Pakistan Studies/Affairs MCQs
Topic Notes: Pakistan Studies/Affairs
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
1
Which of the following describes the climate of the Balochistan Plateau?
Answer:
Arid with extreme temperatures
The Balochistan Plateau has an arid climate characterized by very hot summers and cold winters. It receives very little rainfall, mostly during the winter months from western disturbances.
2
The 'Miani Hor' is a lagoon found near the edge of which geographical feature?
Answer:
Balochistan Plateau (coastal edge)
Miani Hor is a large swampy lagoon on the coast of Balochistan, where the plateau meets the Arabian Sea. It is a Ramsar site and is significant for its mangrove forests and biodiversity.
3
What is the characteristic soil type of the Pothohar Plateau?
Answer:
Loess and alluvial soil
The Pothohar Plateau features loess soil (wind-blown dust) and alluvial deposits. This soil is fertile but the rugged, dissected terrain and lack of canal irrigation make agriculture dependent on rainfall (Barani farming).
4
Which of these is the largest desert in Pakistan by area?
Answer:
Thar Desert
The Thar Desert is the largest in Pakistan, covering a vast area of Sindh. It is followed by the Cholistan and Thal deserts in Punjab, and the Kharan desert in Balochistan.
5
The 'Soan Valley' in the Pothohar Plateau is world-famous for what?
Answer:
Ancient stone-age tools and fossils
The Soan Valley is a major archaeological site where stone-age tools (the Soanian culture) and fossils dating back millions of years have been found, providing evidence of early human activity in the region.
6
Which desert is located in the Chagai District and is bordered by Iran and Afghanistan?
Answer:
Kharan Desert
The Kharan Desert is located in the Chagai and Kharan districts of Balochistan. It is one of the most remote and arid parts of Pakistan, sharing borders with Iran and Afghanistan.
7
The Balochistan Plateau has an 'endorheic' drainage system. What does this mean?
Answer:
Rivers do not reach the sea and flow into internal basins
Endorheic drainage means that the rivers in the Balochistan Plateau do not have an outlet to the ocean. Instead, they flow into internal basins or dry lakes (Hamuns) where the water evaporates or seeps into the ground.
8
The 'Hakra River' is a dry riverbed that historically flowed through which desert?
Answer:
Cholistan
The Hakra River (part of the ancient Ghaggar-Hakra system) once flowed through the Cholistan Desert. The ruins of many ancient civilizations are found along its dry bed, suggesting the desert was once a fertile region.
9
Which plateau is considered the heart of Pakistan's military and administrative headquarters?
Answer:
Pothohar Plateau
The Pothohar Plateau is home to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, and the military headquarters in Rawalpindi. Its strategic location and terrain have made it the administrative and military nerve center of the country.
10
The 'Nagar Parkar' area, featuring granite hills, is a unique part of which desert?
Answer:
Thar Desert
Nagar Parkar is located at the southeastern edge of the Thar Desert in Sindh. It is famous for the Karoonjhar Hills, which are composed of granite, providing a stark contrast to the surrounding sand dunes.