflict is achieved.

• Pakistan has established diplomatic relations with India, Bangladesh, and South Korea, despite varying degrees of political or historical complexities. These countries maintain embassies or high commissions in each other's territories.