Question

A small scrubbing-brush, which may be bought for five cents, and two small pointed knives for preparing vegetables should be found in every kitchen.

Vegetables should be washed in cold water, and cooked until soft in boiling salted water; if cooked in an uncovered vessel, their color is better kept. For peas and beans add salt to water last half hour of cooking. Time for cooking the same vegetable varies according to freshness and age, therefore time-tables for cooking serve only as guides.

Which best describes the style and tone of the passage?
informal
authoritative
complimentary
condescending

Answer 1

authoritative

The passage gives direct instructions and practical rules in a confident, prescriptive tone (e.g., "should be found," "should be washed," "serve only as guides"), which is characteristic of an authoritative style.