The Grasslands 

Q1. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

Code:

(a) 4 3 1 2

(b) 2 3 4 1

(c) 4 3 2 1

(d) 4 1 3 2

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. Llanos are tropical grasslands located in South America, mainly in Venezuela and Colombia. Hence, A–4 is correct.
2. Steppe grasslands form a broad temperate-grassland belt across Eurasia, extending from parts of Eastern Europe into Central Asia. Hence, B–3 is correct.
3. Prairies are temperate grasslands of North America. Hence, C–1 is correct.
4. Veld refers to grasslands of South Africa in the African continent. Hence, D–2 is correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Q2. The Savannas are most widespread in – [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993]

(a) Africa

(b) Asia

(c) North America

(d) South America

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. Savanna is a tropical grassland ecosystem consisting of grasses, scattered shrubs, and isolated trees, generally found between tropical rainforests and desert regions.
2. Africa contains the world's largest and most extensive areas of tropical savanna, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Q3. What is the name of mid-latitude grassland in South America? [60th to 62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016]

(a) Prairie

(b) Pampas

(c) Veld

(d) Steppes

(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Ans. (b)

Explanation:

1. The mid-latitude or temperate grasslands of South America are known as Pampas.
2. Pampas grasslands are mainly spread over Argentina, Uruguay, and the southern parts of Brazil.
3. Other mid-latitude grasslands include Prairies in North America and Downs in Australia.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q4. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). [U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]

Assertion (A): The Pampas plain is the main region for cultivation in Argentina.

Reason (R): The fertile soil of Pampas and the temperate climate are very useful for growing crops and grasses.

Choose the correct answer from the code given below:

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.

(d) (A) is false but (R) is true.

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. The Pampas is a grassland biome of South America consisting of flat and fertile plains, mainly located in Argentina and extending into Uruguay and Brazil. Hence, assertion (A) is correct.
2. The Pampas region has rich, deep fertile soil and a temperate climate, which provide favourable conditions for crop cultivation and grass growth. Hence, reason (R) is correct.
3. Hence, reason (R) is the correct explanation of assertion (A).
4. Hence, option (a) is correct

Q5. The wide treeless grassy plain in South America are called: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

(a) Selvas

(b) Pampas

(c) Prairies

(d) Steppes

Ans. (b)

Explanation:

1. Pampas are the wide, treeless grasslands of South America and are known for their highly fertile plains.
2. These grasslands extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes Mountains and are mainly spread across Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q6. Which one of the following is not correctly matched? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2002]

(a) Downs — Tropical grassland

(b) Steppes — Temperate grassland

(c) Selva — Tropical forest

(d) Taiga — Temperate forest

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. Tropical grasslands are found between equatorial evergreen forests and hot desert regions. Their examples include Llanos, Campos, and Savanna. Hence, Downs is not a tropical grassland.
2. Temperate grasslands include Prairies, Pampas, Steppes, Veld, and Downs. Hence, Steppes are correctly matched with temperate grasslands.
3. Selvas are tropical evergreen rainforests found in the Amazon Basin, while Taiga refers to temperate/coniferous forests. Hence, these matches are correct.
4. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Q7. Which one of the following natural regions is known as 'Land of Big Games'? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Temperate Grassland

(b) Tropical Monsoon Region

(c) Hot Desert Region

(d) Tropical Savanna Region

Ans. (d)

Explanation:

1. The tropical savanna region is traditionally known as the “Land of Big Game” because of its abundance and diversity of large mammals.
2. Important herbivores include elephants, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, giraffes and various antelopes. Major predators include lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Q8. The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2021]

1. Burrowing animals and termites
2. Fire
3. Grazing herbivores
4. Seasonal rainfall
5. Soil properties

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 4 and 5

(c) 2, 3 and 4

(d) 1, 3 and 5

Ans. (c)

Explanation:

1. The growth of forests in savanna regions is mainly restricted due to frequent fires, grazing by grass-eating herbivores, and seasonal rainfall patterns. Hence, statement 2, 3 and 4 are correct.
2. Seasonal rainfall causes vegetation to dry up during the summer season, increasing the chances of fire and preventing the development of dense forests.
3. The abundance of grazing animals also limits the growth of trees by consuming grasses and young plants.

Hence, option (c) is correct

Q9. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2017]

Code:

(a) 3 4 2 1

(b) 3 2 1 4

(c) 4 1 2 3

(d) 4 2 1 3

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. Pampas are the temperate grasslands of Argentina, mainly found in South America. Hence, A–3 is correct.
2. Pustaz (Puszta) refers to the grasslands of Hungary. Hence, B–4 is correct.
3. Veld are the grasslands of South Africa. Hence, C–2 is correct.
4. Downs are the grasslands of Australia. Hence, D–1 is correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct