PPSC English Past Paper 2021 Solved MCQs with Answers
Solved English MCQs from the PPSC 2021 past paper, each with the correct answer and a clear explanation. Ideal practice for PPSC, FPSC, NTS, CSS and PMS. All questions are extracted from the actual 2021 paper and verified before publication.
I have come to know of your hole and corner method of dealing with people. (Meaning of idiom)
'Hole and corner' describes something done secretly and underhandedly.
The antonym of Pacify is?
To pacify is to calm, so its antonym is to provoke.
The synonym of gather is?
To convene is to gather or assemble people together.
A child born after the death of his father is called?
A child born after the father's death is posthumous.
The antonym of endear is?
To endear is to make beloved, so its antonym is to estrange, to make hostile.
The antonym of Stubborn is?
Stubborn means unyielding, so its antonym is docile, meaning easily managed.
The synonym of cheeky is?
Cheeky means impertinently bold, hence impudent.
The synonym of Adjacent is?
Adjacent means lying next to, that is alongside.
The synonym of generous is?
Generous in the sense of an amount means ample or plentiful, as in a generous helping.
When a woman is married to more than one husband at a time it is called as?
A woman married to more than one husband at a time practises polyandry. The male equivalent is polygyny.
A place where dogs are kept is called?
A place where dogs are kept is a kennel.
A man drinks alcohol regularly is called?
A man who drinks alcohol habitually is a drunkard.
Choose the correct spelling?
The correct spelling is executive.
The synonym of outrage is?
Outrage and indignation both mean anger aroused by something unjust.
The synonym of fable is?
A fable and an allegory both tell a story that conveys a moral or hidden meaning.
The synonym of notorious is?
Notorious means famous for something bad, hence infamous.
The antonym of innocent is?
Innocent means free of guilt, so its antonym is guilty.
The antonym of eager is?
Eager means keen, so its antonym is uninterested.
I am worried ______ the exam?
'Worried about' is the fixed preposition.
I am good ______ tennis?
'Good at' expresses skill in an activity.
She cares ______ the environment?
'Care about' means to feel concern for.
I am ______ favor of the idea I think it will work well?
'In favour of' means supporting.
I would like to thank you ______ behalf of all of us?
'On behalf of' means representing or speaking for others.
He does not care ____ losing his job?
'Care about' expresses concern; the negative form denies it.
The correct meaning of 'Hide one's light under a bushel'?
'Hide one's light under a bushel' means to conceal one's talents or abilities.
Hair breadth escape means?
A 'hairbreadth escape' is a very narrow escape.
To fish in troubled water?
'To fish in troubled waters' means to profit personally from a disturbance.
Face the music?
'Face the music' means to accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
At arm's length?
'At arm's length' means keeping someone at a distance, avoiding intimacy.
Euphonious is the opposite of?
Euphonious means pleasant sounding, so its opposite is strident, meaning harsh and grating.
That which cannot be approached or reached?
Something that cannot be approached or reached is inaccessible.
A person who loves mankind?
One who loves mankind and works for its welfare is a philanthropist.
A part of a word that can be pronounced separately?
A unit of a word that can be pronounced separately is a syllable.
A speech without any previous preparation?
A speech given without preparation is extempore.
Many young men were ____ at street corners for the coffee bar to open?
'Hang about' means to loiter or wait around.
The charming girl was the ____ of all eyes?
The cynosure of all eyes is the centre of attention.
Magisterial means?
Magisterial means having or showing authority.
Exonerate is the opposite of?
To exonerate is to clear of blame, so its opposite is to accuse.
Facsimile Opposite?
A facsimile is an exact copy, so its opposite is the original.
Idiom Spick and Span?
'Spick and span' means perfectly neat and clean.
Waive Opposite?
To waive is to give up a claim, so its opposite is to demand.
Fickle Opposite?
Fickle means changeable, so its opposite is steadfast.
Venerate Opposite?
To venerate is to regard with deep respect, so its opposite is to despise.
Anomalous Opposite?
Anomalous means deviating from the norm, so its opposite is usual.
Devilish Synonym?
Devilish and satanic both mean characteristic of the devil.
Valour is the opposite of?
Valour is bravery, so its opposite is cowardice.
Expedite means?
To expedite is to speed up, that is to hasten.
Restive is the opposite of?
Restive means restless and difficult to control, so its opposite is placid.
A young police officer was charged ___ the tasks of transporting the prisoners?
'Charged with' means entrusted with a duty.
Which word is correctly spelt?
The correct spelling is guarantee.
Commodious is the opposite of?
Commodious means roomy and spacious, so its opposite is cramped.
The policeman's story conflicts ___ that of the accused?
'Conflict with' is the fixed preposition for accounts that disagree.
A place where pigs are kept?
A place where pigs are kept is a sty.
Subjugate Synonym?
To subjugate is to bring under control, that is to conquer.
Cataclysm means?
A cataclysm is a violent upheaval or disaster.
The antonym of Wearisome?
Wearisome means tiring and tedious, so its antonym is refreshing.
Analogy: Man : Men :: Goose : ?
Men is the irregular plural of man, as geese is of goose.
Unless you ___ hard you cannot succeed?
'Unless' already carries a negative sense, so the verb that follows stays positive: unless you work hard.
Proverb Out of the frying-pan?
The proverb is 'Out of the frying pan into the fire': escaping one difficulty only to meet a worse one.
Idiom To get cold feet?
'To get cold feet' means to lose one's nerve and become afraid.
Antonym of Aboriginal is?
Aboriginal means original and indigenous, so its antonym here is modern.
Synonym of Economize is?
To economise is to save and use resources sparingly.
Synonym of Bellicose is?
Bellicose means inclined to fight, that is warlike.
A fear of heights?
Fear of heights is acrophobia.
Idiom To be rolling in money?
'To be rolling in money' means to be very rich.
Idiom To throw up the sponge?
'To throw up the sponge' means to surrender or give up a contest, from boxing.
A post for which no salary is paid?
A post carrying no salary is honorary.
Proverb Every cloud has a?
The proverb is 'Every cloud has a silver lining': there is some good in every misfortune.
Antonym of Obstreperous is?
Obstreperous means noisy and unruly, so its antonym is tame.
Correct analogy is COLLAGE : IMAGES?
A collage is made of many images as a medley is made of many songs: a composite and the elements it combines.
Correct analogy is REHEARSAL : PERFORMANCE?
A rehearsal precedes a performance as an engagement precedes a marriage: a preparatory stage and the event it leads to.
Correct analogy is LION : ROAR?
A lion roars as a snake hisses: an animal and its characteristic sound.
Idiomatic phrases out and out means?
'Out and out' means thoroughly or completely.
The antonym of Callow is?
Callow means immature and inexperienced, so its antonym is urbane, meaning polished and sophisticated.
The antonym of Scent is?
A scent is a pleasant smell, so its antonym is a stench, a foul one.
Antonym Transience?
Transience is the state of lasting only briefly, so its antonym is permanence.
Idiom A scapegoat?
A scapegoat is one made to bear the blame for the misdeeds of others.
One word Not interesting/funny because overused?
Something no longer interesting because it has been overused is hackneyed.
Synonym of Flagitious is?
Flagitious means criminal and wicked, hence villainous.
Correct analogy is PARENTHESIS : EXPLANATION?
A parenthesis encloses an explanation as an ellipsis marks an omission: a punctuation mark and its function.
The antonym of Callous is?
Callous means unfeeling and hard-hearted, so its antonym is kind.
I have no pride ____ my qualification?
'Pride in' is the fixed preposition.
The antonym of Sophomoric is?
Sophomoric means immature and pretentious, so its antonym is venerable, meaning worthy of respect through age.
Identify the figure of speech: The wind whispered through the trees?
Giving the wind the human ability to whisper is personification.
The synonym of Educe is?
To educe is to draw out, that is to elicit.
The synonym of Atrocity is?
An atrocity is a shockingly cruel act, hence an abomination.
The word Ebullient is closest in meaning to?
Ebullient means bubbling with enthusiasm, hence excited.
A new broom ____?
The proverb is 'A new broom sweeps clean': a newcomer makes changes energetically.
Work hard lest you?
'Lest' already carries a negative sense and takes the bare form of the verb, so 'lest you fail' is correct.
The antonym of Sentimental is?
Sentimental means governed by tender feeling, so its antonym is callous, meaning unfeeling.
He is sick of life means?
'Sick of life' means finding life unbearable and wearisome.
To die in harness means?
'To die in harness' means to die while still actively at work.
The synonym of Galvanize is?
To galvanise is to shock into action, that is to stimulate.
The antonym of Calamity is?
A calamity is a disaster, so its antonym is a blessing.
The Antonym of Prudent is?
Prudent means careful and sensible, so its direct antonym is imprudent.
About the PPSC English Past Paper 2021
Every MCQ above is taken from the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) English papers held in 2021, with the correct answer and a written explanation for each. Past-paper practice is the most dependable way to prepare for PPSC, FPSC, NTS, CSS and PMS, because these papers repeat their themes, and often the questions themselves, from one year to the next.
Questions were checked against reliable sources before publication. Where a circulating source sheet carried a factual or wording error, we corrected it rather than reproducing the mistake. For chapter-wise preparation, work through our English MCQs hub, which also lists every other year’s paper. Further reading: Pakistan Movement and the PPSC official website.
How to Use This Paper
Attempt the full quiz before looking at any answer, then read the explanation for every question you got wrong, including those you guessed correctly. A past paper is only useful if you close the gaps it exposes. Pro members can download the complete paper as a PDF with all answers and explanations for offline revision.