The following text is from a memoir by a chef. I am often asked which culinary school I attended. The answer is none. I learned to cook by tasting. I would visit markets, buy ingredients I didn’t recognize, and experiment until I understood their flavor profiles. It was a chaotic education, filled with burnt sauces and uneven knife cuts. Yet, the absence of a formal curriculum forced me to rely on my senses. When I finally balanced a curry perfectly not because a recipe told me to, but because my palate demanded it, I knew I had truly learned to cook.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To describe the author's self-taught approach to mastering the culinary arts.
To argue that culinary school is a waste of money for aspiring chefs.
To detail the specific recipes that the author perfected during their early years.
To explain the importance of using fresh market ingredients.
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The author explicitly states they did not attend school ("The answer is none") and proceeds to describe their method of "experiment[ing]" and relying on "senses." The text is a description of this personal learning journey.
Choice B is incorrect because the author describes their own path but does not make a general argument against culinary school for others. Choice C is incorrect because the text mentions "burnt sauces" and "curry" generally, but does not provide specific recipes or details. Choice D is incorrect because while visiting markets is mentioned, it is a detail of the learning process, not the main argument of the text.