The key answer of exercise 2

1

Social science

• Basic answer: Social scientists have been doing research into why couples stay together – and what their secrets are.
• Extra information students may come up with, or you may want to add: couples stay together longer if share housework, talk rather than text when they have problems, get enough sleep and don’t have kids

Neuroscience

• Basic answer: Neuroscientists have found which parts of the brain light up when you’re in love, so they can ‘see’ attraction and affection.
• Extra information students may come up with, or you may want to add: brain scans of new couples may be sufficiently revealing to see if the feelings are strong and mutual

Computer science

• Basic answer: Mathematical formula can help to narrow down partners you might like and help you find most compatible dates.
• Extra information students may come up with, or you may want to add: collaborative filtering process helps this by dividing people up into similar groups

2

Not very. The writer sounds sceptical and says: ‘The degree to which this will ensure marital success remains highly contested. Perhaps in the end we may have to accept that chemistry will never be completely understood by scientists!’