If you forget to alternate the ends, you risk:

• A. Uneven appearance
• B. Better flavor balance
• C. Shorter prep time
• D. Lower cost

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that presentation and consistency matter in what guests see and taste. Alternating the ends helps ensure each piece sits with a similar orientation, which leads to a balanced, neat appearance and more uniform browning during cooking. When ends aren’t alternated, the lineup can look uneven or repetitive, making the tray or plate appear careless and lowering the perceived quality.

The other outcomes don’t fit because this step doesn’t change flavor balance—seasoning and cooking method do that—nor does it inherently shorten prep time or reduce cost. Those results are driven by different parts of the process, not how the ends are aligned.