PPSC Past Papers & Solved MCQs

The conquest of Orpris, commonly known as Cyprus, by Muslim forces occurred in the 28th Hijri year (28 H). This significant historical event took place during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan, specifically around 649 CE. The island of Cyprus was strategically important in the Mediterranean, and its conquest marked an expansion of early Islamic influence and naval power.

• The other options, 30 H, 32 H, and 29 H, are incorrect dates for this specific historical conquest.

Accurate knowledge of key historical dates and events is essential for understanding the timeline of early Islamic history and its geographical expansion.

Protein digestion begins in the stomach with pepsin, but its completion primarily occurs in the small intestine. Specifically, the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine, is where the bulk of protein digestion is completed. Here, pancreatic enzymes like trypsin and chymotrypsin, along with brush border enzymes, break down polypeptides into smaller peptides and amino acids, which are then absorbed.

• Option B, "Stomach," initiates protein digestion but does not complete it.
• Options C, "Jejunum," and D, "Ileum," are subsequent parts of the small intestine where absorption of nutrients, including amino acids, predominantly takes place, but the major enzymatic breakdown of proteins into absorbable units is largely finished in the duodenum.

The question asks which greenhouse gas primarily causes an increase in environmental temperature. The correct answer is Carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 is the most significant anthropogenic greenhouse gas, meaning it is largely produced by human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels. It traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, enhancing the natural greenhouse effect and leading to global warming and climate change.

• Nitrogen is the most abundant atmospheric gas but is not a greenhouse gas.
• Carbon monoxide is a toxic air pollutant but not a primary direct greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.
• Sulfur compounds contribute to acid rain and aerosols, but elemental sulfur is not a greenhouse gas responsible for temperature increases.

According to the official rules of World Athletics, the standard width for the javelin runway is 4 meters. This specific dimension is crucial for ensuring fair competition and athlete safety in the javelin throw event. The runway provides the athlete with a defined area to build momentum before releasing the javelin, and its precise width is part of the standardized regulations that govern track and field sports globally.

• Options such as 2 meters, 1.5 meters, and 2.5 meters are incorrect widths according to international athletic standards.

Adhering to these specifications is vital for the integrity and consistency of athletic competitions.

The question tests geographical knowledge, specifically identifying cities with their respective countries. Salgótarján is indeed a city located in northern Hungary, serving as the capital of Nógrád county. It is an important industrial and administrative center within Hungary, known for its historical mining activities and post-war reconstruction. Understanding the location of significant cities is a fundamental aspect of geography.

• Maldives is an island nation in South Asia, with its capital being Malé.
• Albania is a country in Southeast Europe, whose capital is Tirana.
• Finland is a Nordic country, with its capital being Helsinki.

These distractors represent distinct countries with their own unique urban centers, none of which include Salgótarján.

The word "callous" describes someone who is insensitive, unfeeling, or shows a cruel disregard for others' feelings. Therefore, its direct antonym would be a word that expresses the opposite quality: compassion, empathy, or benevolence. "Kind" perfectly fits this description, meaning friendly, generous, and considerate.

• While "sensitive" implies awareness of feelings, "kind" more directly contrasts the lack of compassion in "callous."
• "Tender" can mean delicate or gentle, but "kind" is a stronger antonym for the emotional disposition.
• "Careless" is unrelated to the meaning of callous, referring to a lack of attention or concern for consequences, not feelings.

Understanding antonyms enhances vocabulary and comprehension.

The amount of blood the heart pumps with each beat is precisely defined as the stroke volume. This fundamental physiological measurement is crucial for assessing cardiac function and overall cardiovascular health. It represents the volume of blood ejected from the left ventricle (or right ventricle) during a single contraction.

• Option A, "Tidal volume," refers to the amount of air inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing, related to respiratory function, not cardiac.
• Option B, "Cardiac output," is the total volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, which is calculated by multiplying stroke volume by heart rate.
• Option D, "Blood volume," refers to the total amount of blood circulating in the body, not the amount pumped per beat.

This question delves into the historical origins of organized leisure and public recreation. The United States is widely recognized as the pioneer in the modern recreation movement, particularly from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This era saw the establishment of national parks, playgrounds, and organized leisure activities, driven by social reformers and urban planning initiatives. The concept of public recreation for all citizens gained significant traction here, laying the groundwork for contemporary recreation services.

• Algeria, Finland, and Germany, while having their own cultural and recreational practices, were not the primary historical pioneers of the comprehensive, organized recreation movement on a global scale.

Energy is the fundamental capacity to do work, which is defined as the transfer of energy that occurs when a force is applied over a distance. This foundational concept in physics explains that any action requiring effort or causing a change in state involves energy. Therefore, option A is precisely accurate.

• Force (B) is a push or pull that can cause an object to accelerate, but it is not the capacity to do work itself; it is what performs the work.
• Motion (C) is the act of changing position or location, which is often a result of work being done, rather than the capacity to do it.
• Momentum (D) is a measure of the mass and velocity of an object, indicating its quantity of motion, but it does not represent the inherent capacity to perform work.

Muscle fatigue, particularly during intense exercise, is primarily attributed to the accumulation of lactic acid. When muscles work anaerobically (without sufficient oxygen), glucose is broken down into pyruvate, which is then converted to lactate (lactic acid). This buildup lowers the pH within muscle cells, interfering with muscle contraction mechanisms and leading to the sensation of fatigue and soreness.

• Option A, "Carbon dioxide," is a waste product of aerobic respiration, but its accumulation primarily affects blood pH and respiratory drive, not directly causing muscle fatigue in the same way as lactic acid.
• Option C, "Alcohol," is a metabolic byproduct not typically produced in significant amounts by muscle cells during exercise.
• Option D, "Urea," is a waste product of protein metabolism, excreted by the kidneys, and not directly linked to acute muscle fatigue.

This question pertains to document formatting and academic citation styles. An end note is a reference, explanation, or comment placed specifically at the end of a document, chapter, or section. Its purpose is to provide additional information or cite sources without interrupting the main text flow on the page where the reference occurs. This placement at the very end distinguishes it from other document elements.

• A footer is a section at the bottom of every page, typically for page numbers or document titles.
• A header is a section at the top of every page, similar to a footer but at the top.
• A footnote is placed at the bottom of the specific page where the referenced text appears.

These distractors are incorrect because they are either page-specific or serve different formatting purposes.

Summative assessment aims to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit, course, or academic year. Its primary purpose is to summarize what students have learned and to assign grades or certify competence. Therefore, option B, 'End of course,' accurately describes its main objective.

• Instruction before class (A) is not an aim of summative assessment; this might relate to pre-assessment or diagnostic activities.
• Find problem (C) is typically a goal of diagnostic assessment, which identifies learning difficulties.
• Check student weakness (D) is more aligned with formative assessment, which provides ongoing feedback to improve learning during instruction, rather than summarizing it at the end.

The French Open, one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, is famously known by its alternative name, Roland Garros. This name honors Roland Garros, a pioneering French aviator who was the first to fly solo across the Mediterranean Sea. The tournament is held annually at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France, and is the only Grand Slam played on clay courts, making it unique and challenging for players.

• Option A, "US Open," and Option D, "Australian Open," are distinct Grand Slam tournaments held in different countries and on different surfaces (hard court).
• Option B, "French Open," is simply the common English name for the tournament, while "Roland Garros" is its official and widely used French name, referring to the venue and the person it commemorates.

This question tests English grammar, specifically subject-verb agreement and the passive voice. The sentence "The thief ___ caught" requires a singular past tense auxiliary verb because "thief" is a singular subject and the action "caught" is in the passive voice, meaning the thief was acted upon. "Was" correctly forms the past simple passive construction, indicating a completed action in the past. The second clause, "the police recovered the stolen goods," is also in the past simple, maintaining tense consistency.

• "Had" forms the past perfect ("had been caught"), which is incorrect for a simple past event.
• "Has" forms the present perfect ("has been caught"), which is incorrect for a past event.
• "Were" is a plural past tense auxiliary verb, incorrect for the singular subject "thief."

The question asks for the full designation of a US theatre-level unified combatant command of the Department of Defense. The correct answer is USCENTCOM, which stands for United States Central Command. This foundational concept relates to the organizational structure of the US military, where unified combatant commands are established to provide command and control of military forces for specific geographic regions or functional areas. USCENTCOM is responsible for US security interests in 21 nations, including the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia. Distractor CENTCOM is merely an abbreviation and not the full, official designation as requested. Therefore, "Both" is incorrect because CENTCOM is not the complete name. "None" is incorrect as USCENTCOM is a valid and correct option.

The Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD) was a significant political alliance formed in Pakistan in 1981. Its primary objective was to oppose the military government and dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq, advocating for the restoration of democratic rule and the 1973 Constitution. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

• Yahya Khan (B) was a military ruler before Zia-ul-Haq, but the MRD specifically targeted Zia's regime.
• Ayub Khan (C) was another military dictator, but his rule preceded the formation of the MRD.
• Pervaiz Musharraf (D) came to power much later, and the MRD had largely dissolved by then, though similar movements emerged against his rule.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, revered as Quaid-e-Azam, the founder of Pakistan, began his illustrious legal and political career early. After returning to India from England, where he had studied law, he was appointed as a Presidency Magistrate in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1900. This appointment marked a significant step in his professional life, providing him with valuable experience in the legal system before he fully immersed himself in politics and the movement for an independent Pakistan.

• Options B, "1905," C, "1906," and D, "1903," are incorrect dates. While Jinnah's political activism intensified in the years following his magistracy, his initial appointment to this judicial role occurred specifically in 1900.

The question asks about the primary form of energy produced directly in nuclear fission. The correct answer is Thermal energy. Nuclear fission is a process where the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a tremendous amount of energy, predominantly in the form of heat. This foundational concept is central to how nuclear power plants operate, where this thermal energy is used to heat water, produce steam, and drive turbines to generate electricity. Distractor Electrical energy is the end product after conversion from thermal energy, not the direct output of fission. Chemical energy is associated with chemical reactions, not nuclear processes. Gas is not a form of energy produced by fission. Thus, thermal energy is the direct and primary output.

The Biafo Glacier is one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions, renowned for its immense size and stunning landscape. It is located in the Karakoram mountain range, specifically in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The Karakoram is famous for its high peaks and extensive glacial systems, making option B the correct answer.

• The Pir Panjal range (A) is part of the Lesser Himalayas, located further south.
• The Himalaya range (C) is a distinct mountain system, though geographically close, the Biafo Glacier is specifically within the Karakoram.
• The Hindukush range (D) is located to the west of the Karakoram, primarily in Afghanistan and northern Pakistan.

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, is a water-distribution treaty brokered by the World Bank. It divided the six rivers of the Indus system into two groups. Pakistan was granted exclusive rights to the waters of the "Western Rivers," which include the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. India retained control over the "Eastern Rivers." This treaty has largely endured despite political tensions, regulating water sharing between the two nations.

• Option A, "Ravi, Sutlej, Beas," represents the Eastern Rivers, whose waters were allocated to India.
• Options B and C incorrectly mix rivers from both categories. The treaty's core principle was the clear division of the rivers to ensure equitable water distribution for irrigation and other uses in both countries.

The question requires the correct phrasal verb to complete the sentence "The police are -----the incident." The correct answer is Looking into. The phrasal verb "look into" means to investigate, examine, or inquire about something, which is precisely what police do when dealing with an incident. This foundational concept is about understanding idiomatic English expressions. Distractor Looking on means to observe an event without participating, which is not the role of the police in an incident. Looking for means to search for something or someone, implying a missing item or person, not an investigation of an event. Looking at means to observe or consider, but "looking into" implies a more thorough and active investigation, making it the most appropriate choice for police action regarding an incident.

In Microsoft Word, the File tab (often referred to as the Backstage view) is the primary location for managing documents and application settings. It provides essential commands such as 'Open,' 'Save,' 'Save As,' 'Print,' and 'New,' which are fundamental for file operations. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

• The Home tab (A) contains common editing and formatting tools like font styles, paragraph settings, and clipboard functions.
• The Insert tab (B) is used for adding various elements to a document, including tables, pictures, shapes, and headers/footers.
• The View tab (D) controls how the document is displayed on the screen, offering options like different document views, zoom levels, and window arrangements.

The question addresses communities facing targeted violence in Balochistan. The Hazara community is the correct answer because they are a Shia Muslim ethnic group predominantly residing in Quetta, Balochistan, and have been subjected to severe sectarian violence and targeted killings by extremist groups for decades. This persecution is due to their distinct ethnic identity and religious beliefs.

• Brahuis are an indigenous ethnic group of Balochistan, but they are not the primary targets of sectarian violence in the same systematic way as the Hazaras.
• Turkmens and Uzbeks are Central Asian ethnic groups with minimal presence in Balochistan and are not associated with widespread target killings in the region.

Understanding the socio-political landscape and ethnic conflicts in Balochistan is crucial here.

The question asks for a word describing a "thing liable to break easily." The most precise answer is Brittle. Brittle describes a material that is hard but breaks or shatters easily when subjected to stress, without significant plastic deformation. This foundational concept relates to material science and properties. Distractor Breakable is a general term meaning capable of being broken, but "brittle" specifically refers to the material's inherent property of shattering. Ductile is the opposite of brittle; it describes a material that can be drawn out into a thin wire without losing toughness, meaning it deforms before breaking. Fragile is similar to breakable, implying delicacy and ease of damage, but "brittle" more accurately captures the material's characteristic of shattering rather than bending or deforming.