Perfumery - TOEFL Reading Practice Test With Answer

The TOEFL iBT^®exam requires you to be proficient in reading academic section which evaluates various skills. These skills include identifying the main ideas, extracting details, and drawing conclusions. Moreover, it also incorporates the difficulties and challenges associated with reading in academic settings that use the English language. In order to excel in this part, you can start preparing by practising consistently. 

To make you feel confident and also prepare yourself for the test, you can practice by attempting our sample exams that closely resemble the structure and writing style of the real exam. So come take the TOEFL Practice Test with us, based on the passage "Perfumery," to get a feel for the format and identify your areas of weakness!

Reading Instructions

• You have 15 minutes to read the following passage and answer all 9 questions related to it.  
• Most questions are worth 1 point, but the last question is worth more. The directions indicate how many points you will receive for that specific question. 
• The specific section/paragraphs have been provided again with the question for ease of understanding and quick solution.
• Some questions include a word or phrase that is highlighted in the question as well as in the paragraph for quick reference. 

Perfumery

The craft of perfumery has an ancient and global heritage. The art flourished in Ancient Rome, where the emperors were said to bathe in scent. After the fall of Rome, much of the knowledge was lost, but survived in Islamic civilizations in the Middle Ages. Arab and Persian pharmacists developed essential oils from the aromatic plants of the Indian peninsula. They developed the processes of distillation and suspension in alcohol, which allowed for smaller amounts of raw materials to be used than in the ancient process, by which flower petals were soaked in warm oil. This knowledge was carried back to European monasteries during the Crusades.

At first, the use of fragrances was primarily associated with healing. Aromatic alcoholic waters were ingested as well as used externally. Fragrances were used to purify the air, both for spiritual and health purposes. During the Black Death, the bubonic plague was thought to have resulted from a bad odour which could be averted by inhaling pleasant fragrances such as cinnamon. The Black Death led to an aversion to using water for washing, and so perfume was commonly used as a cleaning agent.

Later on, the craft of perfume re-entered Europe, and was centred in Venice, chiefly because it was an important trade route and a centre for glass-making. Having such materials at hand was essential for the distillation process. In the late seventeenth century, trade soared in France, when Louis XIV brought in policies of protectionism and patronage which stimulated the purchase of luxury goods. Here, perfumery was the preserve of glove-makers. The link arose since the tanning of leather required putrid substances. Consequently, the gloves were scented before they were sold and worn. A glove and perfume makers’ guild had existed here since 1190. Entering it required 7 years of formal training under a master perfumer.

The trade in perfume flourished during the reign of Louis XV, as the master glove-and-perfume makers, particularly those trading in Paris, received patronage from the royal court, where it is said that a different perfume was used each week. The perfumers diversified into other cosmetics including soaps, powders, white face paints and hair dyes. They were not the sole sellers of beauty products. Mercers, spicers, vinegar-makers and wig-makers were all cashing in on the popularity of perfumed products. Even simple shopkeepers were coming up with their own concoctions to sell.

During the eighteenth century, more modern, capitalist perfume industry began to emerge, particularly in Britain where there was a flourishing consumer society. In France, the revolution initially disrupted the perfume trade due to its association with aristocracy, however, it regained momentum later as a wider range of markets were sought both in the domestic and overseas markets. The guild system was abolished in 1791, allowing new high-end perfumery shops to open in Paris.

Perfume became less associated with health in 1810 with a Napoleonic ordinance which required perfumers to declare the ingredients of all products for internal consumption. Unwilling to divulge their secrets, traders concentrated on products for external use. Napoleon affected the industry in other ways too. With French ports blockaded by the British during the Napoleonic wars, the London perfumers were able to dominate the markets for some time.

One of the significant changes in the nineteenth century was the idea of branding. Until then, trademarks had had little significance in the perfumery where goods were consumed locally, although they had a long history in other industries. One of the pioneers in this field was Rimmel who was nationalized as a British citizen in 1857. He took advantage of the spread of railroads to reach customers in wider markets. To do this, he built a brand which conveyed prestige and quality, and were worth paying a premium for. He recognised the role of design in enhancing the value of his products, hiring a French lithographer to create the labels for his perfume bottles.

Directions: Once you have read the passage, answer the following questions.

Paragraph 1 

The craft of perfumery has an ancient and global heritage. The art flourished in Ancient Rome, where the emperors were said to bathe in scent. After the fall of Rome, much of the knowledge was lost, but survived in Islamic civilizations in the Middle Ages. Arab and Persian pharmacists developed essential oils from the aromatic plants of the Indian peninsula. They developed the processes of distillation and suspension in alcohol, which allowed for smaller amounts of raw materials to be used than in the ancient process, by which flower petals were soaked in warm oil. This knowledge was carried back to European monasteries during the Crusades.

1. In Paragraph 1, which of the following is NOT true about perfume making in Islamic countries? 
   1. They created perfume by soaking flower petals in oil.  
   2. They dominated perfume making after the fall of the Roman Empire. 
   3. They took raw materials for their perfumes from India.  
   4. They created a technique which required fewer plant materials.   

Paragraph 2

At first, the use of fragrances was primarily associated with healing. Aromatic alcoholic waters were ingested as well as used externally. Fragrances were used to purify the air, both for spiritual and health purposes. During the Black Death, the bubonic plague was thought to have resulted from a bad odour which could be averted by inhaling pleasant fragrances such as cinnamon. The Black Death led to an aversion to using water for washing, and so perfume was commonly used as a cleaning agent.

1. Based on paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a use or belief associated with fragrances?
   1. Fragrances were ingested and applied externally for healing purposes.
   2. Aromatic alcoholic waters were used to purify the air for spiritual and health reasons. 
   3. During the Black Death, pleasant fragrances like cinnamon were thought to prevent the bubonic plague.
   4. The Black Death led to increased use of water for washing instead of using perfumes.

Paragraph 3

Later on, the craft of perfume re-entered Europe, and was centred in Venice, chiefly because it was an important trade route and a centre for glass-making. Having such materials at hand was essential for the distillation process. In the late seventeenth century, trade soared in France, when Louis XIV brought in policies of protectionism and patronage which stimulated the purchase of luxury goods. Here, perfumery was the preserve of glove-makers. The link arose since the tanning of leather required putrid substances. Consequently, the gloves were scented before they were sold and worn. A glove and perfume makers’ guild had existed here since 1190. Entering it required 7 years of formal training under a master perfumer.

1. The word "putrid" in the paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to:
   1. Bad-smelling
   2. Rare
   3. Prestigious
   4. Numerous 

1. Based on Paragraph 3, what was one reason for the increased use of perfume during the Black Death?
   1. It was believed to protect against the bubonic plague by counteracting bad odours.
   2. It was used to make aromatic alcoholic waters more effective for healing.
   3. It was preferred over other cleaning agents for its spiritual significance.
   4. It was used to purify the air for health reasons unrelated to the plague.

Paragraph 4

The trade in perfume flourished during the reign of Louis XV, as the master glove-and-perfume makers, particularly those trading in Paris, received patronage from the royal court, where it is said that a different perfume was used each week. The perfumers diversified into other cosmetics including soaps, powders, white face paints and hair dyes. They were not the sole sellers of beauty products. Mercers, spicers, vinegar-makers and wig-makers were all cashing in on the popularity of perfumed products. Even simple shopkeepers were coming up with their own concoctions to sell.

1. In paragraph 4, which of the following can be inferred?
   1. Master glove and perfume makers created a new perfume each week. 
   2. Mercers, spicers and other traders began to call themselves masters. 
   3. The Royal Court only bought perfume from masters.  
   4. Cosmetics were still only popular within the Royal Courts.   

1. Which of the following best describes how the popularity of perfumes affected other sellers?
   1. Only those who specialized in perfumes were able to benefit from the trend.
   2. The popularity of perfumes led to the diversification of products offered by perfumers.
   3. The popularity of perfumes caused a decrease in the number of perfumers.
   4. Non-perfumers, such as mercers and vinegar-makers, were unaffected by the trend in perfumes.

Paragraphs 5

During the eighteenth century, more modern, capitalist perfume industry began to emerge, particularly in Britain where there was a flourishing consumer society. In France, the revolution initially disrupted the perfume trade due to its association with aristocracy, however, it regained momentum later as a wider range of markets were sought both in the domestic and overseas markets. The guild system was abolished in 1791, allowing new high-end perfumery shops to open in Paris.

1. According to paragraph 5, what was one effect of the abolition of the guild system in France in 1791?
   1. The perfume industry in France was immediately disrupted by the revolution.
   2. New high-end perfumery shops were able to open in Paris.
   3. The perfume industry became less associated with aristocracy.
   4. Britain’s consumer society had a significant impact on the French perfume trade.

1. The word "momentum" in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to:
   1. speed
   2. decline
   3. influence
   4. recovery

Paragraph 6

Perfume became less associated with health in 1810 with a Napoleonic ordinance which required perfumers to declare the ingredients of all products for internal consumption. (A) Unwilling to divulge their secrets, traders concentrated on products for external use. (B) Napoleon affected the industry in other ways too. (C) With French ports blockaded by the British during the Napoleonic wars, the London perfumers were able to dominate the markets for some time. (D)

Directions: Review the excerpt from the passage provided above. The letters (A), (B), (C), and (D)  denote where the subsequent sentence could be incorporated.

1. "This regulation led to a shift in the perfume industry's focus and market dynamics."
   
   Where would the sentence most appropriately belong?
   1. Choice A
   2. Choice B
   3. Choice C
   4. Choice D

Hold on!  Before checking your answers and matching them, explore the TOEFL Exam Pattern and Syllabus!

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Reading Passage - Perfumery

1.  Answer: A

Explanation:  The correct answer is option A. In Paragraph 1, in contrast to soaking flower petals in oil, the passage claims that Islamic cultures invented the procedure of distillation and suspension in alcohol. This method used less raw materials, making this incorrect information about perfume making in Islamic countries. 

2. Answer: D

Explanation: The correct answer is option D. There is no indication of Black Death being the reason leading to an increase in water usage for washing than using perfumes which is the reason for option D being the correct answer. The other three options are mentioned which are associated with perfume.

3. Answer: A

Explanation: The correct answer is option A. In Paragraph 3, the word depicts something that has a bad smell or decaying and therefore, the option A is the closest to the meaning of the word.

4. Answer: A

Explanation: The correct answer is option A. As per the paragraph 3,  option A aligns with the passage stating that fragrances were believed to protect against the bubonic plague. The option B and C is not mentioned while D is incorrect because the use of perfume during the Black Death was specifically related to counteracting bad odours thought to cause the plague.

5. Answer: D

Explanation: The correct answer is option D. According to Paragraph 4, the popularity of perfumes extended beyond the Royal Court to simple shopkeepers and other sellers. Therefore, it can depict that using perfume was in vogue with the Royal Court, making option D the correct answer.

6. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. The passage mentions that perfumers diversified their products which has affected other sellers. Therefore, this is the closest reference to the information given related to the popularity of perfumes affecting other sellers.

7. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. The paragraph suggests the abolition of the guild system allowed new shops to open. Even though Option A mentions the revolution's initial disruption but does not directly connect it to the guild system. Therefore, the only possible answer is option B.

8. Answer: D

Explanation: The correct answer is option D. In Paragraph 5, the word suggests the driving force that allows the industry to regain activity or progress. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

9. Answer: A

Explanation: The correct answer is option A. This is an Insert Text Question as Option A fits because it directly relates to the shift in focus due to the regulation requiring ingredient disclosure, which would cause traders to concentrate on external use products.

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