PPSC Past Papers & Solved MCQs

This question primarily tests subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice in English grammar. Identifying the true subject of the sentence is crucial for selecting the appropriate verb form.

• The subject is "The series of lectures." Although "lectures" is plural, the head noun of the subject phrase is "series," which is singular. Therefore, the verb must agree with the singular "series."
• The sentence also requires a passive voice construction because "the series of lectures" is receiving the action of being delivered, rather than performing it.
• "has been" correctly uses the singular auxiliary verb "has" (agreeing with "series") and forms the passive voice with "been delivered."
• "has" (A) is incorrect as it's active voice and incomplete.
• "were" (B) and "have" (D) are plural auxiliary verbs, which incorrectly agree with the singular subject "series."

Thus, "has been" ensures both subject-verb agreement and correct passive voice.

This question assesses knowledge of classical Urdu poetry and the works of its most influential poets. "Iblees Ki Majlis-e-Shura" (The Council of Satan) is a profound philosophical poem.

• The correct option is علامہ اقبال (Allama Iqbal). He is the celebrated author of "Iblees Ki Majlis-e-Shura." This profound philosophical poem is a significant part of his collection "Bal-e-Jibril" and explores complex themes of modernity, human destiny, and the role of evil in the universe.
• Distractors: فراق گورکھپوری (Firaq Gorakhpuri) was a renowned Urdu poet known for his romantic ghazals. جوش ملیح آبادی (Josh Malihabadi) was a revolutionary poet, often called "Shair-e-Inqilab." مظہر الحق (Mazhar-ul-Haq) is not associated with this particular literary work.

Baseball is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams, each with a specific number of players on the field at one time. The standard rules of baseball dictate the composition of a team during play.

• A standard baseball team has 9 players on the field at any given time. These positions typically include a pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, and three outfielders (left, center, and right).
• Options A (7), B (8), and D (10) are incorrect. While some variations of baseball or softball might have different numbers of players, the traditional and most common form of baseball involves nine players actively participating on the field for each team.

This number is crucial for understanding the game's strategy and dynamics.

The term 'environment' broadly refers to the sum of all external conditions and influences affecting the life and development of an organism or ecosystem. It is a holistic concept, integrating various natural sciences.

• Geology is intrinsically related as it studies the Earth's solid features, including landforms, rocks, and soil, which form the physical foundation of many environments.
• The Atmosphere, the gaseous envelope surrounding Earth, is crucial for climate, weather patterns, and sustaining life, making it a fundamental environmental component.
• Hydrology, the study of water's movement, distribution, and quality, is directly linked to the environment through oceans, rivers, lakes, and groundwater, all vital for ecosystems.

Since the environment encompasses the lithosphere (geology), atmosphere, and hydrosphere (hydrology), along with the biosphere, all these disciplines are interconnected and essential for understanding environmental systems. Therefore, 'All of these' is the correct and comprehensive answer.

The ozone layer, located in the Earth's stratosphere, plays a critical role in absorbing harmful solar radiation before it reaches the planet's surface, thereby protecting all forms of life.

• The correct option is Ultraviolet. The ozone layer primarily absorbs the vast majority of the sun's harmful Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Exposure to excessive UV radiation can lead to severe health issues like skin cancer, cataracts, and can also cause significant damage to ecosystems.
• Distractors: "Microwave" radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum but is not significantly absorbed by the ozone layer. "Infrared" radiation is largely responsible for heating the Earth, but the ozone layer's main protective function is not against it. "Sigma" radiation is not a standard term for a type of electromagnetic radiation.

The term "laughing gas" refers to a specific chemical compound known for its anesthetic and analgesic properties, often used in medical and dental procedures to reduce pain and anxiety. It can also induce a state of euphoria, hence its common name.

• The correct answer is Nitrous Oxide (N2O). This compound is a colorless, non-flammable gas that has been used for over a century in various medical applications.
• Option B, Sulfur Oxide (SOx), refers to a group of compounds, often pollutants, and is not laughing gas.
• Option C, Carbon Dioxide (CO2), is a common greenhouse gas essential for life but has no euphoric or anesthetic properties like laughing gas.
• Option D, "None," is incorrect because Nitrous Oxide is indeed the correct answer.

Understanding common chemical names is important in general knowledge.

The Nehru Report holds a pivotal place in India's struggle for independence, representing an early attempt by Indian leaders to draft a constitutional framework for self-governance.

• The report was presented in 1928 by a committee chaired by Motilal Nehru, a distinguished lawyer and prominent nationalist leader. This foundational document proposed dominion status for India within the British Empire, advocating for a federal system of government and fundamental rights, in response to the British challenge for Indians to create their own constitution.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, Motilal's son and India's future first Prime Minister, was a member of the committee but not its chairman or the primary presenter of the report.
• Mahatma Gandhi, while the spiritual leader of the independence movement, was not directly involved in drafting or presenting this specific constitutional proposal.

Therefore, Motilal Nehru is correctly identified as the individual who presented this landmark report.

This question tests knowledge of significant historical inventions and their timelines, specifically focusing on the invention of the telephone, which revolutionized global communication.

• The correct option is 1876. Alexander Graham Bell was granted the first U.S. patent for the telephone on March 7, 1876. This pivotal event marked the official invention of the telephone, ushering in a new era of instant long-distance communication.
• Distractors: "1856" and "1866" are too early; Bell was still conducting experiments and developing his concepts during these periods. "1888" is too late; by this time, the telephone was already in commercial use and undergoing further technological advancements and widespread adoption.

Pakistan's motorway network is a system of high-speed, controlled-access highways connecting major cities. Each motorway is designated with an 'M' followed by a number, indicating its specific route.

• The M-2 Motorway is a vital artery in Pakistan's transportation infrastructure, connecting the two major cities of Lahore and Islamabad. It was the first motorway to be completed in Pakistan, significantly reducing travel time between the provincial capital of Punjab and the federal capital.
• Option A, Lahore–Multan, is served by the M-3 Motorway.
• Option C, Multan–Sukkur, is part of the M-5 Motorway.
• Option D, Peshawar–Islamabad, is covered by the M-1 Motorway.

Knowing the routes of major motorways is essential for geographical and logistical understanding of the region.

The javelin throw is a demanding track and field event requiring a combination of strength, technique, and speed. Standardized rules, set by World Athletics, govern the dimensions of the throwing area to ensure fair competition.

• The minimum length of the runway for the javelin throw is precisely 30 meters. This foundational specification allows athletes sufficient space to generate the necessary speed and momentum before releasing the javelin, which is critical for achieving optimal throwing distances.
• The rules also stipulate a maximum runway length of 36.5 meters.
• Options B (35m) and C (32m) are incorrect because while they fall within the permissible range (30m-36.5m), they are not the specified minimum length.
• Option D (40m) is incorrect as it exceeds the maximum allowed runway length, making it non-compliant with official regulations.

Therefore, 30m is the accurate minimum length for the javelin throw runway.

An isthmus is precisely defined as a narrow strip of land that connects two larger landmasses while separating two bodies of water. A classic example is the Isthmus of Panama, connecting North and South America and separating the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

• A strait is the opposite: a narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water.
• A bay is a broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward.
• A weir is a low dam built across a river to alter its flow.

Therefore, "Isthmus" is the only term that accurately describes the geographical feature mentioned, highlighting a key concept in physical geography.

Antarctica is famously known as the “Land of Penguins” because it is home to a vast majority of the world's penguin population. Several species, including Emperor and Adélie penguins, thrive in its unique icy and remote environment, which provides ideal breeding and feeding grounds. This makes option B the accurate answer.

• Asia (A) is the largest continent with diverse wildlife, but not primarily associated with penguins.
• Europe (C) has no native penguin species.
• Africa (D) is home to the African penguin, but its population is relatively small compared to the vast numbers found in Antarctica.

The question asks about the surface on which figure skating is performed. The correct answer is Ice. Figure skating is an Olympic sport where athletes perform intricate spins, jumps, and choreographed movements while wearing skates with blades designed for gliding on a frozen surface. The very nature of the sport, including its name, directly implies its performance on ice.

• Grass is used for sports like football or golf.
• Futsal is a type of indoor soccer played on a hard court.
• While some practice rinks might use synthetic rink surfaces, competitive and professional figure skating is exclusively performed on natural ice.

Understanding the fundamental requirements of the sport clarifies the correct surface.

To find the total amount, we need to understand that Rs. 7885 represents 10% of the whole. If 10% of the total amount is Rs. 7885, then to find 100% (the total amount), we can multiply Rs. 7885 by 10. The calculation is straightforward: 7885 × 10 = 78850. Therefore, the total amount is Rs. 78850.

• Options like Rs 70050, Rs 59850, and Rs 55850 are incorrect calculations, likely resulting from misinterpreting the percentage or performing incorrect arithmetic operations.

This problem tests basic percentage calculation skills, which are fundamental in everyday financial literacy.

During the First Round Table Conference held in London (1930-1931), Sir Agha Khan III led the Muslim League delegation. He played a pivotal role in representing the interests and demands of the Muslim community in British India during these crucial constitutional discussions. His leadership was instrumental in advocating for separate electorates and other safeguards for Muslims. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

• Tabin Khan (A) is not a recognized leader of the Muslim League delegation at this conference.
• Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (B) was also a prominent participant but Sir Agha Khan led the Muslim League delegation.
• Allama Iqbal (D) was a significant figure and participant, but he did not lead the Muslim League delegation at the First Round Table Conference.

The question tests knowledge of future tense in English grammar. The phrase "next year" clearly indicates a future event. Therefore, the correct verb form is will go. This uses the simple future tense, formed with "will" + base form of the verb, to express a future action or intention.

• go is the simple present tense, used for habitual actions or general truths, not a specific future event.
• will going is grammatically incorrect; "will" must be followed by the base form of the verb (go), not the present participle.
• is going is present continuous, which can indicate a future plan, but "will go" is the most direct and grammatically sound simple future expression for this context. "Is going" alone implies present action.

The sentence "I know why people are making noise" is a complex sentence. A complex sentence is characterized by having one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. In this sentence, "I know" is the independent clause, which can stand alone as a complete thought. The phrase "why people are making noise" is a dependent noun clause that functions as the direct object of the verb "know." It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

• A simple sentence has only one independent clause.
• A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses.
• A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Understanding clause structure is crucial for identifying sentence types.

A muscle pull, in technical medical terms, is referred to as a strain. This injury involves the stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon, which is the fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone. Strains typically occur when a muscle is overstretched or contracts too quickly, leading to damage to its fibers.

• Option A, "Sprain," is incorrect because a sprain refers specifically to the stretching or tearing of ligaments, which are the fibrous tissues connecting bones to other bones at a joint.
• Option C, "Abrasion," is a superficial injury to the skin caused by rubbing or scraping.
• Option D, "Tear," is a general term that can apply to various tissues but "strain" is the precise medical term for a muscle or tendon tear.

The question asks through which medium sound travels fastest. The correct answer is Solid. Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium to propagate by vibrating its particles. In solids, particles are much closer together and more tightly packed than in liquids or gases. This close proximity and strong intermolecular forces allow vibrations to be transmitted more efficiently and rapidly from one particle to the next, resulting in the fastest sound transmission.

• In Liquid, particles are further apart, leading to slower sound.
• In Gas, particles are widely dispersed, causing the slowest sound speed.
• Vacuum has no particles, so sound cannot travel at all.

The literal meaning of philosophy is derived from ancient Greek words: "philos," meaning love, and "sophia," meaning wisdom. Thus, philosophy literally translates to "love of wisdom." This foundational understanding reflects the discipline's core pursuit: a deep and rational inquiry into fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.

• While "love of truth," "love of history," and "love of values" are related to philosophical inquiry, they do not capture the precise etymological origin and comprehensive scope implied by "love of wisdom."

The term emphasizes the pursuit and appreciation of profound understanding.

The Fosbury Flop is a revolutionary high jump technique introduced by American athlete Dick Fosbury. He famously used this technique to win the gold medal in the high jump event at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. This method involves approaching the bar diagonally, leaping off the outside foot, and going over the bar head-first with the back facing the bar, which was a radical departure from previous techniques.

• Option A, "Triple jump," involves three distinct phases: a hop, a step, and a jump.
• Option C, "Long jump," is a single horizontal jump for distance.
• Option D, "Pole vault," involves using a long, flexible pole to clear a high bar. These events utilize entirely different techniques and equipment.

The question asks for the country where Alhaurín el Grande is located. The correct answer is Spain. Alhaurín el Grande is a municipality situated in the province of Málaga, within the autonomous community of Andalusia, in southern Spain. The name itself, with its Spanish linguistic characteristics and the suffix "el Grande" (the Great), is indicative of its Spanish origin and location.

• Italy, Poland, and Germany are European countries with distinct geographical locations and naming conventions for their towns and cities. Alhaurín el Grande is not located in any of these nations.

Geographical knowledge of European towns and their linguistic patterns helps identify the correct country.

A severe deficiency of Vitamin D primarily results in Rickets in children. Rickets is a condition characterized by soft, weak bones, bone pain, and impaired growth, caused by the body's inability to properly absorb calcium and phosphate, which Vitamin D facilitates.

• Scurvy is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin C.
• Night blindness is typically associated with Vitamin A deficiency.
• While Osteoporosis involves bone density loss, it is primarily an adult condition, and severe Vitamin D deficiency in adults leads to osteomalacia, which is distinct from childhood rickets.

Understanding the specific health consequences of vitamin deficiencies is crucial for health and nutrition knowledge.

The Sufi philosophy of Wahdat-ul-Wujud, meaning "Unity of Being" or "Oneness of Existence," posits that there is no true existence apart from God. The most prominent and influential proponent of this profound metaphysical concept was the Andalusian Muslim scholar and mystic, Ibn Arabi (1165–1240). His extensive writings deeply explored the idea that all creation is a manifestation of the divine essence.

• Option A, "Al-Farabi," was a renowned philosopher and polymath, but his primary contributions were in logic, political philosophy, and music.
• Option B, "Al-Hussin," is not a widely recognized figure associated with this specific philosophy.
• Option C, "Shah Wali Ullah," was an 18th-century Indian Islamic scholar who attempted to reconcile Wahdat-ul-Wujud with Wahdat-ush-Shuhud, but he was not its original proponent.

The question refers to the number of states demanded in the Lahore Resolution. The correct answer is 2. The Lahore Resolution, passed on March 23, 1940, by the All-India Muslim League, called for the creation of "Independent States" in the Muslim-majority areas of British India. While the wording was initially somewhat ambiguous, it was widely interpreted as a demand for two separate Muslim-majority states: one in the North-Western zone and another in the Eastern zone, which eventually led to the formation of Pakistan (comprising West and East Pakistan).

• 8 and 4 are incorrect numbers.
• None of these is false, as the resolution clearly demanded independent states.