Question

Read the passage.

Potatoes Mashed

When your potatoes are thoroughly boiled, drain them quite dry, pick out every speck, &c., and while hot, rub them through a colander into a clean stew-pan. To a pound of potatoes put about half an ounce of butter, and a tablespoonful of milk: do not make them too moist; mix them well together.

–The Cook’s Oracle; and Housekeeper’s Manual,
William Kitchiner

Which paraphrase is most helpful for understanding these instructions?

Potatoes that are too wet end up with an unsatisfactory taste.
For one pound of potatoes, add half an ounce of butter and one tablespoon of milk. Make sure the mixture is not too wet.
Boil the potatoes for a long time, then pierce one with a knife to make sure it’s done. Next, drain the water from the pot.
Make sure to scrub the pot carefully before adding the potatoes.

Answer 1

"For one pound of potatoes, add half an ounce of butter and one tablespoon of milk. Make sure the mixture is not too wet."

This most accurately restates the recipe's measurements and the instruction to avoid making the mashed potatoes too moist.