IELTS Speaking Part 1

Perfume: questions and Band 8 answers

The examiner asks three to five short questions on two or three everyday topics in the first four to five minutes. Here are 5 questions about perfume written by BandLadder in the examiner's style, each with a Band 8 sample answer. Aim for two or three sentences each: answer, reason, one detail.
  • 5 questions
  • 5 Band 8 answers
  • 4 to 5 minutes

5 answers

Sample answers

1

Do you like wearing perfume or aftershave?

Yes, I do, especially when I'm heading out for work or meeting friends. I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with it, but putting on a quick spritz in the morning gives me a nice confidence boost. It just makes me feel a bit more put-together before leaving my flat.

2

What kind of scents do you prefer?

I tend to lean towards fresh, citrusy fragrances rather than heavy, musky ones. Anything with notes of lemon or bergamot is usually my go-to, particularly in the summer months because it feels quite light and uplifting rather than overpowering.

3

Did you wear perfume when you were younger?

Not really, no. As a teenager, I mostly just used cheap body sprays after PE lessons at school. I didn't actually start appreciating subtle scents or buy a proper bottle of fragrance until my early twenties when I got my first job.

4

Have you ever bought perfume as a gift for someone?

Yes, I bought a floral fragrance for my mother's birthday last year. It can be quite tricky picking out a scent for someone else since it's so subjective, but I secretly checked the bottle she kept on her dressing table before going to the shops.

5

Do you think perfume is expensive in your country?

Generally speaking, yes, high-end fragrances can cost an absolute fortune. There are plenty of budget-friendly alternatives available in local pharmacies, but designer bottles definitely come with a hefty price tag due to import taxes and marketing.

Details are invented. Use the shape, not the sentences: examiners mark memorised answers down.

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7 words

Useful vocabulary

  • spritz

    a quick spray of a liquid or fragrance

  • put-together

    neat, tidy, and well-organised in appearance

  • citrusy

    smelling fresh like lemons, limes, or oranges

  • overpowering

    too strong or intense

  • subjective

    based on personal taste rather than external facts

  • cost an absolute fortune

    to be extremely expensive

  • hefty price tag

    a very high financial cost

  • →Use descriptive sensory adjectives such as 'citrusy', 'floral', or 'woody' when discussing aromas.
  • →Mention specific everyday situations, like work or special occasions, to explain your fragrance habits naturally.

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