steppe
n
(usu pl 通常作复数) flat grassy plain with few trees, esp in SE Europe and Siberia (树木稀少的)大草原; (尤指东南欧和西伯利亚的)乾草原. Cf 参看 pampas, prairie, savannah, veld.
However, in recent times the old-age pension has only been paid to the poorest people because there has been an increase in the number of people out of work.189