PAST PAPER Assistant Director (Engg) PPSC [SOLVED]

1. What is the main purpose of reinforced concrete? A) Increase flexibility B) Increase compressive strength C) Increase tensile strength D) Reduce weight Answer: C) Increase tensile strength 2. What is the unit of modulus of elasticity? A) Pascal B) Newton C) Meter D) Joule Answer: A) Pascal 3. In Civil Engineering, which cement type is best for underwater construction? A) Ordinary Portland Cement B) White Cement C) Rapid Hardening Cement D) Sulphate Resisting Cement Answer: D) Sulphate Resisting Cement 4. Which of the following is a non-destructive test for concrete? A) Compression test B) Slump test C) Rebound hammer test D) Tensile test Answer: C) Rebound hammer test 5. What is the purpose of a slump test in concrete? A) Check durability B) Measure compressive strength C) Determine workability D) Check tensile strength Answer: C) Determine workability 6. Which structure type is best suited for earthquake-resistant design? A) Fixed base B) Shear wall C) Inverted V-brace D) Cantilever Answer: B) Shear wall 7. The minimum curing period for cement concrete recommended by IS codes is: A) 3 days B) 7 days C) 14 days D) 28 days Answer: B) 7 days 8. Which soil type has the highest water retention capacity? A) Sand B) Clay C) Silt D) Gravel Answer: B) Clay 9. Which foundation type is preferred for weak soil conditions? A) Strip foundation B) Raft foundation C) Pad foundation D) Trench fill foundation Answer: B) Raft foundation 10. In concrete mix design, what does the water-cement ratio affect the most? A) Workability B) Color C) Setting time D) Aggregate size Answer: A) Workability 11. What is the primary function of a retaining wall? A) Support floors B) Retain soil C) Divert water flow D) Improve aesthetics Answer: B) Retain soil 12. The main component in Ordinary Portland Cement responsible for strength is: A) Gypsum B) Alumina C) Silica D) Calcium Silicate Answer: D) Calcium Silicate 13. Which type of brick is used in the facework of walls? A) Common bricks B) Engineering bricks C) Facing bricks D) Refractory bricks Answer: C) Facing bricks 14. The process of adding extra steel to a beam to resist bending is called: A) Reinforcing B) Prestressing C) Tensioning D) Welding Answer: A) Reinforcing 15. The most common type of dam used for water storage is: A) Gravity dam B) Arch dam C) Buttress dam D) Embankment dam Answer: A) Gravity dam 16. Which load type acts horizontally on buildings? A) Dead load B) Live load C) Wind load D) Snow load Answer: C) Wind load 17. What is the main reason for providing expansion joints in concrete structures? A) Reduce material usage B) Allow thermal expansion C) Improve aesthetics D) Increase compressive strength Answer: B) Allow thermal expansion 18. Which of the following is a method of soil stabilization? A) Wetting B) Cement grouting C) Polishing D) Compaction only Answer: B) Cement grouting 19. What is the standard size of a brick used in construction in Pakistan? A) 230 x 110 x 75 mm B) 240 x 120 x 90 mm C) 250 x 130 x 100 mm D) 200 x 100 x 70 mm Answer: A) 230 x 110 x 75 mm 20. In which type of soil is pile foundation generally used? A) Rocky soil B) Firm soil C) Soft soil D) Sandy soil Answer: C) Soft soil 21. Which type of cement is best for underwater concrete structures? A) Rapid Hardening Cement B) High Alumina Cement C) Sulphate Resisting Cement D) White Cement Answer: C) Sulphate Resisting Cement 22. What is the usual maximum allowable slope for highways? A) 1 in 10 B) 1 in 20 C) 1 in 40 D) 1 in 50 Answer: C) 1 in 40 23. Which material is commonly used for damp-proof courses? A) Cement mortar B) Asphalt C) Lime D) Sand Answer: B) Asphalt 24. A material’s resistance to deformation under load is called: A) Strength B) Elasticity C) Stiffness D) Hardness Answer: C) Stiffness 25. In Civil Engineering, BOD stands for: A) Biological Oxygen Demand B) Bacterial Oxygen Demand C) Bio-organic Decomposition D) Bacterial Organic Demand Answer: A) Biological Oxygen Demand 26. What is the purpose of admixtures in concrete? A) Reduce water content B) Increase setting time C) Enhance concrete properties D) Decrease compressive strength Answer: C) Enhance concrete properties 27. The specific gravity of cement is generally around: A) 1.2 B) 2.0 C) 3.15 D) 4.5 Answer: C) 3.15 28. Which survey method is used for large area measurement? A) Chain surveying B) Compass surveying C) Plane table surveying D) Triangulation surveying Answer: D) Triangulation surveying 29. The type of bond commonly used in constructing one brick thick walls is: A) Flemish bond B) Header bond C) Stretcher bond D) English bond Answer: C) Stretcher bond 30. In RCC beams, the steel reinforcement is placed to resist: A) Compressive stresses B) Shear stresses C) Tensile stresses D) None of the above Answer: C) Tensile stresses 31. Which is the main factor affecting the workability of concrete? A) Aggregate size B) Temperature C) Cement grade D) Water-cement ratio Answer: D) Water-cement ratio 32. What type of soil is typically used in earthen dams? A) Gravel B) Silt C) Sand D) Clay Answer: D) Clay 33. The structural member designed to carry only tensile loads is called a: A) Beam B) Column C) Tie rod D) Girder Answer: C) Tie rod 34. Which surveying instrument measures vertical and horizontal angles? A) Compass B) Level C) Theodolite D) Clinometer Answer: C) Theodolite 35. In soil mechanics, permeability is typically measured in: A) cm²/sec B) m²/sec C) m/sec D) kg/m³ Answer: C) m/sec 36. Which dam type is best suited for narrow gorges? A) Gravity dam B) Arch dam C) Buttress dam D) Embankment dam Answer: B) Arch dam 37. What is the commonly used method for compaction in road construction? A) Ramming B) Kneading C) Rolling D) Vibrating Answer: C) Rolling 38. What is the full form of RCC in construction? A) Reinforced Concrete Cement B) Reinforced Concrete Column C) Reinforced Cement Concrete D) None of the above Answer: C) Reinforced Cement Concrete 39. The ratio of the unit weight of soil to the unit weight of water is known as: A) Bulk density B) Dry density C) Specific gravity D) Relative density Answer: C) Specific gravity 40. Which test is used to determine the consistency of fresh concrete? A) Rebound hammer test B) Compression test C) Slump test D) Tensile test Answer: C) Slump test 41. The property of fluid to resist gradual deformation is called: A) Viscosity B) Surface tension C) Density D) Buoyancy Answer: A) Viscosity 42. Which construction material is best known for its resistance to fire? A) Steel B) Concrete C) Timber D) Plastic Answer: B) Concrete 43. What is the ideal water-cement ratio for high-strength concrete? A) 0.2 B) 0.4 C) 0.6 D) 0.8 Answer: B) 0.4 44. Which type of surveying uses aerial photographs? A) Plane surveying B) Hydrographic surveying C) Photogrammetric surveying D) Topographic surveying Answer: C) Photogrammetric surveying 45. The type of soil transported by wind is called: A) Alluvial B) Colluvial C) Aeolian D) Glacial Answer: C) Aeolian 46. In a beam, the maximum bending stress occurs at the: A) Neutral axis B) Top fiber C) Bottom fiber D) Ends Answer: B) Top fiber 47. Which method is used to determine soil density in the field? A) Oven drying method B) Nuclear density test C) Pycnometer method D) Sand replacement method Answer: B) Nuclear density test 48. What is the main purpose of scaffolding? A) Provide support to formwork B) Transport materials C) Provide a working platform D) Serve as a protective shield Answer: C) Provide a working platform 49. The minimum grade of concrete for RCC is: A) M5 B) M10 C) M15 D) M20 Answer: D) M20 50. Which is the best material for soundproofing walls? A) Concrete B) Foam C) Fiberboard D) Wood Answer: C) Fiberboard 51. In a simply supported beam, the point of maximum deflection is located at: A) The support B) The midpoint C) The third-point D) The quarter-point Answer: B) The midpoint 52. What type of soil compaction method is suitable for clayey soil? A) Vibration B) Impact C) Static rolling D) Kneading Answer: D) Kneading 53. A 1:2:4 concrete mix indicates: A) 1 part water, 2 parts sand, 4 parts cement B) 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, 4 parts aggregate C) 1 part sand, 2 parts cement, 4 parts water D) None of the above Answer: B) 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, 4 parts aggregate 54. What is the unit of measurement for deflection in beams? A) Meters B) Newton C) Pascal D) Radians Answer: A) Meters 55. In geotechnical engineering, SPT stands for: A) Soil Pressure Test B) Standard Pressure Test C) Standard Penetration Test D) Soil Penetration Test Answer: C) Standard Penetration Test 56. The minimum reinforcement for slabs is: A) 0.12% of cross-sectional area B) 0.15% of cross-sectional area C) 0.20% of cross-sectional area D) 0.25% of cross-sectional area Answer: A) 0.12% of cross-sectional area 57. Which is not a type of retaining wall? A) Gravity wall B) Cantilever wall C) Sheet piling wall D) Suspension wall Answer: D) Suspension wall 58. Which instrument is used to measure angles in horizontal and vertical planes? A) Theodolite B) Tachometer C) Plumb bob D) Spirit level Answer: A) Theodolite 59. In concrete technology, OPC stands for: A) Optical Portland Cement B) Ordinary Portland Cement C) Optimal Portland Cement D) Original Portland Cement Answer: B) Ordinary Portland Cement 60. The water table represents the: A) Saturated zone below the ground B) Boundary of groundwater and surface water C) Unsaturated soil layer D) Area where roots are found Answer: A) Saturated zone below the ground 61. What is a slump test used to measure? A) Flexibility B) Durability C) Workability D) Density Answer: C) Workability 62. Which part of the dam absorbs water pressure? A) Spillway B) Abutment C) Core D) Face Answer: C) Core 63. Soil compaction improves: A) Permeability B) Density C) Plasticity D) Water content Answer: B) Density 64. Cement hydration is an example of a: A) Physical change B) Chemical reaction C) Mechanical process D) Biological process Answer: B) Chemical reaction 65. The modulus of elasticity of steel is approximately: A) 210 GPa B) 300 GPa C) 100 GPa D) 500 GPa Answer: A) 210 GPa 66. The setting time of cement is determined using a: A) Slump cone B) Vicat apparatus C) Rebound hammer D) Pycnometer Answer: B) Vicat apparatus 67. In surveying, EDM stands for: A) Electronic Data Measurement B) Electronic Distance Measurement C) Elevation Data Measurement D) Electronic Data Mapping Answer: B) Electronic Distance Measurement 68. The main purpose of using coarse aggregates in concrete is to: A) Improve workability B) Increase strength C) Reduce shrinkage D) Control setting time Answer: B) Increase strength 69. The minimum clear cover for a reinforced concrete column is: A) 10 mm B) 20 mm C) 25 mm D) 40 mm Answer: D) 40 mm 70. The process of adding water to soil to increase its moisture content is known as: A) Compaction B) Consolidation C) Moisture treatment D) Wetting Answer: C) Moisture treatment 71. A flat slab system is ideal for: A) High-rise buildings B) Large column-free spaces C) Multi-story buildings D) Small rooms Answer: B) Large column-free spaces 72. Which device is used for measuring small vertical distances in surveying? A) Theodolite B) Altimeter C) Dumpy level D) Laser scanner Answer: C) Dumpy level 73. A structure’s strength to resist loads depends on its: A) Density B) Modulus of elasticity C) Strength D) All of the above Answer: D) All of the above 74. Which cement is best suited for marine construction? A) Ordinary Portland Cement B) Quick-setting Cement C) Sulfate-resistant Cement D) Low heat Cement Answer: C) Sulfate-resistant Cement 75. The factor of safety is the ratio of: A) Yield stress to ultimate stress B) Ultimate stress to yield stress C) Working stress to ultimate stress D) None of the above Answer: B) Ultimate stress to yield stress 76. A shear wall resists: A) Lateral forces B) Axial forces C) Torsional forces D) Gravity loads Answer: A) Lateral forces 77. The bearing capacity of soil is measured in: A) Newtons B) Pascal C) Newton per meter squared D) Kilonewton per meter squared Answer: D) Kilonewton per meter squared 78. In fluid mechanics, Bernoulli’s equation is based on the law of: A) Conservation of mass B) Conservation of energy C) Conservation of momentum D) Conservation of density Answer: B) Conservation of energy 79. The primary purpose of scaffolding is to: A) Transfer loads B) Provide access for construction C) Increase structure strength D) None of the above Answer: B) Provide access for construction 80. The lateral ties in RCC columns resist: A) Axial forces B) Shear forces C) Lateral forces D) Buckling Answer: D) Buckling 81. The national flower of Pakistan is: A) Jasmine B) Rose C) Sunflower D) Tulip Answer: A) Jasmine 82. Which planet is known as the ‘Red Planet’? A) Earth B) Mars C) Jupiter D) Venus Answer: B) Mars 83. In which year did Pakistan become a nuclear power? A) 1988 B) 1990 C) 1998 D) 2000 Answer: C) 1998 84. The currency of Saudi Arabia is called: A) Dirham B) Riyal C) Dinar D) Dollar Answer: B) Riyal 85. What is the synonym of the word “Eloquent”? A) Unclear B) Quiet C) Fluent D) Harsh Answer: C) Fluent 86. The Indus River originates from which country? A) India B) China C) Pakistan D) Afghanistan Answer: B) China 87. Who is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations? A) António Guterres B) Ban Ki-moon C) Kofi Annan D) Boutros Boutros-Ghali Answer: A) António Guterres 88. In geometry, a triangle with all sides of equal length is called: A) Isosceles B) Scalene C) Equilateral D) Right-angle Answer: C) Equilateral 89. The book “Shahab Nama” was written by: A) Faiz Ahmed Faiz B) Qudrat Ullah Shahab C) Mumtaz Mufti D) Ibn-e-Insha Answer: B) Qudrat Ullah Shahab 90. Which is the smallest ocean in the world? A) Atlantic Ocean B) Indian Ocean C) Pacific Ocean D) Arctic Ocean Answer: D) Arctic Ocean 91. Which programming language is known as the foundation of web development? A) JavaScript B) Python C) C++ D) Swift Answer: A) JavaScript 92. The square root of 144 is: A) 10 B) 11 C) 12 D) 13 Answer: C) 12 93. Who was the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan? A) Fatima Jinnah B) Asma Jahangir C) Benazir Bhutto D) Malala Yousafzai Answer: C) Benazir Bhutto 94. The boiling point of water is: A) 90°C B) 100°C C) 110°C D) 120°C Answer: B) 100°C 95. In Urdu grammar, “Jumla Khabriya” refers to a: A) Negative Sentence B) Interrogative Sentence C) Statement Sentence D) Imperative Sentence Answer: C) Statement Sentence 96. Which part of the computer is known as its “brain”? A) RAM B) Hard Disk C) CPU D) Monitor Answer: C) CPU 97. Which country is the largest producer of oil in the world? A) Russia B) Saudi Arabia C) United States D) Canada Answer: C) United States 98. In mathematics, the value of π (pi) is approximately: A) 2.14 B) 3.14 C) 4.14 D) 5.14 Answer: B) 3.14 99. Which element has the chemical symbol ‘O’? A) Oxygen B) Osmium C) Orlon D) Oganesson Answer: A) Oxygen 100. What is the capital of Australia? A) Sydney B) Melbourne C) Canberra D) Brisbane Answer: C) Canberra