Situationships

1.    What is the big difference between dating now and some decades ago (lines 1-7)?

• a.   There is not such a big difference; young people still date in much the same way.

• b.   Earlier you were already seen as a couple if you went out together; not now.

• c.   Dating happens a lot via dating apps nowadays; it takes ages before they actually meet.

• d.   Young people don’t do milkshakes together anymore, and they watch films on Netflix.

Answer explanation

       (lines 1-7). A few decades ago going out together actually meant that you were a couple. Otherwise you wouldn’t do that.

2.    What is made clear about Gen Z’s attitude towards sex and love in lines 8-20?

• a.   They are less committed to sex and love than previous generations.

• b.   They do things quite differently nowadays.

• c.   They are far more practical than earlier generations about relationships.

• d.   They have invented the ‘situationship’.

Answer explanation

       (lines 8-20) They are more pragmatic (line 10) than earlier generations: a relationship needs to fit into their lives. They are still interested in love and sex, though.

3.    What is said about situationships in lines 21-38? Tick the ‘correct’ boxes.

• O   Situationships are a relatively new phenomenon.

• O   Situationships are particularly popular in North America.

• O   Situationships are typically for young people, not for older generations.

• O   One of the characteristics of a situationship is that it is not really aiming for the long term.

Answer explanation

True   it is a Gen Z thing and it became very popular in the course of 2020 (lines 23 & 32)

       O   Not true       people from all over the world are interested (lines 32-34).

       O   Not true       It is not mentioned specifically, but it is implied that although it is particularly popular with Gen Z, the concept attracts lots of others as well: the phrase ‘especially among young daters’ (lines 35-36) shows that it is not exclusive for them.

True        It is not meant to evolve into a proper relationship. That might still hap

4.    Which line further down in the text reflects the basic sentiment about situationships expressed in lines 21-38?

Answer explanation

‘No need to be ‘going somewhere’. This refers to the fact that a situationship ‘does not necessarily have a ‘long-term time horizon’ (lines 25-26).

5.    Lines 40-45 give a very good definition of what a situationship looks like. In what way does the example of the university students fit into that definition (lines 39-52)?

• a.   It would suit these students because they are not going anywhere; they are both at university and having fun.

• b.   They are young people who have fun together now, but don’t want to commit because they may have to split up because of time and location.

• c.   They want to have fun with other people too, not just with one partner, especially at university.

• d.   They don’t want to commit, especially at university because they have to study too hard.

Answer explanation

       (lines 39-52) They are at university, so there is a time and location constraint on their relationship: they may have to split up when they finish their education and move to different places for jobs. Commitment in a relationship does not suit such a situation.

6.    What is meant by the ‘relationship escalator’ in line 54 (lines 53-66)?

• a.   An escalator moves up: you start as friends, then perhaps fall in love, then become a couple and finally marry.

• b.   It means that as soon as you fall in love, the next logical step is that you get into a committed relationship.

• c.   It means that as soon as you fall in love, you lose control and the relationship moves you up whether you want to or not.

• d.   It means that if you don’t commit in a relationship and step into that elevator, you are wasting time.

Answer explanation

       (lines 53-66) The elevator symbolises the various subsequent steps you take in a relationship if and when you are committed: ‘a linear structure with the goal of hitting conventional relationship milestones, such as co-habitation, engagement and marriage (lines 55-57).

7.    What does the word this in line 67 refer to ?

Answer explanation

It refers to the grey area of an undefined relationship that is not going anywhere

8.    What does Prof Armstrong mean when she says that Gen Z are holding their cards close to their chests in lines 73-74 (lines 67-76)?

• a.   They are afraid to get hurt if they say they want a real relationship.

• b.   They don’t want to tell anyone about their relationships.

• c.   They are afraid to admit that they want their relationship to be going somewhere.

• d.   They are unwilling to show their feelings in a relationship.

Answer explanation

       (lines 67-76) They seem very reluctant to share their feelings with their partner. Why that is is not really explained here.

9.    Read lines 77-98 once again, then answer the question. What does Amanda Huhman believe most people in her generation think of situationships (lines 99-107)?

• a.   They think it is a fantastic solution for the time being.

• b.   They think it will possibly lead to disappointment.

• c.   She only gives her own opinion.

• d.   They don’t quite know what to think of it in the hectic lives they lead.

Answer explanation

       (lines 99-107) She thinks this generation lives a very busy lifestyle and has adjusted their relationships to that. Amanda says they find this dating culture chaotic and confusing’ (lines 104-105).

10.    What is said about Gen Z and their relationships in lines 108-122?

• a.   They come second in their lives; they are more concerned with realising their own goals first.

• b.   They don’t want to get involved in dating because they are more selfish than young people used to be.

• c.   They think the world is in too bad a state to think about dating.

• d.   They are quite happy to do a bit of online dating, but nothing more for the time being.

Answer explanation

          (lines 108-122) They want personal, professional and financial stability first (line 118), especially because there is so much uncertainty in the world right now.