August 2025 Edition
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August 2025 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#1941
According to Auguste Comte, what are the three sequential stages through which human knowledge evolves?
(a) functionalist marxist interactionist
(b) philosophical biological sociological
(c) ignorance understanding truth
(d) theological metaphysical positive
Explanation: Auguste Comte's 'Law of Three Stages' posits that human intellectual development progresses from the theological stage (explaining phenomena through supernatural forces), to the metaphysical stage (using abstract philosophical concepts), and finally to the positive stage (relying on scientific observation and empirical evidence to understand the world).
#1942
When Auguste Comte described sociology as a 'positive science,' what was his primary intention?
(a) that it should apply the same methods as physics or chemistry
(b) that it should progress by positing new concepts and theories
(c) that it should attempt to appeal to as many people as possible
(d) that it should show people in the best possible light
Explanation: Comte's positivism advocated for the use of the scientific method—observation, experimentation, and comparison—to study social life, just as natural scientists study the physical world. He believed that by applying these rigorous, empirical methods, sociology could uncover the 'laws' governing human society, leading to social order and progress. This marked a significant shift toward empirical sociology as a distinct academic discipline.
#1943
In his 'Law of Three Stages,' what relationship did Auguste Comte emphasize?
(a) Intellectual evolution and Social progress
(b) Social structures and social statics
(c) Social laws and social change
(d) Social change and Social dynamics
Explanation: Comte's 'Law of Three Stages' (theological, metaphysical, and positive) posits that the evolution of human knowledge directly drives the evolution of social organization. He argued that as human thought progresses toward scientific understanding, society itself advances toward a more stable and rational state.
#1944
In Auguste Comte's 'Law of Three Stages,' what is the second stage characterized by the belief that society is governed by natural forces?
(a) None of these
(b) Metaphysical
(c) Scientific
(d) Theological
Explanation: Auguste Comte proposed the 'Law of Three Stages' to explain the evolution of human thought and society. The first stage is the Theological stage, where events are explained by supernatural beings. The second stage is the Metaphysical stage, where abstract forces and natural principles replace supernatural ones. The final stage is the Positive or Scientific stage, where society relies on empirical observation and scientific laws to explain phenomena.
#1945
What is the core meaning of Auguste Comte's concept of 'positivism'?
(a) An unempirical set of principles governing social advancement
(b) A theory that identifies problems and seeks solutions
(c) A theory highlighting society's positive aspects
(d) A rigorous scientific examination of observable facts
Explanation: Positivism, as proposed by Auguste Comte, is a philosophical system that asserts that the only authentic knowledge is scientific knowledge, derived from empirical observation and sensory experience. Comte believed that sociology should be modeled after the natural sciences, focusing on the discovery of invariant laws of social phenomena through rigorous, objective, and data-driven analysis of observable facts.
#1946
How are the evolutionary theories proposed by Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim typically classified?
(a) unilinear theory
(b) cyclical theory
(c) multilinear theory
(d) conflict theory
Explanation: Comte and Durkheim often viewed social evolution as a progression through fixed stages, which is characteristic of unilinear evolutionary theory. This perspective suggests that all societies pass through the same sequence of development, moving from simple to complex structures as they advance toward modernity.
#1947
How did Auguste Comte characterize the nature of sociology?
(a) General Science
(b) Historical method
(c) Positive science
(d) Comparative science
Explanation: Auguste Comte, who coined the term 'sociology,' viewed it as a 'positive science.' He believed that sociology should use the same scientific methods of observation, experimentation, and comparison used in the natural sciences to discover the laws governing human society.
#1948
What term did Auguste Comte use to describe the scientific study of social patterns?
(a) Negativism
(b) Communism
(c) Socialism
(d) Positivism
Explanation: Auguste Comte, often considered the father of sociology, coined the term 'positivism' to describe his philosophical approach. He believed that society could be studied using the same scientific methods applied in the natural sciences to discover the laws governing social behavior and patterns, moving beyond theological or metaphysical explanations of the world.
#1949
The theoretical frameworks proposed by Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim are primarily categorized under which evolutionary perspective?
(a) unilinear theory
(b) conflict theory
(c) multilinear theory
(d) cyclical theory
Explanation: Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim are associated with unilinear evolutionary theory. This perspective suggests that all societies progress through a single, fixed sequence of developmental stages. It assumes a universal trajectory of social evolution, where societies move from simpler, less integrated forms to more complex, highly differentiated structures, reflecting a linear progression of human civilization over time.
#1950
Which philosophical framework of Auguste Comte did Karl Marx explicitly reject?
(a) Positivism
(b) Socialism
(c) Communism
(d) Negativism
Explanation: Karl Marx was critical of Auguste Comte's positivism, which sought to apply the methods of the natural sciences to the study of society to achieve order and progress. Marx favored a dialectical materialist approach, arguing that social change is driven by class conflict and economic contradictions rather than the linear, scientific evolution proposed by Comte.
#1951
According to United Nations projections, what was the estimated average global life expectancy by 2025?
(a) 54
(b) 46
(c) 71
(d) 80
Explanation: The United Nations has historically tracked global demographic trends, including life expectancy. The figure of 71 years was a widely cited projection for the mid-2020s, reflecting improvements in global health, nutrition, and medical technology over the preceding decades.
#1952
According to United Nations projections, what is the estimated global average life expectancy by the year 2025?
(a) 71
(b) 54
(c) 80
(d) 46
Explanation: The United Nations has projected that by 2025, the average life expectancy worldwide will reach 71 years, indicating a steady increase in human lifespan due to advances in healthcare and living standards.
#1953
Which urban center is projected to be the most populous megacity by the year 2025?
(a) New York
(b) Mumbai
(c) Beijing
(d) Tokyo
Explanation: Tokyo has historically maintained its status as the world's most populous metropolitan area for several decades. Demographic projections consistently identified it as the largest megacity leading up to 2025 due to its massive urban sprawl and high population density, despite shifts in global growth patterns.
#1954
Which metropolitan area is projected to maintain the largest population by 2025?
(a) Mumbai
(b) Beijing
(c) Tokyo
(d) New York
Explanation: According to United Nations demographic projections, Tokyo is expected to remain the world's most populous megacity by 2025. This status is attributed to its sustained role as a global economic hub, high density, and the continued concentration of human and capital resources within the Greater Tokyo Area, despite Japan's overall aging population trends.
#1955
When Auguste Comte described sociology as a 'positive science,' what was his primary intention?
(a) that it should attempt to appeal to as many people as possible
(b) that it should show people in the best possible light
(c) that it should apply the same methods as physics or chemistry
(d) that it should progress by positing new concepts and theories
Explanation: Comte's vision of sociology as a 'positive science' was rooted in the belief that social phenomena could be studied with the same empirical rigor as the natural sciences. He argued that by applying the scientific method—observation, experimentation, and comparison—sociologists could discover the invariant laws of social organization and change. This approach aimed to move sociology away from speculative philosophy toward a discipline based on verifiable, objective data.
#1956
Arrange the following events in chronological order based on their reported status or impact as of August 8, 2026:
(a) 1-2-3-4
(b) 4-3-2-1
(c) 2-1-4-3
(d) 3-4-1-2
Explanation: Chronological order is determined by the sequencing of the actions/impacts described: The postponement of AJK elections (3) was reported, followed by the approval of civil awards (4), the emergence of Typhoon Dolphin's impact (1), and the finalization of the leadership pledge between the Senate and NA (2) on the same date. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40433957/poonch-palandri-elections-postponed-in-7-constituencies]
#1957
Select the correct chronological sequence of the following policy-related occurrences reported on August 5, 2026:
(a) A > B > C > D
(b) C > B > D > A
(c) B > A > D > C
(d) D > C > B > A
Explanation: The events involve: A) The appointment of a cricket coach; B) The launch of a book on hybrid warfare; C) Bilawal Bhutto's statement on Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir; D) The Ministerial meeting in Jordan regarding Jerusalem. All events were reported on the same calendar day, and their sequence follows their presentation in the daily news cycle order. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40433345/smith-appointed-batting-coach-of-mens-team]
#1958
Consider the following statements about the US-Pakistan trade negotiations as of July 2026: 1. Pakistan successfully negotiated a reduction in the initial IEEPA-based tariff from 29 per cent to 19 per cent in 2025. 2. The temporary global tariff of 10 per cent imposed under Section 122 is scheduled to expire on July 24, 2026. 3. India is currently facing a lower proposed tariff under Section 301 than Pakistan. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct regarding the 2025 tariff reduction. Statement 2 is correct as the Section 122 tariff has a 150-day statutory limit expiring on July 24, 2026. Statement 3 is incorrect because India faces a 12.5% tariff, which is higher than Pakistan's 10%. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016679/finance-minister-aurangzeb-arrives-in-us-on-3-day-visit-expected-to-hold-talks-on-trade-finance-investment, 19 Jul 2026]
#1959
Analyze the following statements regarding Pakistan's economic and governance indicators reported on August 11, 2026:
(a) Only 1 and 2 are correct
(b) Only 2 and 3 are correct
(c) Only 1 and 3 are correct
(d) All statements are correct
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the automotive sector experienced a 141% surge in sales, not a contraction. Statement 2 is correct regarding the Privitisation Commission's move to outsource major airports. Statement 3 is correct regarding the rise in external remittances to $3.6 billion in July. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2022170/privatisation-commission-approves-financial-adviser-for-outsourcing-karachi-lahore-airports]
#1960
The total additional financial burden proposed to be recovered from consumers through the August 2026 bills is:
(a) Rs15.7 billion
(b) Rs10.5 billion
(c) Rs18.2 billion
(d) Rs22.4 billion
Explanation: The petition filed by the power companies aims to recover an additional Rs15.7 billion from consumers across all power utilities, including ex-Wapda Discos and K-Electric, to offset the higher fuel costs. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016204/power-companies-seek-rs120-per-unit-fuel-cost-adjustment-for-august, 17 Jul 2026]