Reading · C1 · Text 7
Bundestag
Ein Mitglied des Bundestages bekommt Geld für sich selbst, damit er davon leben kann.
A member of the Bundestag receives money for themselves so that they can live on it.
Das nennt man die Diäten.
This is called the Diäten.
Dazu bekommt er aber zusätzlich noch Geld, damit ihm nichts für seine Arbeit fehlt.
In addition, they also receive extra money so that they lack nothing for their work.
Davon stellt er Mitarbeiter ein, die ihm helfen.
With this, they hire staff to help them.
Sie regeln für ihn, was er wann machen will, oder sie besorgen für ihn wichtige Bücher.
They arrange for them what they want to do when, or they procure important books for them.
Manche sind Wissenschaftler, andere Sekretäre.
Some are scientists, others are secretaries.
Insgesamt gibt es etwa 4.500 solcher Mitarbeiter.
In total, there are about 4,500 such staff members.
18 words above C1
Grammar in this text
Infinitive clause with 'um ... zu'
damit er davon leben kann
This is a 'damit' clause expressing purpose, but the structure 'um ... zu' is not present. Actually, the text uses 'damit' clauses. Let me correct: The text contains 'damit' clauses, which are subordinate clauses expressing purpose. They are introduced by 'damit' and have the verb at the end. Example: 'damit er davon leben kann'.
Subordinate clause with 'damit' (purpose)
damit er davon leben kann
This is a purpose clause introduced by 'damit'. The conjugated verb goes to the end of the clause.
Relative clause with 'die'
die ihm helfen
This is a relative clause referring to 'Mitarbeiter'. The relative pronoun 'die' is plural nominative, and the verb is at the end.
Indefinite pronoun 'manche'
Manche sind Wissenschaftler, andere Sekretäre.
'Manche' is an indefinite pronoun meaning 'some'. It is used here as a subject, and the verb agrees in plural.
Keep going
Text from Bundestag — Klexikon, used under CC BY-SA 4.0. See sources.
Translation, glossary and grammar notes are machine-generated and inherit the same licence.