PAST PAPER Assistant Director (Public Relations) PPSC [SOLVED]

1. What is the primary purpose of journalism?

A) To entertain
B) To inform the public
C) To advertise products
D) To promote political agendas
Answer: B) To inform the public

2. Which of the following is a type of news story?

A) Feature
B) Editorial
C) Hard news
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

3. The term “mass communication” refers to:

A) Communication between small groups
B) Communication through mass media
C) Personal communication
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Communication through mass media

4. Which of the following is NOT a type of mass media?

A) Television
B) Radio
C) Email
D) Newspapers
Answer: C) Email

5. The process of fact-checking in journalism is important to:

A) Ensure the accuracy of information
B) Increase word count
C) Make articles more interesting
D) None of the above
Answer: A) Ensure the accuracy of information

6. Who is often referred to as the “father of journalism”?

A) Walter Lippmann
B) Joseph Pulitzer
C) Edward R. Murrow
D) Henry Luce
Answer: B) Joseph Pulitzer

7. What is a “lead” in a news article?

A) The closing paragraph
B) The opening sentence or paragraph
C) A follow-up story
D) A quote from a source
Answer: B) The opening sentence or paragraph

8. Which of the following is a common ethical issue in journalism?

A) Plagiarism
B) Conflict of interest
C) Sensationalism
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

9. The term “broadcast journalism” refers to news that is:

A) Published in print
B) Distributed via television and radio
C) Shared on social media
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Distributed via television and radio

10. What does the “inverted pyramid” style of writing emphasize?

A) Entertainment value
B) A chronological approach
C) Important information first
D) Personal opinions
Answer: C) Important information first

11. Which of the following best defines “citizen journalism”?

A) Reporting by professional journalists
B) News reporting by ordinary people
C) News provided by government sources
D) None of the above
Answer: B) News reporting by ordinary people

12. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows journalists to:

A) Write any story they want
B) Access government documents
C) Avoid paying taxes
D) Conduct interviews without consent
Answer: B) Access government documents

13. Which social media platform is most commonly used for news sharing?

A) LinkedIn
B) Pinterest
C) Facebook
D) Instagram
Answer: C) Facebook

14. The primary function of public relations is to:

A) Sell products
B) Manage the public image of organizations
C) Report news
D) Produce advertisements
Answer: B) Manage the public image of organizations

15. What is a “sound bite” in journalism?

A) A brief audio clip
B) A lengthy interview
C) An editorial piece
D) A book review
Answer: A) A brief audio clip

16. Investigative journalism is primarily concerned with:

A) Sports news
B) Human interest stories
C) Exposing corruption and wrongdoing
D) Entertainment news
Answer: C) Exposing corruption and wrongdoing

17. Which of the following is a role of a photojournalist?

A) To take photographs that tell a story
B) To write news articles
C) To edit video content
D) To conduct interviews
Answer: A) To take photographs that tell a story

18. The term “editorial” refers to:

A) A news report
B) An opinion piece
C) A feature article
D) A press release
Answer: B) An opinion piece

19. The Associated Press (AP) is known for:

A) Sensational journalism
B) Producing opinion pieces
C) Providing objective news coverage
D) Promoting political parties
Answer: C) Providing objective news coverage

20. Which of the following skills is essential for journalists?

A) Writing clearly and concisely
B) Strong interviewing skills
C) Research and fact-checking abilities
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

21. What does the term “scoop” refer to in journalism?

A) A news story that is reported before others
B) A type of newspaper
C) A press conference
D) A social media post
Answer: A) A news story that is reported before others

22. The term “lead time” refers to:

A) The time taken to prepare a news report
B) The time between the completion and publication of a story
C) The time for interviews
D) The time for editing
Answer: B) The time between the completion and publication of a story

23. A “feature story” typically:

A) Reports breaking news
B) Focuses on human interest or in-depth topics
C) Is written only for television
D) Contains only statistical data
Answer: B) Focuses on human interest or in-depth topics

24. The primary goal of advertising is to:

A) Inform the public
B) Persuade consumers to buy products or services
C) Provide news coverage
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Persuade consumers to buy products or services

25. Which of the following is a common form of media bias?

A) Omission of facts
B) Providing multiple viewpoints
C) Balanced reporting
D) None of the above
Answer: A) Omission of facts

26. The term “media literacy” refers to:

A) The ability to read and write
B) The ability to critically analyze media messages
C) The ability to create media content
D) None of the above
Answer: B) The ability to critically analyze media messages

27. Which of the following is a disadvantage of online journalism?

A) Instant access to news
B) Wide audience reach
C) Misinformation and lack of fact-checking
D) Cost-effective
Answer: C) Misinformation and lack of fact-checking

28. The purpose of a press release is to:

A) Sell products
B) Inform the media about an event or news
C) Promote a personal blog
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Inform the media about an event or news

29. A “beat” in journalism refers to:

A) A specific topic or area of reporting
B) A type of interview
C) A style of writing
D) A method of editing
Answer: A) A specific topic or area of reporting

30. Which of the following is a primary characteristic of online journalism?

A) Limited audience
B) Interactive content
C) Static pages
D) Exclusively print-based
Answer: B) Interactive content

31. The term “fake news” refers to:

A) Satirical content
B) Misinformation presented as news
C) Advertisements
D) Investigative reports
Answer: B) Misinformation presented as news

32. The main objective of photojournalism is to:

A) Capture and tell stories through images
B) Write articles
C) Edit news videos
D) Conduct interviews
Answer: A) Capture and tell stories through images

33. Which of the following is an example of a hard news story?

A) A political scandal
B) A travelogue
C) An opinion column
D) A product review
Answer: A) A political scandal

34. A journalist’s primary duty is to:

A) Advocate for a political party
B) Report facts objectively
C) Create advertisements
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Report facts objectively

35. Which of the following is NOT considered a primary source in journalism?

A) Eyewitness accounts
B) Official documents
C) Newspaper articles
D) Interviews
Answer: C) Newspaper articles

36. The term “libel” refers to:

A) Truthful reporting
B) False written statements that harm a person’s reputation
C) A type of advertising
D) None of the above
Answer: B) False written statements that harm a person’s reputation

37. The primary audience for public relations campaigns is:

A) General public
B) Media outlets
C) Corporate stakeholders
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

38. Which of the following is an essential part of a journalist’s toolkit?

A) Notebook
B) Camera
C) Computer
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

39. The term “breaking news” refers to:

A) News that is published later
B) News that is happening currently and is urgent
C) News that has been confirmed
D) None of the above
Answer: B) News that is happening currently and is urgent

40. The role of an editor is primarily to:

A) Conduct interviews
B) Write articles
C) Oversee the content and ensure quality
D) None of the above
Answer: C) Oversee the content and ensure quality

41. The primary purpose of an editorial is to:

A) Report facts
B) Present the writer’s opinion on an issue
C) Advertise products
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Present the writer’s opinion on an issue

42. Which of the following techniques is often used in feature writing?

A) Quick facts
B) Narrative storytelling
C) Statistical analysis
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Narrative storytelling

43. What is the purpose of conducting interviews in journalism?

A) To gather opinions
B) To collect data
C) To obtain firsthand information
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

44. The term “narrative journalism” emphasizes:

A) Purely factual reporting
B) Storytelling and character development
C) Statistical reporting
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Storytelling and character development

45. What is a common challenge faced by journalists in the digital age?

A) Lack of access to information
B) Competition from citizen journalists
C) High production costs
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Competition from citizen journalists

46. Which of the following is an example of a secondary source in journalism?

A) A live interview
B) A textbook
C) An eyewitness account
D) A press conference
Answer: B) A textbook

47. The term “columnist” refers to:

A) A journalist who writes regular opinion pieces
B) A photographer for a newspaper
C) An editor in charge of layout
D) A news anchor
Answer: A) A journalist who writes regular opinion pieces

48. The main focus of media studies is to analyze:

A) The impact of media on society
B) The economic benefits of media
C) The history of media
D) None of the above
Answer: A) The impact of media on society

49. The concept of “newsworthiness” is defined by:

A) How interesting a story is to the journalist
B) The relevance and impact of a story on the audience
C) The length of a news article
D) None of the above
Answer: B) The relevance and impact of a story on the audience

50. Which of the following is a responsibility of a news reporter?

A) To create advertisements
B) To report on facts and news events
C) To promote a political agenda
D) None of the above
Answer: B) To report on facts and news events

51. What is the purpose of an editorial board?

A) To write news articles
B) To decide the content and tone of the newspaper
C) To conduct interviews
D) None of the above
Answer: B) To decide the content and tone of the newspaper

52. Which type of journalism focuses on uncovering corruption and misconduct?

A) Tabloid journalism
B) Investigative journalism
C) Sports journalism
D) Fashion journalism
Answer: B) Investigative journalism

53. A press conference is primarily used to:

A) Launch a new product
B) Answer questions from the media
C) Conduct interviews
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Answer questions from the media

54. Which of the following best describes “editorial independence”?

A) Editors can write whatever they want
B) Editors make decisions free from external influence
C) Editors only report news
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Editors make decisions free from external influence

55. A “media kit” typically includes:

A) Promotional materials for journalists
B) A collection of articles
C) Personal letters from the CEO
D) None of the above
Answer: A) Promotional materials for journalists

56. Which of the following platforms is most commonly associated with video journalism?

A) Twitter
B) YouTube
C) Instagram
D) LinkedIn
Answer: B) YouTube

57. The concept of “spin” in journalism refers to:

A) Presenting information in a biased manner
B) Reporting news accurately
C) Fact-checking before publication
D) None of the above
Answer: A) Presenting information in a biased manner

58. The term “journalistic integrity” is defined by:

A) The ability to write well
B) Commitment to truth and ethics
C) Having a large audience
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Commitment to truth and ethics

59. Which of the following is a common form of digital journalism?

A) Blog posts
B) Podcasts
C) Video reports
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

60. Which of the following is an example of “soft news”?

A) Weather reports
B) Political analysis
C) Celebrity gossip
D) Crime reports
Answer: C) Celebrity gossip

61. The term “media convergence” refers to:

A) The merging of traditional and digital media
B) The separation of media types
C) The rise of print media
D) None of the above
Answer: A) The merging of traditional and digital media

62. The main objective of a news anchor is to:

A) Write news articles
B) Present news stories to the audience
C) Conduct interviews
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Present news stories to the audience

63. Which of the following is NOT a common journalistic technique?

A) Narrative storytelling
B) Data journalism
C) Creative writing
D) Investigative reporting
Answer: C) Creative writing

64. The role of the ombudsman in journalism is to:

A) Promote news articles
B) Review and address complaints about the media
C) Conduct interviews
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Review and address complaints about the media

65. The term “gatekeeping” in journalism refers to:

A) Selecting which news stories are reported
B) Writing news articles
C) Conducting interviews
D) None of the above
Answer: A) Selecting which news stories are reported

66. Which of the following is an essential quality of a successful journalist?

A) Strong communication skills
B) Lack of curiosity
C) Inflexibility
D) None of the above
Answer: A) Strong communication skills

67. The term “viral content” refers to:

A) Content that spreads rapidly online
B) Content related to health
C) Content created by professionals
D) None of the above
Answer: A) Content that spreads rapidly online

68. A “hard news” story is characterized by:

A) Personal opinions
B) Emotional storytelling
C) Timeliness and factual reporting
D) None of the above
Answer: C) Timeliness and factual reporting

69. The practice of “plagiarism” in journalism is defined as:

A) Reporting news accurately
B) Copying someone else’s work without permission
C) Writing original articles
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Copying someone else’s work without permission

70. Which of the following is an example of ethical journalism?

A) Sensationalizing stories
B) Seeking multiple perspectives
C) Ignoring sources
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Seeking multiple perspectives

71. The purpose of a news editorial is to:

A) Present objective facts
B) Offer a personal viewpoint on a topic
C) Report on breaking news
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Offer a personal viewpoint on a topic

72. Which of the following roles is typically found in a television newsroom?

A) Video editor
B) Scriptwriter
C) Anchor
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

73. The term “data journalism” primarily involves:

A) Writing personal narratives
B) Analyzing and interpreting data for news stories
C) Conducting interviews
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Analyzing and interpreting data for news stories

74. The primary focus of lifestyle journalism is to:

A) Report on political events
B) Discuss entertainment, travel, and culture
C) Investigate corporate wrongdoing
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Discuss entertainment, travel, and culture

75. The term “breaking news” is used to describe:

A) News that is no longer relevant
B) News that is currently unfolding
C) Archived news articles
D) None of the above
Answer: B) News that is currently unfolding

76. Which of the following is a common ethical guideline for journalists?

A) Report all sides of a story
B) Favor one perspective
C) Distort facts for entertainment
D) None of the above
Answer: A) Report all sides of a story

77. The role of a news producer is to:

A) Write articles
B) Oversee the production of news segments
C) Conduct interviews
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Oversee the production of news segments

78. A “feature story” is typically characterized by:

A) Objective reporting
B) In-depth exploration of a topic
C) Quick updates
D) None of the above
Answer: B) In-depth exploration of a topic

79. The purpose of a journalistic source is to:

A) Provide information and insights for news stories
B) Avoid answering questions
C) Present fictional narratives
D) None of the above
Answer: A) Provide information and insights for news stories

80. Which of the following is a challenge faced by journalists today?

A) Access to reliable information
B) Decrease in public trust
C) Limited means of communication
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Decrease in public trust

81. Which city is the capital of Pakistan?

A) Karachi
B) Islamabad
C) Lahore
D) Peshawar
Answer: B) Islamabad

82. In which year did Pakistan become independent?

A) 1945
B) 1947
C) 1950
D) 1952
Answer: B) 1947

83. What is the national language of Pakistan?

A) Punjabi
B) English
C) Urdu
D) Sindhi
Answer: C) Urdu

84. Who was the founder of Pakistan?

A) Allama Iqbal
B) Liaquat Ali Khan
C) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
D) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Answer: C) Muhammad Ali Jinnah

85. Which of the following rivers is the longest in Pakistan?

A) Ravi
B) Chenab
C) Indus
D) Jhelum
Answer: C) Indus

86. What is the capital of the Sindh province?

A) Karachi
B) Hyderabad
C) Sukkur
D) Larkana
Answer: A) Karachi

87. Which country shares the longest border with Pakistan?

A) India
B) Afghanistan
C) Iran
D) China
Answer: A) India

88. What is the square root of 49?

A) 6
B) 7
C) 8
D) 9
Answer: B) 7

89. Which of the following is a programming language?

A) HTML
B) CSS
C) Java
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

90. What is the chemical symbol for sodium chloride?

A) NaCl
B) KCl
C) CaCl2
D) Na2SO4
Answer: A) NaCl

91. Which organ in the human body is primarily responsible for detoxification?

A) Heart
B) Liver
C) Lungs
D) Kidney
Answer: B) Liver

92. The capital of Balochistan province is:

A) Quetta
B) Gwadar
C) Ziarat
D) Pasni
Answer: A) Quetta

93. What is the currency of Pakistan?

A) Dollar
B) Euro
C) Rupee
D) Yen
Answer: C) Rupee

94. Which day is celebrated as Pakistan Day?

A) 14th August
B) 23rd March
C) 25th December
D) 1st January
Answer: B) 23rd March

95. The largest desert in Pakistan is:

A) Thar Desert
B) Cholistan Desert
C) Kharan Desert
D) Thal Desert
Answer: A) Thar Desert

96. What is the boiling point of water in Celsius?

A) 50°C
B) 75°C
C) 100°C
D) 120°C
Answer: C) 100°C

97. Who is the author of the book “Pakistan: A Modern History”?

A) K.K. Aziz
B) Ian Talbot
C) Tariq Ali
D) Ziauddin Sardar
Answer: B) Ian Talbot

98. What is the capital city of the Punjab province?

A) Multan
B) Lahore
C) Faisalabad
D) Rawalpindi
Answer: B) Lahore

99. In which continent is Pakistan located?

A) Africa
B) Asia
C) Europe
D) Australia
Answer: B) Asia

100. What is the primary function of the United Nations?

A) To promote trade
B) To maintain international peace
C) To regulate currency
D) To control national borders
Answer: B) To maintain international peace