UPSC Prelims 2013 Q65: Geography – Atmosphere & Climatology
“Climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty and the people used to be nomadic herders.” The
above statement best describes
which of the following regions?
- (a) African Savannah
- (b) Central Asian Steppe
- (c) North American Prairie
- (d) Siberian Tundra
Answer: (b) Central Asian Steppe
Explanation
'Extreme climate, scanty rainfall, nomadic herders'
This describes the Central Asian Steppe.
| Clue | Central Asian Steppe |
|---|---|
| Extreme climate | Deep in the interior of Asia: very hot summers, very cold winters |
| Scanty rainfall | Far from the sea; about 25 to 50 cm a year |
| Nomadic herders | The Kirghiz and Kazakhs moved with horses, sheep and camels, living in tents called yurts |
Why not the others:
| Region | Difference |
|---|---|
| African Savannah | Hot all year, with a clear wet season; herders such as the Masai |
| North American Prairie | No nomadic herding tradition; now wheat farms |
| Siberian Tundra | Very cold; reindeer herding and hunting |
The words 'used to be' matter: the Soviet state settled the nomads on collective farms.
Answer: (b) Central Asian Steppe.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The African Savannah is hot all year, not extreme in both seasons.
- (b) CORRECT. The Central Asian Steppe has an extreme climate, scanty rain and nomadic herders.
- (c) Incorrect. The North American Prairie had no such nomadic herders.
- (d) Incorrect. The Siberian Tundra is always cold, with reindeer herders.
Key point
Central Asian Steppe: continental extreme climate, low rainfall, grassland; Kirghiz and Kazakh nomadic herders (yurts), later settled.
Remember
Steppe = Kirghiz nomads, extreme climate.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the Savannah because of the Masai herders.
- Ignoring the word 'extreme', which means both hot and cold.
- Forgetting the past tense: 'used to be' nomadic.
Exam tip
'Extreme' means far from the sea. That points to the heart of Asia.
Sources
- G.C. Leong — Certificate Physical and Human Geography (The Temperate Continental (Steppe) Climate)
- NCERT Class XI — Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Ch 12 (World Climate and Climate Change)