Problem: How does the sentence end?

Derrick's ukulele playing sounded far worse than Leslie's performance for the reason that 
OPTIONS:
- Derrick was an amateur at the instrument.
- Leslie was an amateur at the instrument.
Answer: Derrick was an amateur at the instrument.
sentence: After getting out of bed Joel did 100 jumping jacks while Nick did 100 pullups.  OPTIONS:
- Joel had terrible arm strength.
- Nick had terrible arm strength.
complete: Joel had terrible arm strength.
Christopher had a balanced diet but Kevin did not because 
OPTIONS:
- Christopher had an appalling knowledge of nutrition.
- Kevin had an appalling knowledge of nutrition.
Kevin had an appalling knowledge of nutrition.
Input: Continue writing.

Jennifer was unable to see family as often as Lindsey, since 
OPTIONS:
- Jennifer lived far from them.
- Lindsey lived far from them.

Continued: Jennifer lived far from them.
Story needs to be completed:
The throat was relaxed by the syrup but the oil just caused more coughing, as the 
OPTIONS:
- syrup was abrasive.
- oil was abrasive.

My choice:
oil was abrasive.
Problem: How does the sentence end?

The catering company served the stew but threw the salad away because the 
OPTIONS:
- salad was fresh.
- stew was fresh.
Answer:
stew was fresh.