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Schleswig-Holstein Abitur English study materials
Schleswig-Holstein Abitur English study resources

Schleswig-Holstein Abitur English practice questions

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Question 1Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a listening task, you hear: "The museum is closed on Mondays, but it opens late, at eleven, on Sundays." When does the museum open on Sundays?

  1. At eleven o'clock Correct answer.
  2. At nine o'clock
  3. At the usual morning time
  4. It stays closed all day

Explanation

The speaker contrasts the Monday closure with a specific Sunday detail and gives the opening time explicitly as eleven. Listening for the time expression attached to the named day is the key skill here.

Question 2Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "I'd rather we didn't book the early train; the later one gives us time for breakfast." What does the speaker want to do?

  1. Cancel the journey
  2. Skip breakfast
  3. Book two tickets
  4. Take a later train Correct answer.

Explanation

The structure 'I'd rather we didn't...' expresses a preference against the early train, and the reason given points to the later departure. The listener must connect the negative preference with the positive alternative.

Question 3Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "The council has postponed the decision on the new cycle lane until after the summer holidays." What happened to the decision?

  1. It has been delayed Correct answer.
  2. It has been approved
  3. It has been withdrawn
  4. It has been rejected

Explanation

The verb 'postpone' means to move something to a later time, so the decision is deferred rather than settled. Recognising this single lexical item is enough to answer.

Question 4Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A radio announcer says: "Tickets go on sale at nine, and the first hundred callers get a free programme." What is offered to the first hundred callers?

  1. A backstage tour
  2. A free programme Correct answer.
  3. A signed poster
  4. A discounted ticket

Explanation

The second clause names the bonus directly: the first hundred callers receive a free programme. The sale time is separate information and should not be confused with the offer.

Question 5Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A student says: "I handed in the essay on Friday, but the tutor says she never received it." What is the student's problem?

  1. The essay was too short
  2. The tutor rejected the topic
  3. The tutor has no record of the essay Correct answer.
  4. The essay was handed in late

Explanation

The contrast between handing in the essay and the tutor's report creates the problem: the submission appears not to have arrived. Listeners must combine both clauses to identify the conflict.

Question 6Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A guide says: "Please keep to the path here; the ground beyond the fence is unstable after the rain." Why should visitors stay on the path?

  1. The fence is being repaired
  2. The ground off the path is unsafe Correct answer.
  3. The path leads to the exit
  4. Photography is forbidden there

Explanation

The reason clause explains that the ground beyond the fence is unstable, which makes leaving the path dangerous. The instruction and its justification are linked by the word 'after the rain'.

Question 7Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "The flight was delayed by two hours, so we missed the last bus and took a taxi instead." How did the travellers get home?

  1. By taxi Correct answer.
  2. By train
  3. By bus
  4. On foot

Explanation

The chain of events ends with the alternative chosen after the missed bus: a taxi. Following the sequence of consequences is the listening skill being tested.

Question 8Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "Honestly, the exhibition was nowhere near as good as the reviews suggested." What is the speaker's opinion?

  1. The exhibition was too crowded
  2. The exhibition exceeded expectations
  3. The reviews were unfair
  4. The exhibition disappointed them Correct answer.

Explanation

The comparative structure 'nowhere near as good as' signals a strong negative judgement relative to the reviews. The speaker expected more and found the reality worse.

Question 9Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a lecture you hear: "Contrary to popular belief, the printing press did not immediately replace scribes; handwritten copying continued for decades." What point is the lecturer making?

  1. Scribes were better than printers
  2. Change brought by the press was gradual Correct answer.
  3. The press was never widely used
  4. Handwriting disappeared at once

Explanation

The lecturer corrects a misconception by stressing that handwritten copying persisted for decades after the press appeared. The contrast with 'popular belief' frames the argument as one about the pace of change.

Question 10Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "If the funding had been approved in March, we would have started the project by now." What does the speaker imply?

  1. The project began in March
  2. The project is already finished
  3. The project has not yet started Correct answer.
  4. Funding was approved on time

Explanation

The third conditional describes an unreal past condition, so the funding was not approved and the start did not happen. Listeners must recognise that the hypothetical result did not occur.

Question 11Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "The survey found that most residents support the new bus route, although few of them expect to use it themselves." What does the survey show?

  1. Support and personal use differ Correct answer.
  2. Residents oppose the route
  3. Most residents will use the bus
  4. The survey was inconclusive

Explanation

The concessive 'although' sets up a contrast between general approval and low personal use. The item tests whether the listener can hold two apparently conflicting findings together.

Question 12Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The company's profits rose sharply last quarter; whether that can be sustained is another question." What is the speaker doing?

  1. Praising the management
  2. Qualifying a positive report Correct answer.
  3. Predicting immediate collapse
  4. Denying that profits rose

Explanation

The speaker first states a positive fact and then adds a caveat about its durability. This hedging move is signalled by the phrase 'whether that can be sustained is another question'.

Question 13Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear a voicemail: "Hi, it's Jonas. The meeting's been moved to Thursday at two, not Wednesday. Could you let the others know? I'm on a train and can't reach them." What does Jonas ask the listener to do?

  1. Reschedule the train
  2. Call him back immediately
  3. Cancel the meeting
  4. Inform the other participants Correct answer.

Explanation

The request is contained in the question 'Could you let the others know?', supported by his explanation that he cannot reach them. Separating the request from the background detail is the task.

Question 14Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A lecturer says: "Note that the figures in the second column are estimates, not measurements." Why does the lecturer say this?

  1. To correct a spelling error
  2. To introduce a new topic
  3. To praise the researchers
  4. To warn against over-interpreting the data Correct answer.

Explanation

Distinguishing estimates from measurements cautions listeners about how much weight the figures can bear. The discourse marker 'Note that' introduces a methodological caveat.

Question 15Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "Rather than cutting the service altogether, the council decided to reduce its frequency." What did the council do?

  1. It kept the service but ran it less often Correct answer.
  2. It raised the fares
  3. It ended the service completely
  4. It increased the number of buses

Explanation

The structure 'rather than X, Y' rejects the first option and states the one chosen: reducing frequency while keeping the service. Recognising this contrast pattern is essential.

Question 16Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "I wasn't going to apply for the scholarship, but my teacher talked me into it." What happened?

  1. The teacher applied on the speaker's behalf
  2. The speaker refused to apply
  3. The speaker missed the deadline
  4. The teacher persuaded the speaker to apply Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrasal verb 'talk someone into something' means to persuade them to do it. The 'but' signals a change of mind caused by the teacher.

Question 17Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "The report is due on the fifteenth, but the department has agreed to a short extension for anyone affected by the strike." What does the department allow?

  1. A new assignment
  2. A shorter report
  3. Extra time for some students Correct answer.
  4. An oral exam instead

Explanation

An extension means additional time, and it is limited to those affected by the strike. The listener must catch both the meaning of 'extension' and the restriction 'for anyone affected'.

Question 18Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The film is worth seeing for the photography alone, even if the plot is thin." What is the speaker's overall view?

  1. The photography is disappointing
  2. The film should be avoided
  3. The plot is the best feature
  4. The film is worth watching despite a weakness Correct answer.

Explanation

The construction 'worth seeing for X alone, even if Y' concedes a weakness while recommending the film. The recommendation outweighs the criticism.

Question 19Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a discussion you hear: "It's not that the plan is too expensive; it's that nobody has explained how it would work." What is the speaker's objection?

  1. The speed of the decision
  2. The choice of contractor
  3. The high cost of the plan
  4. A lack of clarity about the plan Correct answer.

Explanation

The 'not that X; it's that Y' pattern explicitly rejects cost and substitutes a different objection: the plan has not been explained. Listeners must follow the correction rather than the first idea mentioned.

Question 20Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The study's sample was small, so its conclusions should be treated with caution." What is the logical relationship between the two parts?

  1. A conclusion is presented as certain
  2. A limitation leads to a reduced claim Correct answer.
  3. A method is praised as reliable
  4. A result contradicts an earlier study

Explanation

The 'so' marks a consequence: the small sample is a limitation, and the recommended caution is the resulting qualification of the findings. Identifying cause and conclusion is the analytical task.

Question 21Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "Had the warning been issued earlier, the evacuation could have been completed before the storm." What is implied about the evacuation?

  1. No evacuation was ordered
  2. It was not finished before the storm Correct answer.
  3. The warning came too early
  4. It was completed in good time

Explanation

The inverted third conditional 'Had the warning been issued...' presents an unreal past, so the evacuation was not completed in time. Recognising the inversion as equivalent to 'If the warning had been issued' is required.

Question 22Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A lecturer says: "The data are suggestive rather than conclusive, and further trials are needed before any recommendation is made." What is the lecturer's stance?

  1. Eager to publish immediately
  2. Critical of other researchers
  3. Cautious about drawing practical conclusions Correct answer.
  4. Confident that the treatment works

Explanation

The paired contrast 'suggestive rather than conclusive' plus the call for further trials signals scientific caution. The stance is about the strength of evidence, not about other people's work.

Question 23Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "While the mayor acknowledged the criticism, she stopped short of apologising." What does the sentence tell us?

  1. She apologised but rejected the criticism
  2. She resigned because of the criticism
  3. She recognised the complaints but did not apologise Correct answer.
  4. She ignored the criticism entirely

Explanation

The concessive 'while' admits one action, and 'stopped short of' means she came close to but did not perform the second. Both parts must be combined to get the precise position.

Question 24Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "It would be misleading to describe the decline as dramatic; it has been steady, and modest, over ten years." What is the speaker doing?

  1. Correcting an exaggerated description Correct answer.
  2. Predicting a future rise
  3. Confirming a dramatic decline
  4. Rejecting the idea of any decline

Explanation

The speaker proposes a more accurate wording, replacing 'dramatic' with 'steady, and modest'. The conditional 'It would be misleading to...' is a polite way of challenging the original description.

Question 25Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a panel discussion you hear: "Far from resolving the dispute, the new regulation has given both sides fresh grounds for complaint." What is the speaker's assessment?

  1. The regulation made the dispute worse Correct answer.
  2. Both sides welcomed the regulation
  3. The regulation was never introduced
  4. The regulation settled the dispute

Explanation

The idiom 'far from' reverses the expectation: instead of resolving the dispute, the regulation supplied new complaints. The listener must process the negation of the expected outcome.

Question 26Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear a station announcement: "The 8.15 service to Kiel will depart from platform 3 instead of platform 1, and passengers for Flensburg should change at Schleswig." A traveller heading to Kiel should now go to which platform?

  1. Platform 1
  2. Platform 3 Correct answer.
  3. Platform 8
  4. Platform 15

Explanation

The announcement explicitly states that the Kiel service departs from platform 3 rather than the originally planned platform 1, so the change of platform is the key information the listener must extract. Numbers mentioned as times (8.15) or as the old platform must not be confused with the new departure point.

Question 27Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A tour guide says: "We'll spend forty minutes at the harbour, then walk to the museum, where you'll have an hour before the bus leaves at half past four." How long will the group have inside the museum?

  1. Half an hour
  2. Forty minutes
  3. Four hours
  4. One hour Correct answer.

Explanation

The guide gives two separate time spans: forty minutes at the harbour and one hour at the museum. Listeners must attach each duration to the correct location rather than mixing them up.

Question 28Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "I'd have finished the essay last night if my laptop hadn't crashed." What does the speaker imply about the essay?

  1. It was completed on a different computer.
  2. It was not completed last night because of a technical problem. Correct answer.
  3. It was finished but the laptop crashed afterwards.
  4. It will be finished tonight without any problem.

Explanation

The third conditional with 'would have finished' plus 'if ... hadn't crashed' describes an unreal past result: the essay was not finished, and the laptop crash is given as the cause. The structure signals a past situation that did not happen.

Question 29Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A radio presenter says: "The council claims the new cycle lanes have cut traffic by a fifth, though the figures cover only the first three months." What is the presenter doing?

  1. Questioning how reliable the council's figure is Correct answer.
  2. Confirming that traffic has fallen permanently
  3. Rejecting the idea that cycle lanes affect traffic
  4. Reporting that the council has withdrawn its claim

Explanation

The concessive 'though' introduces a limitation: the data cover only three months, which casts doubt on how much weight the claim can bear. The presenter reports the claim without endorsing it as proven.

Question 30Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear a student say: "The seminar was supposed to last two hours, but the tutor let us go after fifty minutes because the projector failed." Why did the seminar end early?

  1. Too few students had turned up.
  2. Equipment in the room stopped working. Correct answer.
  3. The tutor had another appointment.
  4. The room had been double-booked.

Explanation

The reason introduced by 'because' is the failure of the projector, which is a piece of equipment. The causal clause after 'because' is the part of the utterance that answers a 'why' question.

Question 31Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In an interview you hear: "We had expected the campaign to reach maybe five thousand people; in the end it reached ten times that." How many people did the campaign reach?

  1. Ten thousand
  2. Fifty thousand Correct answer.
  3. Five thousand
  4. Fifteen thousand

Explanation

'Ten times that' refers back to the earlier figure of five thousand, so the total is fifty thousand. The listener must resolve the anaphoric 'that' and then perform the multiplication.

Question 32Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "You could try ringing the office again, but I wouldn't hold your breath." What does the speaker mean?

  1. You should breathe deeply before calling.
  2. Calling again is the best possible solution.
  3. The office is definitely closed today.
  4. Success is unlikely, so do not expect it. Correct answer.

Explanation

The idiom 'not hold your breath' means not to expect something to happen soon or at all. The 'but' signals that the suggestion is offered with little confidence in its success.

Question 33Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A lecturer says: "The Romans built roads primarily for troop movements; their role in trade came later and was, in a sense, a by-product." Which statement best reflects the lecturer's point?

  1. The Romans built roads only after trade routes had been established.
  2. Trade use of the roads followed and was secondary to their military purpose. Correct answer.
  3. The roads were built mainly to support long-distance trade.
  4. Trade and troop movements were equally important from the start.

Explanation

The lecturer ranks the two functions: military movement is 'primary', trade came 'later' and is described as 'a by-product'. The correct answer preserves both the sequence and the relative importance.

Question 34Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "The library will be closed on Monday for staff training, and any books due that day will not be charged a late fee until Wednesday." What does this mean for a book due on Monday?

  1. It can be returned by Wednesday without a fine. Correct answer.
  2. It must be returned on Monday despite the closure.
  3. It is automatically renewed for a week.
  4. It will be fined from Tuesday onwards.

Explanation

The announcement postpones any late fee until Wednesday for items due on the closure day, so returning by Wednesday avoids a charge. The listener must connect the closure, the due date and the fine rule.

Question 35Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "Not only did the team miss the deadline, but they also failed to inform anyone that they would." What is the speaker's main criticism?

  1. The team missed the deadline and gave no warning. Correct answer.
  2. The team informed people too early about a delay.
  3. The team informed everyone but still missed the deadline.
  4. The team delivered late but communicated well.

Explanation

The correlative 'not only ... but also' adds a second failure to the first: missing the deadline is compounded by not informing anyone. Both elements together form the criticism.

Question 36Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "The museum's audio guide is available in eight languages, but the temporary exhibition is described only in German and English." A visitor who speaks only French wants to understand the temporary exhibition. What follows from the announcement?

  1. The audio guide will not help with the temporary exhibition. Correct answer.
  2. French is one of the eight audio-guide languages but not used in the exhibition.
  3. The audio guide covers the exhibition in French.
  4. The temporary exhibition has no descriptions at all.

Explanation

The guide's eight languages apply to the museum generally, while the temporary exhibition is limited to German and English. A French-only visitor therefore cannot rely on the audio guide for that exhibition.

Question 37Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The proposal is sound in principle; my concern is whether we can afford it this year." Which best captures the speaker's position?

  1. Confident that the money is available.
  2. Opposed to the idea on principle.
  3. Indifferent to both the idea and the cost.
  4. Supportive of the idea but doubtful about the timing. Correct answer.

Explanation

The first clause approves the proposal ('sound in principle'), while 'my concern is whether' raises a reservation about affordability this year. The position combines approval of the idea with doubt about feasibility now.

Question 38Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A lecturer says: "It is often assumed that bilingual children are slower to acquire language; in fact, the evidence shows they reach the same milestones at roughly the same age." What is the lecturer doing with the common assumption?

  1. Confirming it with new data
  2. Correcting it with research evidence Correct answer.
  3. Treating it as irrelevant to the topic
  4. Explaining why it cannot be tested

Explanation

The phrase 'it is often assumed ... in fact' is a classic corrective move: the common belief is stated and then overturned by evidence. The lecturer replaces the assumption with the research finding.

Question 39Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear a podcast host say: "Critics called the reform rushed; the minister, for her part, insisted it had been discussed for over a year." What is the host reporting?

  1. The critics' support for the minister's position
  2. Two opposing views on how carefully the reform was prepared Correct answer.
  3. Agreement that the reform was prepared too quickly
  4. The minister's admission that the reform was rushed

Explanation

The host juxtaposes the critics' charge of haste with the minister's counter-claim of lengthy discussion. 'For her part' marks the second view as a contrasting response, so the report presents a disagreement about preparation.

Question 40Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A recorded message says: "Thank you for calling. Our opening hours are nine to five on weekdays; calls on Saturdays are handled by an answering service only." What can a caller expect on a Saturday?

  1. Longer opening hours than usual
  2. A call-back from staff on Monday morning
  3. The same service as on weekdays
  4. No live staff, only a recorded service Correct answer.

Explanation

The message distinguishes weekday hours from Saturday handling, stating that Saturdays are covered by an answering service only. 'Only' restricts Saturday contact to the automated service.

Question 41Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

Read this passage: 'When the ferry docked at Kiel, Lena had already been waiting for two hours, her suitcase beside her and her ticket folded into quarters.' What does the sentence most directly tell us about Lena's situation?

  1. She had only just decided to make the crossing.
  2. She had lost her ticket somewhere on the journey.
  3. She arrived at the harbour well before the ship came in. Correct answer.
  4. She was travelling to Kiel by train rather than by sea.

Explanation

The past perfect progressive 'had already been waiting for two hours' places her waiting before the docking, so she was at the harbour long before the ferry arrived. The folded ticket and the suitcase confirm she was prepared and present. Nothing in the sentence suggests loss of the ticket or a last-minute decision.

Question 42Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

A text says: 'The council's new cycling strategy is ambitious; whether it is achievable is another matter.' What is the writer's attitude towards the strategy?

  1. Supportive but doubtful about practical delivery Correct answer.
  2. Indifferent to the whole subject
  3. Completely opposed to any cycling policy
  4. Convinced it will succeed without difficulty

Explanation

The semi-colon sets an approving word ('ambitious') against a sceptical follow-up ('whether it is achievable is another matter'). This combination signals approval of the aim alongside doubt about execution. The writer neither rejects the policy outright nor predicts easy success.

Question 43Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

In a reading task, the instruction says: 'Skim the text first, then answer the questions.' What is the main purpose of skimming here?

  1. To check the spelling of individual words
  2. To memorise every sentence word for word
  3. To gain a quick overview of topic and structure before detailed reading Correct answer.
  4. To translate the whole passage into German

Explanation

Skimming means reading rapidly for gist: headings, first sentences and key nouns give a map of the text. This overview then helps you locate the sections relevant to each question. Memorising, translating and proofreading are different activities with different goals.

Question 44Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

Read: 'Not until the final paragraph does the author reveal that the narrator is blind.' What is the effect of this structural choice?

  1. Earlier details are reinterpreted in the light of the late revelation. Correct answer.
  2. The narrator's blindness has no bearing on the narrative.
  3. The reader is expected to skip the earlier paragraphs.
  4. The final paragraph becomes irrelevant to the story.

Explanation

A delayed revelation forces readers to re-read earlier clues with new understanding, a common narrative technique. Details that seemed ordinary acquire a second meaning once the information arrives. The final paragraph is therefore central, not marginal, to interpretation.

Question 45Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

A non-fiction article states: 'Figures from the Federal Statistical Office show that one in five households in the region is now single-person.' Which type of evidence is being used?

  1. A rhetorical question
  2. A personal anecdote
  3. Statistical data from an official source Correct answer.
  4. An appeal to expert opinion without numbers

Explanation

The sentence cites a quantified figure ('one in five') attributed to a named official body, which is statistical evidence. Such data is used to lend authority and precision to a claim. Anecdotes, unsupported opinion and rhetorical questions are different categories of support.

Question 46Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

Read: 'The minister promised to cut waiting times. Critics noted that the same promise had been made in three previous budgets.' How do the critics undermine the minister?

  1. By praising the minister's previous record
  2. By proving the statistics in the budget are false
  3. By offering a detailed alternative policy
  4. By pointing to a track record that casts doubt on the promise Correct answer.

Explanation

The critics do not dispute the figures; they imply that repeated unfulfilled promises reduce credibility. This is an appeal to past performance as a reason for scepticism. The rhetorical effect depends on the reader recognising the pattern of repetition.

Question 47Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

Which connective best fills the gap? 'The study was based on a small sample; ____, its conclusions should be treated with caution.'

  1. meanwhile
  2. although
  3. therefore Correct answer.
  4. for instance

Explanation

The second clause is a consequence of the first: a small sample leads to caution about conclusions. 'Therefore' expresses this causal-result relationship correctly before a comma. The other options signal contrast, simultaneity or exemplification, none of which fits the logic.

Question 48Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

A passage reads: 'Far from being a passive record of events, the diary actively shapes what its author remembers.' What does the writer claim about the diary?

  1. It influences memory rather than merely storing it. Correct answer.
  2. It is less reliable than official history books.
  3. It contains no record of events at all.
  4. It was written by someone other than its author.

Explanation

The construction 'far from being X, it is Y' rejects the passive-record idea and asserts an active role in shaping memory. The claim is about the diary's function, not about authorship or comparative reliability. Recognising this contrastive frame is the key to the answer.

Question 49Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

In an Abitur reading task you meet the word 'austerity' in a text about public spending. Which strategy best helps you infer its meaning from context?

  1. Replace it with any word of similar length.
  2. Assume it means the opposite of its context suggests.
  3. Ignore it and skip the whole paragraph.
  4. Examine the surrounding words about cuts and reduced budgets. Correct answer.

Explanation

Contextual inference works by using collocations and surrounding ideas: words like 'cuts' and 'reduced budgets' narrow the meaning of 'austerity'. This evidence-based guessing is more reliable than random substitution. Skipping the paragraph loses the information the word carries.

Question 50Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

Read: 'The company reported record profits. Its employees, by contrast, faced a pay freeze.' What contrast is being highlighted?

  1. A pay freeze affecting only the management board
  2. Falling profits alongside rising wages
  3. Record profits caused directly by the pay freeze
  4. Corporate success alongside stagnation in staff wages Correct answer.

Explanation

'By contrast' explicitly sets record profits against a pay freeze for employees, producing a fairness-related contrast. The two facts are juxtaposed, not presented as cause and effect. Careful reading of the connector prevents misreading the relationship.