Question 278 · Federal question
A man in a wheelchair has applied for a position as an accountant. What is an example of…
German original (as asked in the real test)
Ein Mann im Rollstuhl hat sich auf eine Stelle als Buchhalter beworben. Was ist ein Beispiel für Diskriminierung? Er bekommt die Stelle nur deshalb nicht, weil er …
- A im Rollstuhl sitzt. ✓ Correct answer
- B keine Erfahrung hat.
- C zu hohe Gehaltsvorstellungen hat.
- D kein Englisch spricht.
Translation
A man in a wheelchair has applied for a position as an accountant. What is an example of discrimination? He does not get the job only because he...
- A is in a wheelchair. ✓ Correct answer
- B has no experience.
- C has salary expectations that are too high.
- D does not speak English.
Explanation
Refusing to hire someone solely due to a disability (e.g., using a wheelchair) is unlawful discrimination under Germany’s General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). The other reasons listed (lack of experience, unrealistic salary expectations, missing job-relevant language skills) are job-related criteria and can be legitimate grounds for rejection.
Tips
- Look for the phrase “only because” and identify if the reason is a protected characteristic (e.g., disability, ethnicity, religion, age, gender). Those indicate discrimination.
- Distinguish between protected traits and job-related criteria such as qualifications, experience, performance, or reasonable job requirements (like necessary language skills).
- Use elimination: remove options that are clearly tied to professional capability or negotiation factors (experience, salary, required skills).
- Remember the GG protects against unequal treatment based on inherent personal characteristics, not professional shortcomings.
Practice in the app
