PAF GD Pilot Initial Test key terms

A word that carries the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in a given context, such as 'begin' and 'start'. Synonym questions test whether you can pick the closest matching meaning from the options given.

A word that means the opposite of another word, such as 'hot' and 'cold' or 'expand' and 'contract'. Antonym questions ask you to choose the option with the reverse meaning of the given word.

A fixed group of words whose meaning cannot be worked out from the individual words, such as 'to let the cat out of the bag' meaning to reveal a secret. Idioms must be learnt as whole expressions.

A small word placed before a noun or pronoun to show position, direction or time, such as in, on, under, between and since. Correct choice of preposition often decides whether a sentence sounds natural.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb, even when extra words sit between them.

A sentence pattern in which the object of the action becomes the subject, as in 'The letter was written by Ali'. It is formed with a form of 'be' plus the past participle of the main verb.

A way of expressing a number as a part of one hundred, so 25% means 25 out of every 100. To find a percentage of a quantity, multiply the quantity by the percentage and divide by 100.

A comparison of two or more quantities of the same kind, written as 3:2 or as a fraction. It shows how many times one amount contains another rather than the actual sizes involved.

The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values in the set. It gives one figure that represents the whole group and is used in many speed, age and marks problems.

The lowest common multiple is the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more given numbers. For example, the LCM of 4 and 6 is 12, and it is useful when adding fractions.

The distance covered in a unit of time, usually written as kilometres per hour or metres per second. Speed equals distance divided by time, and units must be converted before dividing.

Money paid for the use of borrowed or saved money, calculated only on the original amount and not on interest already earned. The formula is principal multiplied by rate multiplied by time, divided by 100.

The rate at which velocity changes with time, whether the object speeds up, slows down or changes direction. It is measured in metres per second squared and equals change in velocity divided by time taken.

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. When one body pushes or pulls another, the second body pushes or pulls back with the same size of force in the opposite direction.

The mass of a substance packed into a unit of volume, found by dividing mass by volume. Denser objects sink in fluids of lower density, and the unit is kilograms per cubic metre.

The current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage across it, provided the temperature stays constant. It is written as V = IR, where R is resistance in ohms.

The bending of light as it passes from one transparent medium into another of different optical density, such as from air into water. It happens because the speed of light changes between media.

In physics, work is done when a force moves an object through a distance in the direction of the force. It is measured in joules and equals force multiplied by distance moved.

A question that gives a pair of items with a fixed relationship and asks you to find another pair with the same relationship, for example 'doctor is to hospital as teacher is to school'.

A set of items in which all but one share a common property or follow a hidden rule. You must identify the single item that does not fit that shared property.

A sequence of numbers, letters or figures that follows a hidden rule, such as adding 3 each time or doubling. You work out the rule and then predict the next or missing item.

A puzzle in which words or letters are replaced by other letters, numbers or symbols using a fixed rule. You identify the rule from the example and apply it to a new word.

A logic problem that gives two or more statements assumed to be true and asks which conclusion must follow from them. Only a conclusion that is certain in every case counts as valid.

The reflection of a figure as it would appear in a mirror placed to its side or below it. Left and right are reversed while top and bottom normally stay unchanged.

Reasoning puzzles that describe family links in words, such as 'the son of my mother's brother'. You draw a small family tree to work out how the two people are related.

Gross Domestic Product is the total market value of all goods and services produced inside a country during a year. It is widely used to compare the size and growth of economies.

The right of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to block a resolution by voting against it, even when most other members support the resolution.

A 1960 agreement between Pakistan and India, helped by the World Bank, that divides the rivers of the Indus basin. Pakistan was given the western rivers and India the eastern rivers.

The Islamic belief that Allah is one, with no partner or equal, and alone deserves worship. It is the central teaching of Islam and the first part of the declaration of faith.

The compulsory yearly charity in Islam, paid on wealth that is above a fixed minimum and has been held for a full lunar year. It is normally one-fortieth, or two and a half percent, of savings.

The migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. This event marks the starting point of the Islamic lunar calendar.

A resolution passed by Pakistan's first Constituent Assembly in 1949 that set out the aims of the future constitution, including Islamic principles, justice, freedom and equal rights for all citizens.

The 1940 resolution of the All India Muslim League, moved by Maulvi Fazlul Haq at Lahore, demanding independent states for the Muslim-majority regions of the subcontinent. It is seen as the foundation of Pakistan.

The idea that the Muslims and Hindus of the subcontinent were two separate nations with different beliefs, culture and way of life, and so Muslims needed a homeland of their own. It formed the basis of the Pakistan Movement.