In grammar, a sentence that contains a compound predicate is one that has two or more verbs which are usually linked by commas or conjunctions such as "and". This means in the sentence presented it is necessary to add two verbs to create a compound predicate. Moreover, these verbs need to be related to the object included "the entire mashed potato" that is the entity affected by the action. According to this, the correct pair of verbs is "boiled, ate" (Option B) as mashed potatoes can be both boiled and ate but not ran, slept, played, or jumped as in other options, which means this is the only pair of verbs that completes correctly the sentence.
An argumentative essay by definition requires you to present both sides of an argument. The goal of an argumentative essay usually gives a view on the position of the problem from both sides of the problem and how to solve it.
