The results differ ____ the expectations.

• A. in contrast to
• B. contrast with
• C. compensate for
• D. puzzled/confused/perplexed by

Answer: (A)

The key idea is signaling a comparison that shows a difference between what happened and what was expected. “In contrast to” is the natural choice because it means “unlike” or “opposite to,” highlighting that the results stand in opposition to the expectations. It frames the sentence as a clear difference when the two ideas are weighed against each other.

The other options don’t fit the intended sense. “Contrast with” can be used to compare two things, but with the verb differ, it doesn’t blend as smoothly here. “Compensate for” means to make up for a shortfall, which changes the meaning entirely. “Puzzled by” would describe a reaction, not a relationship between the results and the expectations, making the sentence ungrammatical.