TEXT 1. 

Huge reserves of energy have been found in rocks far below the surface of the ground in Britain. It is estimated that the north and southwest regions could hold enough energy in the form of heat to provide power for millions of homes. In fact, up to a fifth of Britain's energy could be provided by this geothermal source. Extracting the heat and converting it into electricity is difficult and expensive. Thousands of bore holes would be needed; but once they were in place, the heat would keep regenerating indefinitely.

TEXT 2.

People tend to think that any new technology or device is an act of genius; something that has required vision and insight to create and then develop into a marketable product. The fact is that innovations were often already `out there' in the public domain in some form or another. They tend to evolve from notions that have been around for years but that had not, until that point, been suitably adapted. One expert calls this the 'long nose' approach to innovation, whereby new concepts come into the world slowly, gradually revealing all they have to offer.

TEXT 3.

Submarine operators have been alerted to the dangers of sea snails in a recent study. An international research team says the hardy deep-sea animals latch on to the submarines used by scientists, potentially spreading disease in pristine ecosystems. The limpet is a sea snail that lives 2,000 metres underwater but can also survive in air when a submarine emerges from the water. If it goes unnoticed, the limpet can find itself in another habitat the next time the submarine is used. As 90 per cent of limpets are infected by parasites, this poses a threat to the ecosystem; but thoroughly cleaning the submarines will solve the problem.

TEXT 4.

The Graphic Design degree provides students with a nurturing environment for learning, developing aesthetic appreciation and design skills with an emphasis on media and marketing. Students have the chance to develop their personal style, while broadening their technical repertoire as designers. The academic staff are former working artists, theorists and designers who have been successful in achieving major awards, commissions and research grants. The facilities for the graphic design program include spacious design studios, colour and monochrome darkrooms and photography studios. Students will develop skills at a professional working standard in all computer-based programs that the design industry requires.

TEXT 5.

Governments, business and many types of institutions collect, organise and record statistics. Statistics capture vital information about such things as the economy, population and the environment and therefore allow meaningful comparisons to be made. This can then inform decisions and plans made about such issues which in turn become public policies. While it may be the issues behind the statistics, rather than the statistics as such that command the public's attention, it must be recognised that it is the figures that inform these issues.

TEXT 6.

There are innumerable different species on the planet. Nobody really knows how many species there are, although many scientists have tried to estimate it. However, the complexity of trying to do this makes it impossible to establish a definitive number with any confidence. This is probably due to the fact that new species are continually appearing, while at the same time existing species evolve and some become extinct. In the past, the number of new species appearing exceeded the number of those dying out. Nowadays, however, due to human activity, this trend has reversed and as a result we are in danger of seriously disturbing our ecosystem.

TEXT 7.

It is a curious tradition that the clock on the tower of Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford is always five minutes later than standard British time. The explanation for this lies in the conservative nature of the Cathedral's clergy. It was only when the railways arrived in the middle of the nineteenth century that it became important for clocks throughout the country to be synchronised, however difficult this might be. When the Cathedral was asked to come into line, the clergy discussed the request but decided that this was an idea that needed to prove its worth before being adopted.

TEXT 8.

Zebras are members of the horse family. However, these 'stripey horses' are not used for riding. Keen riders have occasionally attempted to try. Although zebras have at times let someone sit on their back, the rider soon discovered that a zebra's neck is stiffer than a horse's, lacking the suppleness that enables riders to control the horse. The structure of a zebra's back also makes it less suitable for riding. It would undoubtedly be possible to breed zebras that would ride well, but with the arrival of the internal combustion engine there has not been much incentive to do so.