PROVINCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE, ETC. (PMS) / COMBINED COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION (BS-17) 2009

Which country has world’s oldest national anthem?

  • (A) China
  • (B) Japan
  • (C) USA
  • (D) Russia
Check Answer
  • (B) Japan
Explanation
The oldest national anthem in the world in terms of lyrics is that of Japan, called “Kimigayo.” Although its melody was written in 1880, its lyrics are from a waka poem written in the 10th century.

‘Hamas’ was founded in 1987 by:

  • (A) Yasser Arafat
  • (B) Ismael Haniyeh
  • (C) Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
  • (D) Khaled Mashal
Check Answer
  • (C) Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
Explanation
Hamas was founded in December 1987 by Palestinian cleric Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and a number of colleagues, including Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, in the aftermath of the First Intifada against Israeli occupation. Yassin was the spiritual founder and driving force behind the movement, with roots going back to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Muammar Gaddafi of Libya remained the Head of which organization?

  • (A) Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)
  • (B) Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)
  • (C) African Union (AU)
  • (D) Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
Check Answer
  • (C) African Union (AU)
Explanation
Muammar Gaddafi of Libya was the Chairman of the African Union (AU). He was elected to this position in February 2009 for a one-year term, during which he advocated his vision for a “United States of Africa”. A leading proponent of Pan-Africanism in the 2000s, he had long advocated the establishment of the AU in place of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

Who is called the father of computer?

  • (A) Merry John
  • (B) Blaise Pascal
  • (C) Charles Babbage
  • (D) Konrad Ruse
Check Answer
  • (C) Charles Babbage
Explanation
Charles Babbage is known as the “Father of the Computer” because he started the concept of a machine that could be programmed. In the 1830s, he designed the Analytical Engine, which already had the essential components that we see in computers today: the arithmetic logic unit, memory (the “store”), and the control mechanism (the “mill”). Although it was not completed during his lifetime, his visionary ideas laid the foundation for the principles that make up modern digital computing.

Which country among P-5 has used veto power most of the time so far?

  • (A) America
  • (B) Russia
  • (C) France
  • (D) Britain
Check Answer
  • (B) Russia
Explanation
  • Russia/Soviet Union (USSR) has used the veto more than any other permanent member of the UN Security Council. A large proportion of these vetoes occurred in the early years of the Cold War, when the UN Security Council was formed in 1946.
  • Russia/USSR has cast approximately 159 vetoes (as of mid-2025).
  • America: The United States has used the veto 93 times. While it has been the most frequent user since 1970—primarily to protect Israel—its total count remains lower than Russia‘s.
  • Britain: The United Kingdom has used its veto power 29 times. Notably, Britain has not exercised a veto since 1989.
  •  FranceFrance has used the veto the least among the options provided, with a total of 16 times. Like the UKFrance has not used its veto power since 1989.

  • The world’s largest foreign exchange reserves are of which country?

    • (A) USA
    • (B) Japan
    • (C) UK
    • (D) China
    Check Answer
    • (D) China
    Explanation
  • China is home to the world’s largest stack of foreign exchange reserves, estimated to be around $3.4 to $3.6 trillion as of late 2025 to early 2026. The large amount of foreign exchange reserves has been accumulated over the years due to the country’s trade surplus and export-driven economy. China’s foreign exchange reserves are used as a financial buffer to stabilize the renminbi.
  • USA: The United States holds significant reserves (roughly $910 billion), but it does not need to maintain the world’s largest stockpile because the U.S. dollar is the global primary reserve currency.
  • Japan: Japan ranks second in the world for foreign exchange reserves, holding approximately $1.2 trillion to $1.3 trillion. While substantial, this is roughly one-third of China‘s total holdings.
  • UK: The United Kingdom holds far fewer reserves (estimated around $174 billion to $223 billion) compared to the leaders and does not typically rank in the global top 10.

  • CPU is the abbreviation of:

    • (A) Computer Processing Unit
    • (B) Central Power Unit
    • (C) Central Programming Unit
    • (D) Central Processing Unit
    Check Answer
    • (D) Central Processing Unit
    Explanation
    The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the central part of a computer that serves as its “brain.” It decodes and executes instructions, manages data processing, and controls most operations of a computer system.

    Which is the biggest bird of the world?

    • (A) Kiwi
    • (B) Emu
    • (C) Ostrich
    • (D) Penguin
    Check Answer
    • (C) Ostrich
    Explanation
    The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the tallest and heaviest living bird species on Earth. Ostriches are native to Africa and are flightless birds that grow up to 9 feet tall (approximately 2.7 meters) and weigh over 340 pounds (approximately 156 kilograms). They have the largest egg of any bird species and the fastest land speed of 43-45 mph (approximately 70 kilometers per hour).

    3 May is celebrated as the international day of:

    • (A) Environment Day
    • (B) Press Freedom Day
    • (C) Food Day
    • (D) White Cane Day
    Check Answer
    • (B) Press Freedom Day
    Explanation
  • World Press Freedom Day is celebrated annually on May 3. This day, established by the UN General Assembly in 1993, is dedicated to the defence of freedom of expression, the assessment of the situation of press freedom in the world, and paying tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
  • Environment Day: Celebrated on 5 June
  • Food Day: World Food Day is observed on 16 October, while World Food Safety Day is 7 June.
  • White Cane Day: Celebrated on 15 October to recognise the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired.

  • Where is the headquarters of “Human Rights Watch”?

    • (A) Geneva
    • (B) Paris
    • (C) New York
    • (D) London
    Check Answer
    • (C) New York
    Explanation
    The principal office of Human Rights Watch is located in New York City, United States of America. Although it has offices in many major cities across the globe, including Geneva, Paris, and London, its headquarters is still in New York.

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