PPSC One-Paper MCQ key terms

A word that carries essentially the same meaning as another word in a given context, such as 'begin' and 'commence'. English papers test recognition of near-equivalents, so candidates must judge shades of meaning rather than exact identity.

A word whose meaning is opposite to another, such as 'scarce' and 'abundant'. Questions often ask for the antonym of a word in a sentence, so the surrounding context decides which opposite is correct.

A comparison question stating a relationship between one pair of words and asking for a second pair with the same relationship, for example doctor to hospital as teacher to school. The relationship type must match, not just the topic.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as 'to bury the hatchet' meaning to end a quarrel. Idiom questions ask for the correct figurative meaning in a sentence.

A verb combined with an adverb or preposition that produces a new meaning, such as 'give up' meaning to quit. The particle changes meaning entirely, so candidates must learn each combination rather than guess.

A small word such as in, on, at, of, or with that links a noun or pronoun to another element and shows relations of place, time, or manner. Correct choice depends on fixed usage, as in 'depend on'.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, so a singular subject takes a singular verb. Errors usually appear when phrases sit between the subject and verb, or with collective nouns.

Voice shows whether the subject performs or receives the action. Active voice states the doer first; passive voice places the receiver first and uses a form of 'be' with the past participle, often omitting the doer.

Direct speech quotes a speaker's exact words inside quotation marks; indirect speech reports them without quotes and shifts pronouns and tenses back, for example 'I am tired' becoming 'he said he was tired'.

وہ الفاظ جن کے معنی قریب قریب ایک جیسے ہوں، جیسے 'خوش' اور 'مسرور'۔ اردو پیپر میں کسی لفظ کا ہم معنی لفظ پوچھا جاتا ہے، اس لیے سیاق و سباق کو دیکھنا ضروری ہے۔

وہ لفظ جو کسی دوسرے لفظ کے معنی کے اُلٹ ہو، جیسے 'روشنی' اور 'اندھیرا'۔ سوال میں اکثر کسی لفظ کا اُلٹ مطلب پوچھا جاتا ہے اور جملے کا سیاق فیصلہ کرتا ہے۔

ایسا مستعمل فقرہ جس کا مطلب الفاظ کے لغوی معنی سے نہیں نکلتا، جیسے 'آنکھ کا تارا' یعنی بہت پیارا۔ سوال میں محاورے کا درست مفہوم پوچھا جاتا ہے۔

مختصر مقبول کہاوت جو عام تجربے کی بات کہتی ہے، جیسے 'ناچ نہ جانے آنگن ٹیڑھا'۔ پیپر میں اس کا پس منظر یا مناسب موقع پوچھا جاتا ہے۔

شاعری کے وزن اور بحر کا علم، جس سے معلوم ہوتا ہے کہ مصرعے کسی بحر میں درست ہیں یا نہیں۔ ایم سی کیو میں اکثر بحر یا رکن کی پہچان پوچھی جاتی ہے۔

The Islamic belief that God is one, unique, and without partner, and alone worthy of worship. It is the foundation of Islamic creed and the first point taught in Islamic Studies questions on belief.

The belief that God sent prophets and messengers to convey guidance to humanity, ending with Prophet Muhammad. Questions often ask the number of prophets, the names of major scriptures, or the finality of prophethood.

Belief in the life after death, including the resurrection, the Day of Judgement, and reward or punishment. It is one of the articles of Islamic faith and appears in questions about pillars of belief.

An obligatory annual charity on qualifying wealth held for a lunar year, paid at one-fortieth, that is 2.5 percent, to specified categories of recipients. It is the third pillar of Islam and a frequent calculation question.

The minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must hold before Zakat becomes due, commonly the value of about 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver. Exam questions test the threshold and the rate.

The pilgrimage to Makkah performed in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, obligatory once in a lifetime for Muslims who are able. Questions cover its rites, such as ihram, tawaf, sa'i, and standing at Arafah.

The idea that Muslims of the subcontinent formed a separate nation with a distinct faith, culture, and way of life, which justified a separate homeland. Questions link it to the Two-Nation Theory and to key speeches.

The principle that Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations with different religions, cultures, and social systems, and therefore could not share one state after British withdrawal. It is the central argument behind the demand for Pakistan.

The resolution passed at the All-India Muslim League session in Lahore in March 1940, demanding independent states in the Muslim-majority regions. It is often called the Pakistan Resolution and marked a turning point.

The resolution moved in the Constituent Assembly in March 1949 by Liaquat Ali Khan, setting out that sovereignty belongs to God and that Muslims would be enabled to live by Islamic principles. It shaped later constitutions.

Pakistan's present constitution, passed in April 1973 and enforced in August 1973, establishing a parliamentary federal system with a bicameral legislature. It declares Islam the state religion and has been amended many times.

The shortfall that occurs when a government's total expenditure exceeds its total revenue in a year, usually covered by borrowing. Current affairs questions link it to budgeting, taxation, and conditions set by international lenders.

A sustained rise in the general price level, which reduces the purchasing power of money. It is commonly measured by the Consumer Price Index, and exam questions ask for causes, effects, or the meaning of the rate.

A situation where a country's payments for imports, services, and transfers exceed its receipts from exports and similar inflows. It is financed by loans, investment, or reserves, and is often discussed alongside exchange-rate pressure.

The process by which green plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make glucose and release oxygen, with chlorophyll as the pigment that captures light. Questions test the raw materials, products, and site of the reaction.

The green pigment in plant chloroplasts that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis. Questions ask its location, its metal content, which is magnesium, and why leaves appear green.

The release of energy from food, usually glucose, inside living cells, using oxygen in aerobic forms and producing carbon dioxide and water. It is the reverse of photosynthesis in terms of gas exchange.

A preparation that trains the immune system to recognise a pathogen by presenting a weakened, inactivated, or partial form of it, so later exposure causes a faster, stronger response. Questions cover types and the principle of immunity.

A medicine that kills or stops the growth of bacteria, and therefore has no effect on viruses. Questions often test misuse, resistance, and the difference between bacterial and viral infections.

A comparison of two quantities of the same kind, written as a to b, a:b, or as a fraction. Problems usually require simplifying a ratio or dividing a total in a given ratio.

A fraction expressed out of one hundred, so 25 percent equals 25 out of 100 or one quarter. Questions ask for increase, decrease, or the original value before a change.

The sum of a set of values divided by how many values there are, also called the arithmetic mean. Problems often give the average and ask for a missing value or a new average after a change.

The core software that manages hardware, files, memory, and programs, and provides the interface a user works through, such as Windows, Linux, or Android. Questions test its functions and examples.

Random Access Memory is the volatile working memory where a computer holds data and instructions currently in use. Its contents vanish when power is lost, unlike storage such as a hard disk.

A numeric label assigned to a device on a network so data can be sent to the right place, such as 192.168.1.1 in the older IPv4 format. Questions ask its purpose and the difference between versions.

A narrow waterway connecting two larger bodies of water and separating two land masses, such as the Strait of Hormuz or Bab al-Mandab. Questions ask which countries or seas a strait links.

An elevated area of fairly flat land raised above the surrounding region, often cut by valleys, such as the Potohar or Deccan plateau. Questions test elevation, formation, and location.

The fan-shaped area of deposited silt where a river splits into channels before entering a sea or lake, as at the Indus delta. Questions ask how deltas form and where major ones lie.

A form of deductive argument with two premises and a conclusion, such as all A are B, all B are C, therefore all A are C. Reasoning questions test whether a conclusion necessarily follows.

A statement offered as a reason or evidence in an argument, from which a conclusion is drawn. Identifying premises and conclusions is the first step in evaluating whether reasoning is sound.

An unstated belief that must be true for an argument's conclusion to follow from its evidence. Questions ask which assumption is required or which option weakens the argument by denying it.