Steppe

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/steppe

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the geographical classification?Ecoregion characterized by grassland plains without closed forests
2. What is the climate classification?Semi-arid or continental climate, with average annual precipitation of 250–500 mm
3. Why do steppes have so many grasses and few trees?Steppes are dry enough that trees can't grow everywhere, but they still get enough rain for grasses to thrive. The soil and climate keep the grassland open.
4. How hot and cold can it get in a steppe?In the summer, a steppe can get as hot as 45°C (115°F). In the winter, it can drop to -55°C (-65°F), and the difference between day and night can be more than 30°C (85°F).

Ecoregion: A distinct ecological region with similar climate, soil, and species.
Riparian Zones: Areas along rivers and streams where trees and shrubs typically grow.
Diurnal Temperature Fluctuation: The difference in temperature between the daytime high and nighttime low.