Previous Year Question

The Steppes are the extensive temperate grasslands of Eurasia. They stretch from the regions around the Black Sea through Ukraine, southern Russia and Central Asia eastwards towards Mongolia and Manchuria.

These regions have a predominantly continental climate. Because of their great distance from the sea, they experience a large difference between summer and winter temperatures. Rainfall is insufficient for the development of extensive forests, so grasses dominate the natural vegetation and trees are generally scarce.

In comparatively wetter parts of the Steppe, grasses may be taller and denser, whereas towards the drier continental interior they become shorter and more sparse. Some Steppe regions possess fertile chernozem or black earth soils, which have helped make Ukraine and southern Russia important wheat-producing regions.

Among the other options, the Prairies are associated with North America, the Velds with South Africa, and the Downs with Australia. Thus, different temperate grassland regions are known by different local names.

Therefore, the temperate grasslands found in Eurasia are the Steppes, and the correct answer is (c).