For the occupation Chef, which base word forms 'cook + agent'?

For the occupation Chef, which base word forms 'cook + agent'?

• A. C-H-E-F
• B. Cook
• C. Chef
• D. Bake

Answer: (B)

Forming a person who performs an action by adding the agent suffix -er to a verb is the pattern here. The base word is the verb cook. When you attach -er, you get the term for a person who cooks—an agent of the action. That fits the occupation sense behind chef, since a chef is essentially a skilled cook. The key idea is identifying which base word can pair with the agent suffix to denote the doer of the action. Other options either represent the finished occupation word, a different action, or a spelling of the final term, not the base verb that forms the agent noun. Therefore, the correct base word is cook.

Forming a person who performs an action by adding the agent suffix -er to a verb is the pattern here. The base word is the verb cook. When you attach -er, you get the term for a person who cooks—an agent of the action. That fits the occupation sense behind chef, since a chef is essentially a skilled cook. The key idea is identifying which base word can pair with the agent suffix to denote the doer of the action. Other options either represent the finished occupation word, a different action, or a spelling of the final term, not the base verb that forms the agent noun. Therefore, the correct base word is cook.