listening sun tours travel agents

Listening Practice Test – 105

Listening test has a set of 40 questions which you have to answer in 30 minutes. the recording has 4 sections. the recording will be played once and it will never be played again..

Questions 1 – 5

Complete the Travel agent’s notes below.

Write  NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR A NUMBER  for each answer.

SUN TOURS TRAVEL AGENTS

Example                                                                                                                    Answer Number of people                                                                                              4

Customer’s Name                                                                                                    Mr. George Collins

Other travellers                                                                                                       Mrs. Jane Collins (+ ages of children)                                                                                                (1) ……………………..                   7 years old Jennifer                                     (2) ………………

Require:              4 star quality hotel + breakfast; safe, warm, quietish, beach; pref. pool; lots of restaurants near hotel:                               no (3) ……………………. needed

Dates of Holiday                                                                                                     Friday July 8th TO (4) …………….. Sunday

Pref. Flight Time                                                                                                     Less than (5) ………………………………

Questions 6 – 10

Complete George’s notes below

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer

Possible Holiday Ideas

Top End Prices                                          Italy and France

Bottom End Prices                                    (6) ………………………………., Greece and Turkey (Turkey + Cyprus too far)

Crete                                                            Hotel Tropicana

• 1 mile safe walk on (7) ………………………to beach.
• Nice pool; only a few beach bars and restaurants.
• Really quiet; not near other tourist destinations.
• 2 miles from beach but has (8) ……………………………….service.
• Hotel in quite a busy tourist town: lots of bars, restaurants and discos.

Rhodes                                                      Ocean Hotel

• Right on beach; less than (9) ……………………………..from the rooms.
• 4 star hotel quite far from main town; eat in hotel; good meals.

Hotel Spiros

• (10) …………………………….hotel quite dose to beach (5/10 mins walk) in small village with small swimming pool.
• A few restaurants in small, quiet village; not much to do.

Questions 11 – 15

Complete the food options information sheet below.

Write  NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS  for each answer.

Solaris Hotel and Holiday Village – Food Options

Breakfast:                                             6.30am and 9.30am every day (Only in Harvest restaurant; English, American an                                                                 (11) …………………………….breakfasts on offer

Lunch                                                   12.00 noon to 2.30pm

Dinner                                                  7.00pm to 10.30pm

Menus same for lunch + dinner: see (12) …………………………………. for specials

Food Styles

The Harvest Restaurant                 Traditional English + popular UK foreign dishes (eg: curry and spaghetti)

The Dene Restaurant                       (13) ………………………………………

The Mekong Restaurant                 Far Eastern Cuisine

* All restaurants free; (14) ………………………………..needed for some specials

* All soft drinks free; pay for alcoholic drinks

* Pay any bill at end of meals or put on main bill – pay at end of holiday

• Bar menu available in (15) …………………………..for pub food
• Fast Food available until 2.30am at take away

Questions 16 – 20

Complete the activities information sheet below.

Solaris Hotel and Holiday Village – Activities

Beaches:                                                                    main beach

adult beach (17s or over)

(16) …………………………………………..on duty from 9.00am to 6.00pm on main beach (none on adult beach)

* Decked area with sun loungers in front of Harvest Restaurant with our 25 metre swimming pool

* Steps from pool area to beach – wash feet in foot pool to remove sand

* (17) ………………………………………on beach + in pool area.

8 tennis courts + 3 squash courts

Fully equipped gym (No under 18s)

6 full sized snooker tables + 5 pool tables in games room adjoining the bar.

(only charge for hiring any equipment)

Water Sports

water skiing + jet skis available (extra charge)

snorkelling, infiatables and pedallos (free)

(details from (18) ……………………………………….)

Library & Cinemas

Library contains books, magazines + newspapers. See (19) ……………………………………..for terms + conditions

2 cinemas show 3 different films each every day.

Shows at 2.00pm, 5.30pm + 8.30pm (First 2 shows always have a film for kids)

(20) ………………………………….not allowed to attend 8.30 shows

Questions 21 – 26

Complete the three tables below.

World’s Most Spoken Languages  By Number of Individual Speakers

Rank                                                                    Language                                                          No. of Speakers 1                                                                     Mandarin Chinese                                                    836 million

2                                                                     (21) …………………                                                       333 million

3                                                                         Spanish                                                                   332 million

4                                                                         English                                                                     (22) ……………………

World’s Most Spoken Languages  By Number of User Countries

Rank                                                                    Language                                                         No. of Countries 1                                                                              English                                                                       115

2                                                                              French                                                                        35

3                                                                           (23) ……………….                                                           24

4                                                                             Spanish                                                                      (24) ……………………

World’s Most Influential Languages – 6 weighing factors

1 Number of primary speakers

2 Number of (25) ……………………………..

3 Number and population of countries where languages are used

4 Number of major fields using the language internationally

5 (26) …………………………………of countries using the language

6 Socio-literary prestige of the language

Questions 27 – 30

Complete the notes below of the second half of Jamie and Rebecca’s presentation.

Jamie and Rebecca’s Presentation

Large countries currently shifting wortd economic balance of power:

China Russia India (27) …………………………….

Reasons for shift                         size of the populations cheap labour prices of (28) …………………………..

• Big growing demand for people knowing languages of above countries + for teachers and English language training
• China could be less important than possibly India or (29) ………………………………due to their population increase. English will probably remain important though
• Number of spoken languages between approx. (30) ………………………… .Hardly any of these studied by non native speakers.
• English taught in most countries with structured education program. This trend is getting stronger.

Questions 31 – 35

Complete the sentences below.

31.  Mad cow disease attacks the ………………………… of the affected cows’ brains.

32. BSE is thought to be caused by infectious forms of ………………………………… known as prions.

33. Abnormal prions in BSE infected cattle are found in the small intestines, …………………….. and the central nervous tissues.

34. Humans can take in the abnormal prions when they eat infected beef as the prions are resistant to the usual………………………………….. such as heat.

35. The one American case of CJD was a woman who caught it in……………………………before going to the US.

Questions 36 – 40

Complete the summary below of the second half of the humanities lecture on BSE.

CJD causes gradual loss of mental function and movement due to brain damage from abnormal prions or it can be possibly (36) …………………………….. CJD usually affects younger people (between ages 20 to 70) usually showing symptoms In patients’ (37) ………………………………… Symptoms include personality changes and problems with (38) …………………………… Once symptoms appear, the disorderprogresses quickly to disability and death.

The exact causes of 8SE are unknown but the first UK cases have indicated that it could come from a prion disease in (39) ………………………………. called scrapie that was fed to cattle. Dead cattle with scrapie were then fed to (40) ………………………………… making them cannibals. So, we are in turn infected by the disease that we created when we eat infected beef.

• creche facilities
• path (through fields)
• minibus (NOT “bus”)
• continental (style)
• blackboards
• fish + seafood
• extra supplement
• (2) lifeguards
• freshwater showers
• water spors office
• notice board
• children/ under 16s
• 322 million
• secondary speakers
• economic power
• Raw materials
• 2500 and 7000
• nervous functions
• (food) disinfection treatments
• genetically inherited
• coordination
• calves/ young cattle

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IELTS Listening Dreamtime Travel Agency | Cambridge 5 Test 1

by Navita Thakur | Mar 28, 2020 | 3 comments

This is an IELTS listening Test . In this test, we will cover the full 40 questions test with listening audio and quiz. The user can take the quiz and analyze the listening skills. At the end of the quiz, the score will be generated automatically. The user can also review his questions on the result page.  Before listening start you can hear the listening Example: Holiday Name- Whale watch experience. IELTS Listening Dreamtime Travel Agency. IELTS Listening Dreamtime Travel Agency | Cambridge 5 Test 1

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1 . Question

Questions 1-4 Complete the notes below. Write  NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS OR A NUMBER.

DREAMTIME TRAVEL AGENCY

2 . question.

Questions 5 and 6 Choose  TWO  letters A-E .

Which  TWO  things are included in the price of the tour?

• A. fishing trip
• B. guided bushwalk
• C. reptile park entry
• D. table tennis

3 . Question

Questions 7-10 Complete the sentences below. Write  NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER  for each answer.

7. The tour costs $ 8. Bookings must be made no later than days in advance. 9. A deposit is required. 10. The customer’s reference number is .

4 . Question

Questions 11-19 Complete the table below. Write  NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

Question 20 Complete the notes below. Write  ONE WORD ONLY  for the answer. • Metal should not be rusted or bent • Edges of cot should not be 20.  

5 . Question

 Questions 21-23 Choose the correct letter A, B and C .

21. Andrew has worked at the hospital for

• A. two years
• B. three years
• C. five years

6 . Question

22. During the course Andrew’s employers will pay

• A. his fees
• B. his living costs
• C. his salary

7 . Question

23. The part-time course lasts for

• A. one whole year
• B. 18 months
• C. two years

8 . Question

Questions 24 and 25 Choose  TWO  letters A—E .

What  TWO  types of coursework are required each month on the part-time course?

• A. a case study
• B. an essay
• C. a survey
• D. a short report
• E. a study diary

9 . Question

Questions 26-30 Complete the summary below. Write  NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER  for each answer.

Modular Courses

Students study 26.   during each module. A module takes  27. and the work is very 28. To get a Diploma each student has to study  29. and then work on 30. in depth.

10 . Question

Questions 31-35 Complete the sentences below. Write  NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS  for each answer.

31. According to George Bernard Shaw, men are supposed to understand  economics and finance. 32. However, women are more prepared to  about them. 33. Women tend to save for  and a house. 34. Men tend to save for  and for retirement. 35. Women who are left alone may have to pay for  when they are old.

Questions 36-40 Complete the summary below. Write  NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER  for each answer.

Saving for the future Research indicates that many women only think about their financial future when a 36.   occurs. This is the worst time to make decisions. It is best for women to start thinking about pensions when they are in their  37. A good way for women to develop their 38.   in dealing with financial affairs would be to attend classes in  39.   When investing in stocks and shares, it is suggested that women should put a high proportion of their savings in  40.    In such ways, women can have a comfortable, independent retirement.

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IELTS Listening Practice Test 102

Updated On Feb 24, 2022

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The audio in the IELTS listening practice test has 4 parts of varying English accents ranging from British to Australian. If you’re not used to them, it is good to take this test and familiarize yourself with the different tones and intonations. This will lend you a hand in the actual test.

Section 2 is a conversation between a doctor and a student.

Section 3 is a conversation between a new student and a lecturer.

Section 4 is a lecture about an animal living in South American.

Audio Transcription

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Questions 1-10

Questions 1-7.

Complete the notes below .

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

TRAVEL AGENCY

[do_widget id=custom_html-47]

Questions 8-10

Choose THREE letters,    A-G next to  8-10  on your answer sheet. 

Which THREE attractions can tourists visit at present in Edinburgh?

A City Hall

B Old Castles

D Art Studio

E Royal Palace

F Seabird Centre

[do_widget id=custom_html-36]

Questions 11-20

Questions 11-15, campus clinic, questions 16-18.

Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.  Write answers next to  16-18  on your answer sheet.

16 Which of these describes Mary’s problem?

B sore throat

17 How long does Mary’s symptom last?

B two weeks

C three weeks

18 What’s wrong with Mary according to the doctor?

A She got a headache.

B She got an allergy.

C She was exhausted.

Questions 19 and 20

Choose TWO letters, A-E  , and write next to 19-20  on your answer sheet.

Which TWO things does the doctor suggest?

A to have a rest at home

B to have a check-in a hospital

C to stop eating seafood

D to eat more fruits

E to take some medicine

Also check :

• IELTS Listening Answer Sheet
• IELTS listening recent actual test
• IELTS Listening preparation tips
• IELTS Listening Vocabulary
• How to Improve IELTS Listening Section 3 and 4?
• What is Signposting?

Questions 21-30

Questions 21-25.

Choose the correct letter A, B, or C  and write answers next to  21-25  on your answer sheet. 

21 The orientation meeting _____________

A took place last term.

B will take place next month.

C took place last week.

22 How many lectures will a student have in a week?

23 The number of students in one group is______________

24 Who will give the group a mark according to its representative’s presentation?

A subject advisor

25 According to the lecturer, postgraduate course is ____________

B intensive

C interesting

Questions 26-30

Answer the questions below .

Write NO MORE THAN THREE words for each answer.

26 What’s the main assessment of course?

27 . Who can choose the topic of the essay?

28 Where can students find their tutors’ names?

29 What should students use when they borrow materials from the library?

30 Where can students get the username and password?

Question 31-40

Questions 31 and 32.

Choose the correct letter A, B, or C and write answers next to 31-32 on your answer sheet. 

31 Which of the following animals is the slowest?

32 What do algae reward sloth?

B protection

C nutrition

Questions 33-38 

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

THE LIVES OF SLOTH

Sloth has a short snout, big round eyes, a 33 ___________________ tail, and small ears. The favorite activity of sloth is to 34 _____________ on trees. Sloth is also classified as 35 __________ just like horses and cattle. Average body temperature of sloth is 36 ____________ Fahrenheit. 37 _____________ will affect sloth’s body temperature. Sloths get everything on tree, even 38 _________________ which comes from juicy leaves and morning dew.

Questions 39 and 40

39 . How long does sloth digest its food?

40 . What substance can help to resolve food in sloth’s stomach?

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Courtney is one of our star content writers as she plays multiple roles. She is a phenomenal researcher and provides extensive articles to students. She is also an IELTS Trainer and an extremely good content writer. Courtney completed her English Masters at Kings College London, and has been a part of our team for more than 3 years. She has worked with the British Council and knows the tricks and tips of IELTS.

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Posted on Nov 16, 2016

can you give us the answer sheet for BONUS EXERCISE: GAP-FILLING also

Posted on Feb 16, 2017

hello can u please sent me the link of listening tape recording because i didnt find any listening tape recording of ielts material

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Should I Use a Travel Agent? Our Travel Expert Says It Makes All the Difference.

The new age of travel agents know how to find deals, book off-the-beaten path adventures, and get you out of any jam. Especially if you know who to use.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

I’ve always thought that planning my own trips was the most cost-effective way, but I’ve been hearing more about travel agents making a comeback and saving their clients a lot of money. What kinds of outdoor trips should I turn to a travel agent for, and are there any who specialize in working with adventurers like me?

Technically, I’m a professional traveler. As a journalist, it’s my job to research and connect with locals to get beneath the surface of a destination. So I have never really used travel agents. What could they plan better than I could?

A lot, it turns out. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many travel specialists, and I consider them magicians. My big aha moment happened two winters ago on a trip to Iceland . A massive storm shut down internal flights for a day, causing me to miss my return flight to the U.S. Normally, I would have spent frustrating hours on hold with the airline. But because I’d paid $65 to have Ana Gloria Garcia, an air-support specialist at the travel agency EmbarkBeyond, find and book the most affordable and convenient flight option for me, she handled the rebookings while I soaked in the Blue Lagoon.

During the pandemic, agents became advocates helping travelers get refunds on canceled flights and trips. As travel has come roaring back, an agent’s superpower is now their access to the best hotel rooms, most in-the-know guides, free amenities, and more, says Cory Hagopian, senior vice president of sales and partnerships for Virtuoso , a global network of travel agencies.

And they’re attracting a young clientele. According to a recent industry survey , 38 percent of millennials and Gen Zers are opting to use travel agents as opposed to booking on their own trips. That number is far greater than Gen Xers and baby boomers, of whom only 12 and 2 percent respectively use agents.

What Do I Gain from Using a Travel Agent?

I recently had a friend tell me she spent close to 40 hours researching a family trip online. She probably could have gleaned the same intel from an hourlong conversation with a travel adviser. Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks for things you might not have considered, says Erika Richter, a spokesperson for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). Their firsthand knowledge, vast network, and on-the-ground connections all combine to provide a unique perspective for crafting the perfect itinerary for you.

Most travel advisers specialize in certain regions and countries and travel to them frequently, so they have up-to-date intel on not only the best safari camps but the perfect tent to book for the most incredible views and the best local restaurants you won’t find on Tripadvisor. They want their client’s trips to go well to keep them coming back, so it’s in their interest to have sussed out hotels and itineraries before they send you out into the world.

Nicole Forster, 29, considers herself a savvy traveler. She’s been to 20-plus countries and enjoys destination research. But when it came to planning her honeymoon in Africa, she felt overwhelmed, so she reached out to Danielle Meyer at Coastline Travel Advisors , which specializes in bespoke itineraries. “Originally, I wanted to go to South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Madagascar,” Forster recalls. “Danielle convinced me that if we wanted to relax, we should stay in South Africa and save the other countries for separate trips.”

Over five phone conversations and multiple emails, they crafted a 15-night itinerary that included Cape Town, the winelands, the Cape Peninsula, and a safari at the Thornybush Game Reserve. Forster established her budget early in the process, and Meyer sent her a variety of lodge options to choose from.

“I initially wanted to start with the safari, but she pointed out that we’d be jet-lagged and would need to wake at sunrise for game drives,” says Forster. “The safari was our highlight, so it was a perfect way to end the trip.”

Not only did Meyer book all of the flights, hotels, and transfers, but she created a detailed, day-by-day trip app for the couple that included useful information like check-in times at hotels and how much to tip guides .

Agents also act as advocates. If something goes wrong during your travels, they’re on call 24/7 to handle it. When Forster left the battery and charger for her camera at a hotel, Meyer arranged for an on-the-ground contact to go to a camera store and buy new ones that would be delivered to her hotel the next day.

The cost for the honeymoon planning: $150 per person. “I wouldn’t use a planner for a trip to Hawaii ,” Forster says, “but if I ever took a big trip like this again, I’d 100 percent work with an expert.”  

When to Consider Using a Travel Agent

For savvy trip planners, the best time to use a travel agent is for complicated international travel. It can save you hours of planning and peace of mind that if anything goes wrong in your chosen far-flung destination, there’s someone a What’sApp message away to handle it.

Domestically, I’d consider using a travel agent when planning a multi-week national park trip or multi-island trip in Hawaii. They will save you time, guarantee you get the best guides, and help you land reservations at always-booked lodges and hotels.

Dream Trips Delivered

Jessica Cook and her husband both work in the travel industry. Decision fatigued, they handed their honeymoon logistics over to the team at Askari Travel , an agency that specializes in South Africa. Their original plan was also an African safari, but just as they were about to put a deposit down, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus made headlines. Worried about getting stuck abroad, they reached out to Askari’s founder, Muriel Truter, who is from Zimbabwe, and upon her advice, changed their focus to South America.

Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks of things you might not even have considered.

Truter suggested they stick to Colombia rather than country-hop. Cook supplied a budget and a wish list: 12 days, no more than three destinations, a barefoot-luxe feel, and adventures like horseback riding and mountain biking. The rest was a surprise that Askari pretty much nailed, with the exception of one hotel.

“Everything felt so authentic, but this one hotel on Barú island felt really fabricated and was full of American tourists,” recalls Cook. She immediately messaged the Askari team, saying, “Hey, this place really isn’t our vibe,” and within an hour they were on a water taxi headed to Blue Apple, a B Corp hotel—and an Outside pick for tropical adventures —on Tierra Bomba island. “It was honestly the best trip we’ve ever taken,” she says.

Are Travel Agents Expensive?

It depends. Cost varies. Some travel agencies won’t charge any fee, as they receive a commission from the bookings, while some high-end agencies will charge pricey annual membership fees for their services. Still others charge nominal “professional” fees starting at $150. Fees often fluctuate based on the length and intricacy of a trip and how far out you do the planning (6 to 12 months is recommended). You may occasionally come across agents who charge a percentage of the total trip price or hourly rates.

Basic travel enquiries are generally free. In 2016, Leah Smith, founder of Tafari Travel , opened an old-school brick-and-mortar location in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood so her services would feel less intimidating to first-time users. “With our retail-office location, we’ve become part of the community, and both clients and non-clients are welcome to pop in and ask whatever questions they may have, no charge,” she says.

Matt Lindsay, founder of the surf-guiding and travel company LuxSurf Travel , builds relationships with resorts and property owners to get discounted rates that he can then pass on to guests.

Dominic Allan, the founder of Real Latin America , specializes in travel to Belize and Nicaragua and caters to independent travelers who are happy to book their own flights and hotels but are seeking his local intel. Allan’s three-tier pricing structure starts at $300 for up to three hours of phone calls, during which he might weigh in on where to eat (or not to), the best room to request in a certain lodge, or whether you really need a guide to hike.

Value Versus Savings

If you’re just looking for deals and steals, you might not be ready to work with a travel adviser, says Richter of the ASTA. “Anything you invest in with a travel adviser comes back to you in the form of amenities, customer service, peace of mind, better access to unique experiences, and handcrafted itineraries,” she says. “You could save money by cutting your own hair, too, but most people go to someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Agents work with preferred partners who can guarantee perks for clients, such as free upgrades, early check-in or late check-out, and resort credits. Those add-ons often translate into savings, says Justin Huxter, cofounder of the UK-based Cartology Travel . “We had a client go to Maui for a week, and because of our partnership with the resort, breakfast was included,” he says. When breakfast costs $120 for two, that’s a savings of $840.”

Some of the Best Travel Agents in the Adventure World

Some of my go-to resources for finding a person to work with include travel expert Wendy Perrin’s annual Wow List of tried and trusted agents, the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s adviser network , and the ASTA’s advisor directory .

In addition to the agents mentioned throughout this story, others I highly recommend for adventurous travelers include:

• Dan Achber of Trufflepig , for Africa and the Middle East
• Miguel Cunant of Sri Lanka in Style
• Javier Echecopar of Journey Costa Rica
• Daniel Fraser of Smiling Albino , for Southeast Asia
• Elizabeth Gordon of Extraordinary Journeys , for Africa
• Kleon Howe of the Art of Travel , for French Polynesia
• Jay Johnson of Coastline Travel , for Hawaii and California
• Antonello Losito of Southern Visions Travel , for Puglia, Italy
• Rabia Malik of Fora Travel , for general worldwide travel
• Robyn Mark of Mayamaya Travel , for Africa, the Alps, Patagonia, and Japan
• Marisol Mosquera of Aracari , for Peru and Bolivia
• Zach Rabinor of Journey Mexico
• Raluca Spiac of Beyond Dracula , for Romania

Travel-advice columnist Jen Murphy is now a believer in using a travel agent. Thanks to their expertise and connections, she’s avoided dozens of trip catastrophes. 

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How Helen Kilgariff set up a travel agency servicing the secretive Pine Gap spy base

Helen Kilgariff was attempting to book flights from a desk inside the most secretive intelligence facility in the country.

The Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap is largely off limits to the average Australian as it undertakes highly classified intelligence gathering around the world. 

But the Alice Springs travel agent had been given extraordinary access to operate beneath the oversized, golf-ball-shaped "radomes" on the edge of town.

It was the 1990s and it wasn't easy.

Helen couldn't even carry a computer or take a mobile phone through the front security gates.

"You couldn't even really look up the flights that were available," Ms Kilgariff said.

"It was frustrating because you had none of your tools there. You had a pencil and paper."

After about six months she pulled the pin, but travel bookings continued thick and fast for the spies in the outback .

Travel agent to the spies

"My sister and I had a travel agency," Ms Kilgariff said.

"And we had lots of American clients."

The travel agency was on the main shopping strip in Alice Springs — Todd Street.

Set up in 1985, business was booming by the mid-1990s thanks in part to the influx of Americans.

"There were lots of people. The base [Pine Gap] increased in size and we knew that only because we'd have extra clients," Ms Kilgariff said.

Given the demand, she said she was given access to help Pine Gap staff book holidays — but remembers it was all very "secret".

"I knew that the CIA was out there [at Pine Gap] and I could probably have told you which of our clients were CIA," she said.

She remembers booking holidays for one client, in particular, former National Security Agency (NSA) spy David Rosenberg, who worked at Pine Gap .

"I'm so trained up not to say anything," Ms Kilgariff said.

"He did a Europe trip once that was, I thought, 'Oh my God, that is a great trip.'"

The 'hardship' tour in the Australian outback 

Mr Rosenberg told the Expanse podcast that Pine Gap was classified as a hardship tour because it was so isolated.

"Also, I think because of the weather. It was very oppressively hot," he said.

Mr Rosenberg, a former weapons signals analyst, worked at the intelligence facility from 1990 to 2008.

He loved living in Alice Springs and said there was significant compensation for taking a position in outback Australia.

This included additional leave and travel perks.

"They added quite a bit of extra money onto your salary," Mr Rosenberg said.

"They also flew us business class.

"If you had a car they would ship your car over for you at no cost and you could drive your left-hand drive vehicle around Alice Springs."

Mr Rosenberg remembers travel agent Helen Kilgariff as a "wonderful person, a bubbly personality".

He would pop into the travel agency to say hello even when he wasn't booking a trip.

Under surveillance 

Ms Kilgariff was quite sure she and her sister were investigated when the travel agency was booking flights for Pine Gap staff. 

"They would have looked into us to make sure that we were OK," she said.

"You can't have that much to do with people who were top secret without … some sort of little profile."

Ms Kilgariff said there are things she learnt while booking travel for Pine Gap staff that she still won't talk about today.

But it's unlikely a local travel agent today would ever gain the level of access Helen Kilgariff once had to Pine Gap.

Following the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, security scaled up significantly.

"All of the facilities everywhere had been placed on heightened alert," Mr Rosenberg said.

"They were searching everybody. Every car had to be searched as well. So security was so heightened at that time."

Follow Expanse: Spies in the Outback on the ABC Listen app to hear every episode.

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IELTS Mock Test 2022 February

• Published on: 08 Feb 2022
• Tests taken: 573,898

Answer Keys:

Part 1: Question 1 - 8

• 1 8:00 a.m./8 a.m
• 3 18 pounds
• 4 guide fee
• 5 reserve a seat

Part 2: Question 11 - 19

• 13 American
• 14 17th King street
• 15 gastritis

Part 3: Question 21 - 30

• 26 (the) assignment
• 27 student(s)
• 28 website/ on their website
• 29 (a) Library Card
• 30 (The) Computer Centre/Center

Part 4: Question 31 - 40

• 35 herbivores
• 36 93 (degrees)
• 37 Surrounding temperature
• 40 bacteria

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Introduction of IELTS Reading

The IELTS Reading Academic module consists of three passages totalling approximately 2,500 words. The passages are similar to the kind of articles...

01 Jan 2018

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Review & Explanations:

Questions 1-7

Complete the notes below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

TRAVEL AGENCY

Questions 8-10

Choose THREE letters, A-G .

Which THREE attractions can tourists visit at present in Edinburgh?

• A City Hall
• B Old Castles
• D Art Studio
• E Royal Palace
• F Seabird Centre

Questions 11-15

Questions 16-18.

Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

Which of these describes Mary’s problem?

• B sore throat

How long does Mary’s symptom last?

• B two weeks
• C three weeks

What’s wrong with Mary according to the doctor?

• A She got headache.
• B She got allergy.
• C She was exhausted.

Questions 19-20

Choose TWO letters, A-E.

Which TWO things does the doctor suggest?

• A to have a rest at home
• B to have a check in a hospital
• C to stop eating seafood
• D to eat more fruits
• E to take some medicine

Questions 21-25

Choose the correct letter A, B or C.

The orientation meeting _____________

• A took place last term.
• B will take place next month.
• C took place last week.

How many lectures will a student have in a week?

The number of students in one group is______________

Who will give the group a mark according to its representative’s presentation?

• A subject advisor

According to the lecturer, postgraduate course is ____________

• B intensive
• C interesting

Questions 26-30

Answer the questions below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

What’s the main assessment of course?

Who can choose the topic of essay?

Where can students find their tutors’ names?

What should students use when they borrow materials from library?

Where can students get the username and password?

Questions 31-32

Which of the following animals is the slowest?

What does algae reward sloth?

• B protection
• C nutrition

Questions 33-38

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Questions 39-40

How long does sloth digest its food?

What substance can help to resolve food in sloth’s stomach?

Clerk: Good morning. Wonderful travel agency. How can I help you? Tourist: Good morning. I’d like to know about the information about your short trip. What’s the name of the trip? Clerk: Magic One Day . Tourist: Right. Could you introduce me to the tour? Clerk: Of course. And we will give you a 5% discount if you book the latest trip. Tourist: Fine. When is the next one going? Clerk: We have a trip every Saturday, which usually departs at 8:00 o’clock in the morning. Tourist: And when will we come back? Clerk: About 6:00 o’clock in the afternoon. Tourist: Fine. How about the type of transportation ? Clerk: We like to keep our tours small, so we offer a coach or a minibus . Tourist: That’s great. So how many tourists are there in one group? Clerk: Usually, we take about 15 to 20 tourists. But you know it is a peak time now, so the number is up to 25 tourists. Tourist: Well, that sounds good. So how much is the tour price? Clerk: As I said I will give you a 5% discount, so the cost is 18 pounds for each person. Tourist: Great. Does it include lunch? Clerk: No, but the guide fee has been included. Tourist: Do I need to book a seat? Clerk: Yes. At peak season, in order to ensure your position, seat reservation is needed. So the tourist has to reserve a seat at least two days before leaving. Tourist: OK. And how about the deposits ? Clerk: You don’t need to pay any fees in advance . Tourist: Fine. How about payments? Cash or credit card? Clerk: Because we collect money just before departing, the only payment we accept is cash. Tourist: Fine. I see. Clerk: That’s OK. And let me confirm you with your customer reference number. Tourist: Fine. Clerk: That is FC864 . Tourist: Right. I write it down. Clerk. How about other things do you want to know? Tourist: Er, yes. I’d like to know what attractions we will visit during the tour. Clerk: Well, let me check the time schedule . We will start at 8 o’clock, and will arrive at Edinburgh about 10 o’clock. The first resort we will visit is Old Castles , the most famous Scottish castles . It is the home of the Scottish Crown Jewels the oldest Royal Regalia in Britain. Tourist: Well. May I take photos? Clerk: Of course. Tourist: I heard that the City Hall is a good place. Will we go there? Clerk: The next tour does not include that place. Tourist: OK. Clerk: And then we will go to see St. Giles’ Cathedral with 1,000 years history. It is renowned for its stained glass, Rieger organ and beautiful Thistle chapel. Tourist: Great. Is it near to the zoo? Clerk: Yes. After lunch you will visit Royal Palace . It is a good place to know about royal family’s life, but it has a rule with no photo. Tourist: Right. Clerk: But, you can pick some souvenirs in the local handicraft shops closed to the palace. Tourist: Great. Clerk: And about 4 o’clock, we will get to the Seabird Centre. Tourist: Do you mean the aquarium ? Clerk: No. They are different places. Tourist: OK. Does it have an animal performance ? Clerk: Sure. You can appreciate the play of dolphin and sea lion. Tourist: It sounds good. Clerk: About 6 o’clock we will return. If you need other information, please read our tour booklet . Tourist: Fine. Thank you very much. Clerk: You are welcome. Good-bye. Tourist: Good-bye.

Mary: Good afternoon, doctor. May I come in? Doctor: Yes. Come in. Mary: I’m a freshman in the university and 1 don’t feel very good. Doctor: OK, sit down please. I need to record some basic details about, you first. Mary: Fine. Doctor: What’s your full name? Mary: Mary Nixon. Doctor: Is your surname spelt N-I-X-O-N? Mary: That’s right. Doctor: Well. Mary, what’s your major? Mary: I’m studying Art . Doctor: A good choice. Tell me your registered number . Mary: Registered number? Sorry, I’m not sure… may be… Doctor: Did you bring your Union Card of Library Card? Mary: Yes. I brought it. Doctor: OK. Well tell me the number on your card. Mary: It is MN0918 . Doctor: And your birthday? Mary: I was born on November 20th 1987 . Doctor: Where are you from? Mary: I come from New York . Doctor: Oh, we are from the same city. Mary: Really? Doctor: Yes. Where do you live? Campus accommodation ? Mary: Actually, I wall move out from campus flat tomorrow. I rent a house in North-West with three friends. Doctor: Fine. Tell me your present address. Mary: It is 17th King street. Doctor: OK. And your contact number? Mary: 3678259. Doctor: Right. Now, let’s get some of your medical background. Mary: OK. Doctor: Have you ever had any serious illnesses or accidents? Mary: I got gastritis when I was in middle school. Doctor: Did you have an operation? Mary: No. I just took medicine and had some injections . Doctor: Anything else? Mary: No, nothing. Doctor: So, Mary, what’s your trouble? Mary: Well, recently I’ve been having some trouble with my head and eyes and nose… Doctor: Oh, no. Mary: I think I’ve got a terrible flu. Doctor: Maybe or maybe not. Describe your problem specifically . Mary: OK. Since last week I’ve been sneezing and sometimes I can’t stop and even later I began to feel dizzy . Doctor: Do you get a fever? Mary: No. Doctor: Did you attend any unusual activities during the last, week? Mary: Let me think… no, nothing special… yeah, I had a camping last Monday. Doctor: To where? Mary: Eastern mountain. You know there are lots of beautiful flowers. We took many photos there. Doctor: So your illness has lasted for one week ? Mary: Yes. But sometimes I’m fine. I don’t know why. Doctor: Do you have any allergies ? Mai’y: I remember I got allergic to mango when I was child, but now I’m fine. Doctor: How about flowers? I mean pollen ? Mary: You mean I’m allergic to pollen? Doctor: Yes. Mary: What, should I do? Doctor: I suggest you take some medicine first and drink more water. Mary: OK. Doctor: And then if your symptoms are getting worse I suggest you go to a hospital to check. Mary: OK. Thank you very much. Doctor: I hope you will recover soon. Mary: Thanks. Goodbye. Doctor: Goodbye.

Student: Good morning. May I come in? Lecturer: Yes. come in please. Student: I’m a new student and I’m looking for the office of engineering faculty. Is this the right place? Lecturer: Yes, this is the Faculty of Engineering. How can I help you? Student: I know there was an orientation meeting last Friday . but I did not attend that meeting, so I’m wondering if someone could give me some information about… you know the campus life or course requirements or something like that. Lecturer: Yes. Sit down please. Where should we begin? Student: Firstly, how many lectures do I have to attend every week? Lecturer: You know there are not too many lectures of postgraduate courses. Let me check. Oh, you have lectures on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon , from 2p.m. to 4p.m. Student: How often do I have to attend seminars in a week? Lecturer: Well, there is only one group seminar on Thursday morning at 9 o'clock . Student: You mean the group? Lecturer: Yes. Student: How many people are there in one group? Lecturer: About 3 to 5 . Student: Fine. Lecturer: You will discuss about 20 minutes and then the representative of your group will give a short presentation. Student: A presentation? Lecturer: Right. Student: Do all members in group have a chance to give a presentation ? Lecturer: Maybe. And then your subject advisor will give you a mark. Student: A mark? Does that mean the representative’s mark is all members’ mark? Lecturer: That’s right. Student: How about attendance ? Lecturer: The postgraduate attendance is only 70% . But a few students will be absent in our faculty. Student: Fine. Should I choose the time? Because I have a part-time job. Lecturer: I am afraid not. You know the postgraduate course is very intensive . We do not suggest that our students do any jobs. Student: Yes, I see. I will spend time on my course. Oh, how many modular courses are there in the coming academic year? Lecturer: You have three modular courses from September to June next year. Student: OK. Lecturer: Anything else can 1 help you with? Student: I’d like to know some information about the course assessment . Lecturer: Well, beside presentation you will have an exam at the end of the term. Student: An exam? What type of exam? Lecturer: It’s an open book exam. Student: Fine. Lecturer: But your main assessment is assignment . Student: You mean homework? Lecturer: Yes. You will have to write an assignment with 6 to 7 thousand words every month. Student: 6,000 to 7,000 ? Lecturer: Yes. Student: Oh. How about the topic? Lecturer: Your tutor will give you some advice on the topic based on some course hand outs or reference books, but you have to narrow the topic by yourself. Student: So can I choose the topic of essay by myself ? Lecturer: Yes, of course. Student: Great. Lecturer: You must pay attention to your essay deadline. All assignment work must be handed in before the deadline your tutor gives you. Student: When should I visit my tutor? Lecturer: You should check your tutor’s name and contact number on our website . Student: Fine. Lecturer: Do you have a library card ? Student: No. I have not applied for one. Lecturer: I think you should register for a Library Card first. Because you need it when you borrow reference books from library. Student: OK. I will apply for one tomorrow morning. Lecturer: Anything else? Student: The last thing is how can I get my username and password of our university’s website. Lecturer: First you should go to The Computer Centre to register and then they will give you a username and password. Student: That’s fine. Thanks for your introduction . Lecturer: You are welcome. See you later. Student: See you.

Welcome to Magic Animal Time. Today I’d like to give you an introduction to a magic animal called sloth. Native to Central and South American rain forest, the sloth is the slowest animal on the earth . It needs 12 seconds to finish one step even slower than a tortoise. Algae grows on its brown furry back because its inactive lifestyle. Even the fur of sloths is adapted to their lifestyle. Sloths usually hang upside down so their stiff, wiry fur grows differently from the coats of most mammals. Horses’ hair, for example, grows from the back, so rain water will run off. Below this tough top layer, a densed downy layer of hair provides additional protection from pesky insects. The greenish cast of the sloth’s shaggy fur is caused by symbiotic algae that grow in grooves running along the length of each of the mammal’s outer hairs. The sloth hosts the algae, and the algae return the favour by providing nutrition that the sloth either ingests by licking its fur or absorbs through its skin. The grayish green colour makes the sloth look just like a clump of dry leaves hanging from a branch – the perfect jungle camouflage. And the longer a sloth lives, the greener it gets. Sloths have a short and flat, head, a snout that is short in length, big round eyes, long tree-tree-climbing legs, a stubby tail and small ears and though some have called them ugly, they have the cutest face that looks like they are always smiling just like koala in Australia . Sloths spend most of the day sleeping . Curling up in a tree notch or hanging from a branch with all four legs closed together, their heads tuck between their front, legs. People seldom see them much move even when they are awake. Only at feeding time, sloths move slowly and carefully , hand over and through the treetops , searching for leaves, fruits, and twigs. They even mate and give birth while suspended from their long, curved daws. Sometimes a sloth will die hanging upside down from a tree limb and remain so after death, until they decompose or are forcibly removed. Why do sloths have such an unusual lifestyle ? It’s the strategy they evolved to survive as tree-dwelling plant eaters in a place with many predators. Most domestic herbivores, such as cattle, horse, and sheep, graze all day long. Because they feed on nutrient poor vegetation, they must eat almost constantly. Sloths are also classified as herbivores , and their diets are also low in nutrition; but rather than munching all day long, they have become masters at conserving energy. As any athlete knows, maintaining muscle requires large quantities of food energy, far more than a sloth’s vegetarian diet can provide. Sloths are relatively inactive and usually spend most of their day hanging upside down, so they can get by with half as much muscle mass as similar sized mammals . Hence, they don’t, need to eat too much. In addition, because of heavy muscle sloths weigh far less than other mammals. This makes it possible for them to climb on thin branches high in the tropical forest canopy, where they can more easily find food and avoid heftier predators . Keeping a high body temperature also takes energy. Sloths fall this need by maintaining a lower average body temperature than other mammals. Dogs, cats, horses, sheep, and cows all have average body temperatures between about 100 and 103°F, but a sloth’s average body temperature is about 93°F. Equally important, a sloth’s body temperature fluctuates with the surrounding temperature . Like snakes and frogs which are “cold-blooded” creatures, a sloth’s body temperature is highest on warm, sunny days and lowest at night and on rainy days. Sometimes a sloth takes a sunbath in the morning to warm up. Then, during the hottest time of the day, it hides in the shade so it won’t overheat. During a 24-hour period, a sloth’s body temperature may vary as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If the body temperature of a person, a cat, or a dog varies just 5°F, it can be life threatening. Because sloths have difficulty moving over land, they spend most of their time in the trees. They can get just about everything they need high above the forest floor – even water, which comes from eating juicy leaves and licking up drops of morning dew. Short bursts of feeding followed by long periods of inactivity make sloths less vulnerable to large raptors such as harpy eagles and other carnivores such as ocelots. As long as sloths remain perfectly quiet and still, they’re nearly impossible to detect. At feeding time, a sloth reaches out, grabs an overhead branch with its flexible feet, and tugs until the food is within reach of its long tongue. After pulling the vegetation into its mouth, the sloth clips the leaves with its hard, tough lips and slowly grinds them with large, peg-like teeth. A sloth digests its food just as it does everything else – very slowly. People usually digest, their food in about a day, but sloths can take about a month to finish the process. As soon as a sloth swallows a mouthful of pulverized plants, the bacteria in its stomach and intestines begin breaking down the food. It takes many hours for the bacteria to digest the tough plant material that makes up a sloth’s diet. Only then can the sloth absorb the nutrients it needs to five and grow. So do you have a new understanding about the slow but not lazy animal? Next week we will talk about…

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Sanatorium Valuyevo

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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