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PPSC Assistant Director (Research) Past Paper 2025 Solved Solved MCQs

Solved PPSC Assistant Director (Research) past paper from 2025. Includes questions on General Knowledge, Pakistan Affairs, Geography, Everyday Science, and Computer.

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47

Time

47

Minutes

Subjects

11

Topics

37

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PPSC Assistant Director (Research) Past Paper 2025 Solved

Read mode 47 MCQs · 47 minutes

Subject 1

General Knowledge

11 MCQs
1

Topic Section

US History

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 1 General Knowledge US History

The Watergate Scandal is associated with which U.S. President?

A

John F. Kennedy

B

Lyndon B. Johnson

C

Richard Nixon

D

Jimmy Carter

View answer & explanation Ans: Richard Nixon

Correct Answer: Richard Nixon

The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal in the United States involving the administration of President Richard Nixon in the 1970s.

2

Topic Section

World Constitutions

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 3 General Knowledge World Constitutions

Which of the following countries does not have a written constitution?

A

India

B

US

C

UK

D

New Zealand

View answer & explanation Ans: UK

Correct Answer: UK

The United Kingdom has an uncodified constitution, meaning its constitutional principles are derived from various statutes, court judgments, and conventions rather than a single document.

3

Topic Section

Sociology

2 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 4 General Knowledge Sociology

The term 'sociology' was coined by:

A

Auguste Comte

B

Karl Marx

C

Emile Durkheim

D

Max Weber

View answer & explanation Ans: Auguste Comte

Correct Answer: Auguste Comte

Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, coined the term 'sociology' in 1838 to describe the study of society.

Q 11 General Knowledge Sociology

Socialization primarily affects which part of the self?

A

I

B

Me

C

I and Me

D

None of these

View answer & explanation Ans: I and Me

Correct Answer: I and Me

In George Herbert Mead's theory of social self, socialization involves the interaction between the 'I' (the impulsive self) and the 'Me' (the socialized self).

4

Topic Section

World History

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 6 General Knowledge World History

The Ottoman Empire was the successor of which dynasty?

A

Umayyad Dynasty

B

Abbasid Dynasty

C

Seljuk Dynasty

D

Fatimid Dynasty

View answer & explanation Ans: Seljuk Dynasty

Correct Answer: Seljuk Dynasty

The Ottoman Empire emerged from the remnants of the Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate in the late 13th century.

5

Topic Section

Definitions

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 7 General Knowledge Definitions

Biography is the study of:

A

Plants

B

Rocks

C

Maps

D

Lives of people

View answer & explanation Ans: Lives of people

Correct Answer: Lives of people

A biography is a detailed description of a person's life written by someone else.

6

Topic Section

Research Methodology

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 8 General Knowledge Research Methodology

What is the primary goal of Action Research?

A

To develop new theories

B

To observe natural phenomena

C

To improve practices through systematic change

D

To conduct experiments in laboratories

View answer & explanation Ans: To improve practices through systematic change

Correct Answer: To improve practices through systematic change

Action research is a reflective process aimed at improving methods and approaches by solving practical problems in specific settings.

7

Topic Section

Organizational Theory

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Q 9 General Knowledge Organizational Theory

What is meant by Bureaucratic Dysfunction?

A

A situation where a bureaucratic system functions smoothly and efficiently

B

A state of inefficiency, rigidity, or lack of responsiveness in a bureaucratic system

C

A form of organizational creativity within a bureaucracy

D

A system where rules and regulations are consistently followed

View answer & explanation Ans: A state of inefficiency, rigidity, or lack of responsiveness in a bureaucratic system

Correct Answer: A state of inefficiency, rigidity, or lack of responsiveness in a bureaucratic system

Bureaucratic dysfunction refers to the negative aspects of bureaucracy, such as red tape, rigidity, and inability to adapt to new situations.

8

Topic Section

Economics

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 10 General Knowledge Economics

Who was Thomas Malthus?

A

English Economist

B

English Physicist

C

Political leader

D

Philosopher

View answer & explanation Ans: English Economist

Correct Answer: English Economist

Thomas Malthus was an English economist and demographer best known for his theories regarding population growth.

9

Topic Section

United Nations

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 13 General Knowledge United Nations

The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) is a of the United Nations (UN), focusing on promoting economic cooperation and integration among European countries.

A

Department

B

Program

C

Regional Commission

D

Specialized Agency

View answer & explanation Ans: Regional Commission

Correct Answer: Regional Commission

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations.

10

Topic Section

Sports

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 14 General Knowledge Sports

Who represented Pakistan in Weightlifting (Men's 67kg category) at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and finished 5th?

A

Arshad Nadeem

B

Khalil Akhtar

C

Talha Talib

D

Najma Parveen

View answer & explanation Ans: Talha Talib

Correct Answer: Talha Talib

Talha Talib represented Pakistan in weightlifting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and achieved a commendable 5th place finish.

Subject 2

Islamic Studies

2 MCQs
1

Topic Section

Islamic Literature

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 2 Islamic Studies Islamic Literature

The book 'Al-Futuhat al-Makkiyah' was written by:

A

Imam al-Ghazali

B

Ibn Sina

C

Ibn Arabi

D

Al Shafi

View answer & explanation Ans: Ibn Arabi

Correct Answer: Ibn Arabi

Al-Futuhat al-Makkiyah (The Meccan Illuminations) is a monumental work by the Sufi mystic and philosopher Ibn Arabi.

2

Topic Section

Islamic Rituals

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 47 Islamic Studies Islamic Rituals

فاتحہ پڑھنا کا مطلب کیا ہوتا ہے؟

A

کسی کی صحت کی دعا کرنا

B

مردے کی روح کو ثواب پہنچانا

C

دنیاوی کامیابی کی دعا کرنا

D

کسی کی مدد کے لیے دعا کرنا

View answer & explanation Ans: مردے کی روح کو ثواب پہنچانا

Correct Answer: مردے کی روح کو ثواب پہنچانا

اسلامی روایت میں فاتحہ پڑھنے کا مقصد فوت شدہ شخص کی روح کو ثواب پہنچانا ہے۔

Subject 3

Pakistan Studies

7 MCQs
1

Topic Section

History Of Pakistan

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 5 Pakistan Studies History Of Pakistan

The Durand Line was formed after which war?

A

First Anglo-Afghan War

B

Second Anglo-Afghan War

C

Third Anglo-Afghan War

D

World War I

View answer & explanation Ans: Second Anglo-Afghan War

Correct Answer: Second Anglo-Afghan War

The Durand Line was established in 1893 following the Second Anglo-Afghan War to define the boundary between British India and Afghanistan.

2

Topic Section

Literature

3 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 15 Pakistan Studies Literature

Who wrote 'Women of Pakistan: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back'?

A

Khawar Mumtaz and Farida Shaheed

B

Muhammad Jahangir

C

Saleem Nazeer Khan

D

Tehmina Durrani

View answer & explanation Ans: Khawar Mumtaz and Farida Shaheed

Correct Answer: Khawar Mumtaz and Farida Shaheed

'Women of Pakistan: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back?' is a well-known book written by Khawar Mumtaz and Farida Shaheed regarding the women's rights movement in Pakistan.

Q 18 Pakistan Studies Literature

The book 'The Songs of Blood and Sword' is written by:

A

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto

B

Benazir Bhutto

C

Maleeha Lodhi

D

Fatima Bhutto

View answer & explanation Ans: Fatima Bhutto

Correct Answer: Fatima Bhutto

'Songs of Blood and Sword' is a memoir written by Fatima Bhutto regarding her family history.

Q 21 Pakistan Studies Literature

The book 'Pakistan: Between Mosque and Military' was written by:

A

Sardar Masood

B

Husain Haqqani

C

Asad Majeed

D

Jaleel Abbas Jilani

View answer & explanation Ans: Husain Haqqani

Correct Answer: Husain Haqqani

'Pakistan: Between Mosque and Military' is a book authored by former Pakistani diplomat Husain Haqqani.

3

Topic Section

Geography Of Pakistan

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 16 Pakistan Studies Geography Of Pakistan

Kartarpur is located in which district of Pakistan?

A

Lahore

B

Sialkot

C

Gujranwala

D

Narowal

View answer & explanation Ans: Narowal

Correct Answer: Narowal

Kartarpur, the site of the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, is located in the Narowal district of Punjab, Pakistan.

4

Topic Section

Independence Movement

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 17 Pakistan Studies Independence Movement

The August Offer was announced on:

A

26th January 1930

B

22nd March 1942

C

8th August 1940

D

15th August 1947

View answer & explanation Ans: 8th August 1940

Correct Answer: 8th August 1940

The August Offer was a proposal made by the British Viceroy of India, Lord Linlithgow, on 8 August 1940.

5

Topic Section

History

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 20 Pakistan Studies History

The Indian National Congress was founded in which year?

A

1857

B

1885

C

1905

D

1942

View answer & explanation Ans: 1885

Correct Answer: 1885

The Indian National Congress was founded in December 1885 in Bombay.

Subject 4

Economics

1 MCQs
1

Topic Section

Microeconomics

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 12 Economics Microeconomics

What happens when an industry operates beyond the optimum level of production?

A

It maximizes profits

B

It achieves economies of scale

C

It faces diminishing returns and inefficiency

D

It experiences rapid growth and expansion

View answer & explanation Ans: It faces diminishing returns and inefficiency

Correct Answer: It faces diminishing returns and inefficiency

Operating beyond the optimum level typically leads to diseconomies of scale and diminishing returns due to resource constraints and inefficiency.

Subject 5

Current Affairs

1 MCQs
1

Topic Section

International Security

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 19 Current Affairs International Security

Which operation led to the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011 in Abbottabad?

A

Operation Desert Storm

B

Operation Enduring Freedom

C

Operation Neptune Spear

D

Operation Iraqi Freedom

View answer & explanation Ans: Operation Neptune Spear

Correct Answer: Operation Neptune Spear

Operation Neptune Spear was the US military operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in May 2011.

Subject 6

Geography

5 MCQs
1

Topic Section

Tourism

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 22 Geography Tourism

Baltit Fort is located in which valley?

A

Swat valley

B

Hunza valley

C

Chitral valley

D

Kashmir valley

View answer & explanation Ans: Hunza valley

Correct Answer: Hunza valley

Baltit Fort is a historic fort located in the Hunza valley in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan.

2

Topic Section

World Geography

2 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 23 Geography World Geography

Which is the coldest region of the world?

A

Siberia

B

Arctic Circle

C

Greenland

D

Alaska

View answer & explanation Ans: Siberia

Correct Answer: Siberia

Siberia, particularly areas like Oymyakon, is known as one of the coldest permanently inhabited regions in the world.

Q 25 Geography World Geography

Which country is known as the 'Land of a Thousand Lakes'?

A

Canada

B

Finland

C

Jamaica

D

Japan

View answer & explanation Ans: Finland

Correct Answer: Finland

Finland is famously nicknamed the 'Land of a Thousand Lakes' due to its vast number of inland water bodies.

3

Topic Section

Climate

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 24 Geography Climate

Convectional rainfall commonly occurs in:

A

Temperate Regions

B

Equatorial Regions

C

Polar Regions

D

Desert Regions

View answer & explanation Ans: Equatorial Regions

Correct Answer: Equatorial Regions

Convectional rainfall is characteristic of equatorial regions due to high temperatures leading to the rapid heating of air and subsequent condensation.

4

Topic Section

Rivers

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 26 Geography Rivers

The Bara River originates in the Tirah Valley of Bara Tehsil, Khyber District. It joins the:

A

River Kabul

B

River Swat

C

River Indus

D

River Kurram

View answer & explanation Ans: River Kabul

Correct Answer: River Kabul

The Bara River originates in the Khyber District and eventually flows into the Kabul River.

Subject 7

Everyday Science

6 MCQs
1

Topic Section

Chemistry

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 27 Everyday Science Chemistry

Which of the following salts is commonly used to melt ice on roads?

A

Potassium nitrate

B

Calcium chloride

C

Ammonium nitrate

D

Potassium chloride

View answer & explanation Ans: Calcium chloride

Correct Answer: Calcium chloride

Calcium chloride is commonly used as a de-icing agent because it lowers the freezing point of water.

2

Topic Section

Physics

2 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 28 Everyday Science Physics

What is the SI unit of speed?

A

Kilometers per hour (km/h)

B

Miles per hour (mph)

C

Centimeters per second (cm/s)

D

Meters per second (m/s)

View answer & explanation Ans: Meters per second (m/s)

Correct Answer: Meters per second (m/s)

The SI unit for speed is meters per second (m/s).

Q 32 Everyday Science Physics

The speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is:

A

Same for all intensities

B

Faster for higher intensities

C

Lower for higher intensities

D

Dependent on the frequency of the wave

View answer & explanation Ans: Same for all intensities

Correct Answer: Same for all intensities

In a vacuum, all electromagnetic waves travel at the same constant speed (the speed of light), regardless of their frequency or intensity.

3

Topic Section

Environment

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 29 Everyday Science Environment

Due to deforestation, which of the following can increase?

A

Rainfall

B

Biodiversity

C

Soil erosion

D

Oxygen production

View answer & explanation Ans: Soil erosion

Correct Answer: Soil erosion

Deforestation removes the root systems that hold soil together, leading to an increase in soil erosion.

4

Topic Section

Units Of Measurement

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 30 Everyday Science Units Of Measurement

A picosecond is equal to:

A

10^-1 seconds

B

10^-6 seconds

C

10^-12 seconds

D

10^-3 seconds

View answer & explanation Ans: 10^-12 seconds

Correct Answer: 10^-12 seconds

A picosecond is one trillionth of a second, expressed as 10^-12 seconds.

5

Topic Section

Biology

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 31 Everyday Science Biology

The cell membrane is also known as the plasma membrane. It is the outermost covering of:

A

Animal cells

B

Bacterial cells

C

Plant cells

D

None of these

View answer & explanation Ans: Animal cells

Correct Answer: Animal cells

In animal cells, the plasma membrane serves as the outer boundary, whereas plant and bacterial cells have an additional rigid cell wall.

Subject 8

Computer Science

4 MCQs
1

Topic Section

Encoding

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 33 Computer Science Encoding

When a key is pressed on the keyboard, which standard is used for converting the keystrokes into the corresponding bits?

A

ANSI

B

ASCII

C

EDCDIC

D

ISO

View answer & explanation Ans: ASCII

Correct Answer: ASCII

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is the standard character encoding used for converting keystrokes into digital data.

2

Topic Section

Excel

2 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 34 Computer Science Excel

What does COUNTA () function do?

A

Counts cells having alphabets

B

Counts empty cells

C

Counts cells having number

D

Counts non-empty cells

View answer & explanation Ans: Counts non-empty cells

Correct Answer: Counts non-empty cells

The COUNTA function in Excel counts the number of cells in a range that are not empty.

Q 35 Computer Science Excel

In Excel, what does A20:A31 refer to?

A

A single cell

B

A range of cells from A20 to A31

C

A formula to calculate the average

D

A specific column labeled A20 and A31

View answer & explanation Ans: A range of cells from A20 to A31

Correct Answer: A range of cells from A20 to A31

The colon (:) operator in Excel specifies a range of cells, starting from the first reference to the second.

3

Topic Section

Graphics

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 36 Computer Science Graphics

A pixel is:

A

the smallest resolvable part of a picture

B

A picture stored in the secondary memory

C

A computer program that draws pictures

D

A virus

View answer & explanation Ans: the smallest resolvable part of a picture

Correct Answer: the smallest resolvable part of a picture

A pixel (picture element) is the smallest unit of a digital image or display.

Subject 9

Mathematics

1 MCQs
1

Topic Section

Percentage

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 37 Mathematics Percentage

An article is sold for 596 after a 20% discount. What was the original price?

A

600

B

745

C

800

D

945

View answer & explanation Ans: 745

Correct Answer: 745

If the selling price is 80% of the original price (x), then 0.8x = 596, so x = 596 / 0.8 = 745.

Subject 10

English

5 MCQs
1

Topic Section

Synonyms

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 38 English Synonyms

The synonym of Prolong is:

A

Extend

B

Shorten

C

Cancel

D

End

View answer & explanation Ans: Extend

Correct Answer: Extend

To prolong something means to extend its duration.

2

Topic Section

Idioms

3 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 39 English Idioms

Choose the correct idiom: Laugh ___ one's sleeves.

A

in

B

at

C

on

D

up

View answer & explanation Ans: in

Correct Answer: in

The idiom 'laugh in one's sleeves' means to be secretly amused.

Q 40 English Idioms

What does the idiom 'get your goat' mean?

A

To make someone laugh

B

To annoy or irritate someone

C

To make someone happy

D

To confuse someone

View answer & explanation Ans: To annoy or irritate someone

Correct Answer: To annoy or irritate someone

The idiom 'to get someone's goat' means to cause them to become annoyed or angry.

Q 41 English Idioms

What does the idiom 'apple-pie order' mean?

A

Neat & Tidy

B

Disordered

C

Mismanaged

D

Ornamental

View answer & explanation Ans: Neat & Tidy

Correct Answer: Neat & Tidy

The idiom 'apple-pie order' is used to describe something that is perfectly neat and tidy.

3

Topic Section

Antonyms

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 42 English Antonyms

The antonym of Docile is:

A

Yielding

B

Unyielding

C

Obedient

D

Submissive

View answer & explanation Ans: Unyielding

Correct Answer: Unyielding

Docile means ready to accept control or instruction; unyielding is its antonym, meaning not giving way to pressure.

Subject 11

Urdu

4 MCQs
1

Topic Section

Literature

3 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 43 Urdu Literature

The novel 'Raja Gidh' by Bano Qudsia was published in:

A

1975

B

1978

C

1981

D

1984

View answer & explanation Ans: 1981

Correct Answer: 1981

Bano Qudsia's masterpiece novel 'Raja Gidh' was published in 1981.

Q 44 Urdu Literature

تاج محل نظم کس کی ہے؟ (Who wrote the poem 'Taj Mahal'?)

A

جون ایلیا

B

ساحر لدھیانوی

C

فراق گورکھپوری

D

ان میں سے کوئی نہیں

View answer & explanation Ans: ساحر لدھیانوی

Correct Answer: ساحر لدھیانوی

نظم 'تاج محل' مشہور شاعر ساحر لدھیانوی کی تخلیق ہے۔

Q 45 Urdu Literature

ایسی بلندی ایسی پستی کے مصنف کا نام بتائیں؟

A

عزیز احمد

B

اشفاق احمد

C

مرزا ہادی رسوا

D

ممتاز مفتی

View answer & explanation Ans: عزیز احمد

Correct Answer: عزیز احمد

'ایسی بلندی ایسی پستی' عزیز احمد کا ایک مشہور اردو ناول ہے۔

2

Topic Section

Idioms

1 solved MCQs shown directly below

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Q 46 Urdu Idioms

فاختہ اڑانا محاورہ ہے، اس کا مفہوم کیا ہے؟

A

شور مچانا

B

تمہیں نہیں کرنا

C

مزے اڑانا

D

ان میں سے کوئی نہیں

View answer & explanation Ans: مزے اڑانا

Correct Answer: مزے اڑانا

اردو محاورے 'فاختہ اڑانا' کا مطلب عیاشی کرنا یا مزے اڑانا ہے۔

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