Here are the solved MCQs from CSS IR Paper I (2024) with correct answers and explanations for better understanding.
Q1. Treaty of Westphalia was signed in:
(A) 1748
(B) 1648 ✅
(C) 1548
(D) None of these
Explanation: The Treaty of Westphalia (1648) ended the Thirty Years’ War and established the principles of state sovereignty, marking the beginning of the modern international system.
Q2. Book “No Exit from Pakistan” was written by:
(A) Crispin Bates
(B) Michael Kugelman
(C) Daniel Markey ✅
(D) None of these
Explanation: Daniel Markey, an American scholar, authored No Exit from Pakistan: America’s Tortured Relationship with Islamabad in 2013.
Q3. World’s biggest iceberg is:
(A) A23a ✅
(B) B23b
(C) C23c
(D) None of these
Explanation: In 2023, the world’s largest iceberg, A23a, measuring around 4,000 sq km, started drifting in the Southern Ocean.
Q4. Congress of Vienna took place in:
(A) 1815 ✅
(B) 1816
(C) 1817
(D) None of these
Explanation: The Congress of Vienna (1815) reorganized Europe after the Napoleonic Wars and restored monarchies under the balance of power principle.
Q5. 14 Points were given by:
(A) Markus Daechsel
(B) Woodrow Wilson ✅
(C) Harry Truman
(D) None of these
Explanation: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announced his 14 Points in 1918 to promote peace after World War I.
Q6. Cuban Missile Crisis took place during:
(A) 1960
(B) 1961
(C) 1962 ✅
(D) None of these
Explanation: In October 1962, the U.S. and USSR confronted each other over Soviet missiles in Cuba, bringing the world close to nuclear war.
Q7. HAMAS was founded in:
(A) 1985
(B) 1986
(C) 1987 ✅
(D) None of these
Explanation: HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement) was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada in Palestine.
Q8. Suez Canal was officially opened in:
(A) November 1869 ✅
(B) November 1970
(C) November 1971
(D) None of these
Explanation: The Suez Canal connecting the Mediterranean and Red Sea was opened in 1869 by the Suez Canal Company.
Q9. Name of the Israeli parliament is:
(A) Knesset ✅
(B) Parliman
(C) People’s Assembly
(D) None of these
Explanation: The Israeli parliament is called the Knesset, consisting of 120 members.
Q10. The Peloponnesian Wars were fought between:
(A) Athens & Sparta ✅
(B) Athens & Persian Empire
(C) Athens & Roman Empire
(D) None of these
Explanation: The Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE) was fought between Athens and Sparta, weakening Greek unity.
Q11. Morgenthau says “Balance of Power occurs by”:
(A) Naturally
(B) Prudent Statesmen ✅
(C) Hostile Country
(D) None of these
Explanation: According to Hans Morgenthau (classical realist), balance of power is maintained by the wisdom and actions of prudent statesmen.
Q12. Defensive & Offensive Realism theories are given by:
(A) Morgenthau
(B) Norman Angell
(C) John Mearsheimer ✅
(D) None of these
Explanation: John Mearsheimer, a neorealist, formulated Offensive Realism, while Defensive Realism is associated with Kenneth Waltz and others.
Q13. Theory of Postmodernism was given by:
(A) Alexander Wendt
(B) E.H. Carr
(C) Michel Foucault ✅
(D) None of these
Explanation: Michel Foucault, a French philosopher, contributed significantly to postmodernist thought in international relations.
Q14. The “Art of War” book was written by:
(A) Sun Tzu ✅
(B) Quang Chong
(C) Cho-Yeong
(D) None of these
Explanation: Sun Tzu, a Chinese strategist, authored The Art of War, a classic text on military strategy.
Q15. NSG stands for:
(A) Nuclear Support Group
(B) Nuclear Strategic Grounds
(C) Nuclear Supplier Group ✅
(D) None of these
Explanation: The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a 48-nation body controlling nuclear exports to prevent proliferation.
Q16. British government sold Kashmir to Maharaja Gulab Singh in:
(A) 1845
(B) 1846 ✅
(C) 1847
(D) None of these
Explanation: After the First Anglo-Sikh War (1846), Britain sold Kashmir to Maharaja Gulab Singh under the Treaty of Amritsar.
Q17. Foreign Minister of Iran is:
(A) Hossein Amir-Abdollahian ✅
(B) Reza Amiri-Moghaddam
(C) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
(D) None of these
Explanation: Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is the current Foreign Minister of Iran (since 2021).
Q18. CWC stands for:
(A) Chemical Weapons Convention ✅
(B) Charter of Women Convention
(C) Children Welfare Convention
(D) None of these
Explanation: The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a disarmament treaty banning chemical weapons globally.
Q19. IDF stands for:
(A) International Defense Forces
(B) Israel Defense Forces ✅
(C) Iran Defense Forces
(D) None of these
Explanation: Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is the military organization of Israel.
Q20. World’s top scorer of football 2023 is:
(A) Kylian Mbappe
(B) Cristiano Ronaldo ✅
(C) Lionel Messi
(D) None of these
Explanation: Cristiano Ronaldo finished 2023 as the world’s top scorer with 54 goals across club and country.
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