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PPSC One-Paper MCQ practice questions

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Question 1English

In the sentence 'The committee submitted its report yesterday', the word 'yesterday' functions as which part of speech?

  1. Adjective
  2. Conjunction
  3. Preposition
  4. Adverb Correct answer.

Explanation

An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often indicating time, manner, or place. Here 'yesterday' tells when the committee submitted the report, so it modifies the verb 'submitted'. It is not describing a noun, so it cannot be an adjective.

Question 2English

Which sentence uses the correct article before a word beginning with a vowel sound?

  1. She waited for a hour at the station.
  2. She waited for the hour at station.
  3. She waited for an hour at the station. Correct answer.
  4. She waited for an hour at a station yesterday.

Explanation

The choice between 'a' and 'an' depends on the initial sound, not the letter. 'Hour' begins with a silent 'h', so its first sound is a vowel and takes 'an'. Option 0 is the only version that is both grammatically and idiomatically sound.

Question 3English

Identify the correct plural form of the compound noun 'mother-in-law'.

  1. mother-in-laws
  2. mothers-in-law Correct answer.
  3. mother-in-law's
  4. mothers-in-laws

Explanation

In compound nouns formed with a prepositional phrase, the head noun is pluralised. The head is 'mother', so the plural is 'mothers-in-law'. The prepositional part stays unchanged.

Question 4English

Which pronoun correctly completes the sentence 'Between you and ____, the plan seems risky'?

  1. I
  2. myself
  3. mine
  4. me Correct answer.

Explanation

A preposition such as 'between' takes the objective case, so the object pronoun 'me' is required. 'I' is a subject pronoun and cannot follow a preposition.

Question 5English

Choose the correct past tense form to complete 'She ____ the letter before lunch'.

  1. writing
  2. written
  3. wrote Correct answer.
  4. writes

Explanation

The simple past tense of 'write' is 'wrote'. 'Written' is the past participle and requires an auxiliary such as 'has'. The sentence describes a completed action, so the simple past is appropriate.

Question 6English

In 'The manager, who arrived late, apologised', the clause 'who arrived late' is best described as which type?

  1. Noun clause
  2. Restrictive relative clause
  3. Non-restrictive relative clause Correct answer.
  4. Adverbial clause of reason

Explanation

The clause is set off by commas and adds extra, non-essential information about the already identified manager. That makes it non-restrictive. A restrictive clause would not be separated by commas and would define which manager is meant.

Question 7English

Which sentence correctly uses the apostrophe to show possession by a plural noun ending in -s?

  1. The students' projects were displayed. Correct answer.
  2. The students's projects were displayed.
  3. The students projects were displayed.
  4. The student's projects were displayed by all.

Explanation

For a plural noun already ending in -s, possession is shown by adding only an apostrophe after the s. Thus 'students'' is correct. Adding another s after the apostrophe to a regular plural is nonstandard.

Question 8English

Which word is the antonym of 'scarce' as used in economic writing?

  1. Abundant Correct answer.
  2. Sparse
  3. Limited
  4. Rare

Explanation

'Scarce' means in short supply, so its antonym is 'abundant', meaning plentiful. The other three options are near-synonyms of scarce rather than opposites.

Question 9English

Select the sentence in which the subject and verb agree correctly.

  1. Neither of the candidate were present.
  2. Neither of the candidates was present. Correct answer.
  3. Neither of the candidates were present.
  4. Neither of the candidates have been present.

Explanation

In formal English, 'neither of' is treated as singular, so it takes the singular verb 'was'. The plural noun after 'of' does not change the number of the subject.

Question 10English

Choose the option that correctly completes 'Hardly ____ entered the hall when the lights failed'.

  1. had he Correct answer.
  2. he had
  3. has he
  4. he has

Explanation

When a sentence begins with a negative adverb such as 'hardly', inversion of auxiliary and subject is required. The past perfect auxiliary 'had' precedes 'he', giving 'had he'. The past perfect also matches the past event in the main clause.

Question 11English

Which sentence uses the correct preposition after the verb 'comply'?

  1. All staff must comply for the new policy.
  2. All staff must comply with the new policy. Correct answer.
  3. All staff must comply to the new policy.
  4. All staff must comply on the new policy.

Explanation

The verb 'comply' is followed by the preposition 'with' to indicate the rule being obeyed. This is a fixed collocation in standard English. Other prepositions do not collocate with 'comply'.

Question 12English

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon.

  1. The report was late; because the manager was displeased.
  2. The report was late; and the manager was displeased.
  3. The report was late; the manager was displeased. Correct answer.
  4. The report; was late the manager was displeased.

Explanation

A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are closely related and not linked by a coordinating conjunction. Option 0 satisfies this by placing the mark between two complete clauses. Using a semicolon before a conjunction or subordinator is generally incorrect.

Question 13English

Which option correctly converts 'The chef prepared the meal' into the passive voice?

  1. The meal prepared by the chef.
  2. The meal has been prepared by the chef.
  3. The meal was prepared by the chef. Correct answer.
  4. The meal is prepared by the chef.

Explanation

The passive voice uses a form of 'be' plus the past participle, and the tense must match the original. The original is simple past, so 'was prepared' is the correct passive equivalent.

Question 14English

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a conditional form for an unreal present situation.

  1. If I were the director, I would restructure the team. Correct answer.
  2. If I am the director, I would restructure the team.
  3. If I were the director, I will restructure the team.
  4. If I was the director, I will restructure the team.

Explanation

Unreal present conditions use the past subjunctive 'were' in the if-clause and 'would' plus the base verb in the main clause. Option 0 follows this pattern consistently. Mixing tenses across the two clauses breaks the structure.

Question 15English

Which word best completes 'The lawyer's argument was so ____ that even the judge was persuaded'?

  1. tedious
  2. ambiguous
  3. cogent Correct answer.
  4. redundant

Explanation

'Cogent' means clear, logical, and convincing, which fits the outcome that the judge was persuaded. The other adjectives describe weak or unclear arguments and contradict the result clause.

Question 16English

Identify the sentence with a correctly used modifier.

  1. Walking down the corridor, the window was broken.
  2. Walking down the corridor, it was noticed that the window was broken.
  3. Walking down the corridor, the broken window was noticed by her.
  4. Walking down the corridor, she noticed the broken window. Correct answer.

Explanation

A participial phrase at the start of a sentence must modify the subject of the main clause. In option 0, 'she' is the one walking, so the modifier is attached correctly. The other options make the window the walker, creating a dangling modifier.

Question 17English

Which sentence uses 'lie' and 'lay' correctly?

  1. Please lay down and rest for a while.
  2. The files have laid on the desk since morning.
  3. Please lay the files on the desk before you leave. Correct answer.
  4. Please lie the files on the desk before you leave.

Explanation

'Lay' is transitive and takes an object, so 'lay the files' is correct. 'Lie' is intransitive and takes no object. The distinction between the two verbs is a common source of error.

Question 18English

In the sentence 'The teacher gave the students extra time', which element is the indirect object?

  1. the students Correct answer.
  2. the teacher
  3. extra time
  4. gave

Explanation

The indirect object is the recipient of the direct object and typically appears before it in this pattern. Here 'the students' receive 'extra time', which is the direct object. The verb 'gave' is the predicate.

Question 19English

Choose the option that correctly completes 'Scarcely had the meeting begun ____ the fire alarm rang'.

  1. that
  2. then
  3. when Correct answer.
  4. than

Explanation

The correlative structure 'scarcely...when' pairs the two events in time. 'Hardly' also pairs with 'when', while 'no sooner' pairs with 'than'. The fixed pairing makes 'when' the only correct choice.

Question 20English

Which sentence best demonstrates correct use of the subjunctive mood in a formal request?

  1. The board recommended that the policy was revised.
  2. The board recommended that the policy is revised.
  3. The board recommended that the policy will be revised.
  4. The board recommended that the policy be revised. Correct answer.

Explanation

After verbs of recommendation, demand, or suggestion, formal English uses the base form of the verb in the that-clause, known as the mandative subjunctive. 'Be revised' is the correct base form. Indicative forms weaken or distort this structure.

Question 21English

Identify the sentence in which the use of 'whom' is grammatically correct.

  1. The consultant whom arrived early resigned last week.
  2. Whom is responsible for this report?
  3. The consultant whom we hired resigned last week. Correct answer.
  4. The consultant whom resigned last week was helpful.

Explanation

'Whom' is the objective case and functions as the object of a verb or preposition. In option 0, 'whom' is the object of 'hired'. Where the pronoun is the subject of a verb, 'who' is required instead.

Question 22English

Which option correctly identifies the function of the underlined gerund phrase in 'Reading legal documents carefully saves time'?

  1. It acts as an adverbial clause of time.
  2. It acts as a subject complement after a linking verb.
  3. It acts as the subject of the sentence. Correct answer.
  4. It acts as the direct object of the verb.

Explanation

A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun. In this sentence, the entire gerund phrase 'Reading legal documents carefully' is what saves time, so it occupies the subject position. It is not receiving the action of a verb.

Question 23English

Choose the sentence that avoids a misplaced modifier.

  1. She failed almost every test in the first term.
  2. She failed every almost test in the first term.
  3. She almost failed every test in the first term. Correct answer.
  4. Almost she failed every test in the first term.

Explanation

The placement of 'almost' determines which word it modifies. In option 0, 'almost' modifies 'failed', indicating she came close to failing all tests. Option 1 changes the meaning to nearly all tests being failed, which is a different claim.

Question 24English

In the sentence 'Had the committee acted sooner, the crisis could have been averted', the opening clause is best analysed as which structure?

  1. A first conditional clause
  2. An inverted third conditional clause Correct answer.
  3. A noun clause functioning as subject
  4. A relative clause modifying 'crisis'

Explanation

The clause 'Had the committee acted sooner' is an inverted form of 'If the committee had acted sooner', expressing an unreal past condition. It pairs with 'could have been averted' in the main clause, which is the classic third conditional pattern. Inversion replaces 'if' with the auxiliary 'had'.

Question 25English

Which sentence correctly uses the colon?

  1. The team needed three things; funding, staff, and time.
  2. The team needed three things, funding, staff, and time.
  3. The team needed three things: funding, staff, and time. Correct answer.
  4. The team needed: three things, funding, staff, and time.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list or explanation after a complete independent clause. In option 0, 'The team needed three things' is complete, and the colon correctly introduces the list that follows. A colon must not separate a verb from its object.

Question 26English

In the sentence 'The committee will announce its decision tomorrow', the word 'tomorrow' functions as which type of adverb?

  1. Adverb of time Correct answer.
  2. Adverb of place
  3. Adverb of degree
  4. Adverb of manner

Explanation

Adverbs of time answer the question 'when?' and include words like tomorrow, yesterday, and soon. In this sentence, 'tomorrow' specifies the time of the announcement.

Question 27English

Which sentence uses the correct comparative form to compare exactly two items?

  1. This report is most comprehensive than the previous one.
  2. This report is more comprehensive than the previous one. Correct answer.
  3. This report is more comprehensive then the previous one.
  4. This report is the most comprehensive of the two.

Explanation

When comparing two items, use the comparative form (more comprehensive) followed by 'than'. The superlative is used for three or more items.

Question 28English

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: 'If she ____ harder, she would have passed the exam.'

  1. has studied
  2. studied
  3. studies
  4. had studied Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a third conditional sentence describing an unreal past situation. The if-clause requires the past perfect ('had studied'), and the main clause uses 'would have + past participle'.

Question 29English

Which sentence correctly uses the article 'an'?

  1. He is an university student.
  2. They bought an house near the park.
  3. She waited for an hour at the station. Correct answer.
  4. I saw an dog in the garden.

Explanation

Use 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound. 'Hour' begins with a vowel sound because the 'h' is silent, so 'an hour' is correct.

Question 30English

In the sentence 'The new policy, which was implemented last month, has already reduced costs', the clause 'which was implemented last month' is best described as:

  1. A non-restrictive relative clause Correct answer.
  2. A restrictive relative clause
  3. A noun clause functioning as subject
  4. An adverbial clause of time

Explanation

A non-restrictive relative clause adds extra information and is set off by commas. It can be removed without changing the basic meaning of the sentence.

Question 31English

Which sentence correctly uses the past perfect tense to show that one past action happened before another?

  1. By the time the police arrived, the thief escaped.
  2. By the time the police arrived, the thief had escaped. Correct answer.
  3. By the time the police arrived, the thief has escaped.
  4. By the time the police arrived, the thief was escaping.

Explanation

The past perfect ('had escaped') indicates that the escape occurred before the police arrived. The simple past 'arrived' marks the later event.

Question 32English

Identify the sentence that correctly uses 'fewer' and 'less' according to standard usage.

  1. There are fewer students in the library today than yesterday. Correct answer.
  2. There are fewer traffic on the road today than yesterday.
  3. There are less students in the library today than yesterday.
  4. There is fewer traffic on the road today than yesterday.

Explanation

'Fewer' is used with plural countable nouns (students), while 'less' is used with uncountable nouns (traffic). The sentence with 'fewer students' follows this rule.

Question 33English

Which option correctly completes the sentence using the correct form of the verb in a wish clause? 'I wish I ____ more time to prepare for the interview.'

  1. will have
  2. would have
  3. had Correct answer.
  4. have

Explanation

After 'wish' referring to an unreal present situation, the past simple is used. 'I wish I had more time' means I do not have enough time now.

Question 34English

Choose the sentence that correctly uses the gerund as the object of a preposition.

  1. She is interested in learning foreign languages. Correct answer.
  2. She is interested for learning foreign languages.
  3. She is interested learn foreign languages.
  4. She is interested to learn foreign languages.

Explanation

The preposition 'in' must be followed by a gerund (-ing form) when a verb follows. 'Interested in learning' is the correct structure.

Question 35English

In the word 'international', which syllable receives the primary stress?

  1. Third Correct answer.
  2. Second
  3. First
  4. Fourth

Explanation

The word 'international' is stressed on the third syllable: in-ter-NA-tion-al. Primary stress falls on 'na'.

Question 36English

Which sentence correctly uses the modal 'must' to express a logical deduction?

  1. They must went to the party last night.
  2. You must to submit the form by Friday.
  3. The lights are on; someone must be at home. Correct answer.
  4. She must studied all night to pass the test.

Explanation

'Must' can express a strong logical deduction about the present, as in 'someone must be at home'. It is followed by the base form of the verb.

Question 37English

Identify the sentence that correctly uses the present perfect continuous tense.

  1. She is working here for five years.
  2. She has been working here for five years. Correct answer.
  3. She has worked here for five years.
  4. She works here for five years.

Explanation

The present perfect continuous ('has been working') emphasises the duration of an action that began in the past and continues to the present. 'For five years' signals this duration.

Question 38English

Which sentence correctly uses the passive voice with a modal verb?

  1. The report must submitted by Friday.
  2. The report must be submit by Friday.
  3. The report must been submitted by Friday.
  4. The report must be submitted by Friday. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passive with a modal is formed with modal + be + past participle. 'Must be submitted' follows this pattern.

Question 39English

In the sentence 'The professor whom the students admired retired last year', the function of 'whom' is:

  1. Object of the preposition 'of'
  2. Object of the verb 'admired' Correct answer.
  3. Subject of the verb 'retired'
  4. Possessive determiner

Explanation

'Whom' is the object of the verb 'admired' in the relative clause 'whom the students admired'. The subject of that clause is 'the students'.

Question 40English

Which sentence correctly uses 'inversion' after a negative adverbial for emphasis?

  1. Never have seen I such a remarkable performance.
  2. Never I have seen such a remarkable performance.
  3. Never I seen have such a remarkable performance.
  4. Never have I seen such a remarkable performance. Correct answer.

Explanation

When a negative adverbial like 'never' begins a sentence, the subject and auxiliary verb are inverted: 'Never have I seen...'. This is a formal emphatic structure.

Question 41Urdu

اردو زبان کے حروفِ تہجی کی کل تعداد کتنی ہے؟

  1. ۳۶
  2. ۳۷
  3. ۴۰
  4. ۳۸ Correct answer.

Explanation

اردو کے حروفِ تہجی کی معیاری تعداد ۳۸ ہے، جن میں الف سے ے تک تمام حروف شامل ہیں۔ یہ تعداد نصاب میں تسلیم شدہ ہے اور امتحانات میں اسی کو درست مانا جاتا ہے۔

Question 42Urdu

اردو میں 'حروفِ علت' کہلاتے ہیں:

  1. ص، ض، ط
  2. ٹ، ڈ، ڑ
  3. و، ی، ا Correct answer.
  4. ب، پ، ت

Explanation

حروفِ علت وہ حروف ہیں جن سے مصوتے (vowel) بنتے ہیں، یعنی ا، و اور ی۔ یہ حروف کسی لفظ میں آ کر آواز کو کھینچتے ہیں اور ہجے مکمل کرتے ہیں۔

Question 43Urdu

'کتاب' کا وزن کیا ہے؟

  1. فِعَال Correct answer.
  2. فَعْل
  3. فَعِیل
  4. فَعَل

Explanation

کتاب کا وزن 'فِعَال' ہے کیونکہ اس میں تین حروف ہیں: ک، ت، ب اور درمیانی حرف پر کسرہ آتا ہے۔ عربی اوزان میں اسے فِعَال کے قالب پر رکھا جاتا ہے۔

Question 44Urdu

'رحمٰن' میں جو علامت 'ٰ' ہے اسے کیا کہتے ہیں؟

  1. جزء
  2. مد
  3. کھڑا زبر Correct answer.
  4. تشدید

Explanation

'ٰ' کو کھڑا زبر کہا جاتا ہے اور یہ الف کی آواز کو ظاہر کرتا ہے جب حرف پر زبر ہو مگر الف نہ لکھا جائے۔ رحمٰن میں ر کے بعد یہی علامت آئی ہے۔

Question 45Urdu

درج ذیل میں سے کون سا لفظ مؤنث ہے؟

  1. پہاڑ
  2. گھوڑا
  3. کھڑکی Correct answer.
  4. دریا

Explanation

'کھڑکی' مؤنث ہے کیونکہ اردو میں اکثر 'ی' پر ختم ہونے والے اسماء مؤنث شمار ہوتے ہیں۔ دریا، پہاڑ اور گھوڑا مذکر ہیں۔

Question 46Urdu

'اس نے کتاب پڑھی' میں 'نے' کیا ہے؟

  1. حرفِ فاعلی Correct answer.
  2. حرفِ عطف
  3. حرفِ جار
  4. حرفِ استفہام

Explanation

ماضی کے متعدی فعل کے ساتھ فاعل پر 'نے' آتا ہے، اس لیے اسے حرفِ فاعلی کہا جاتا ہے۔ یہ فاعل کو ظاہر کرنے کا نشان ہے۔

Question 47Urdu

'سورج مشرق سے نکلتا ہے' میں فعل کا زمانہ کیا ہے؟

  1. ماضی استمراری
  2. ماضی مطلق
  3. مستقبل
  4. حال مطلق Correct answer.

Explanation

'نکلتا ہے' حال مطلق کا صیغہ ہے جو موجودہ وقت میں جاری عام عمل کو ظاہر کرتا ہے۔ اردو میں حال مطلق کے لیے فعل کے ساتھ 'تا ہے' یا 'تی ہے' آتا ہے۔

Question 48Urdu

'وہ آیا اور چلا گیا' - یہ جملہ کس قسم کا ہے؟

  1. مرکب Correct answer.
  2. سابقہ
  3. مشروط
  4. سادہ

Explanation

جملہ مرکب ہوتا ہے جب دو یا زیادہ مسقل جملے کسی حرفِ عطف سے جڑے ہوں۔ یہاں 'وہ آیا' اور 'چلا گیا' دو آزاد جملے 'اور' سے جڑے ہیں۔

Question 49Urdu

'باغ' کا مترادف کیا ہے؟

  1. جنگل
  2. گلشن Correct answer.
  3. پہاڑ
  4. صحرا

Explanation

'گلشن' کا مطلب پھولوں والا باغ ہے، اس لیے یہ باغ کا قریبی مترادف ہے۔ اردو میں گلشن اور باغ دونوں ہریالی اور پھولوں کی جگہ کے لیے آتے ہیں۔

Question 50Urdu

'روشن' کا متضاد کیا ہے؟

  1. تاریک Correct answer.
  2. شفاف
  3. تابناک
  4. چمکدار

Explanation

'روشن' کا مطلب ہے روشنی والا، اور اس کا متضاد 'تاریک' ہے یعنی اندھیرا۔ متضاد وہ لفظ ہے جو معنی میں اُلٹ ہو۔