Multi-select problem: How does the next paragraph end?

How to make lentil soup
Clean the lentils.
Pour one pound of lentils out of the bag onto a clean, flat, white surface and pick out any little rocks that might be mixed in.
Fill up a large pot of water almost all the way.

OPT: a. A little bit of water is ideal if you want your soup to be thick and dense-salt is best, but so is the lentils (whatever their size). Place lentils in a large bowl and cover with cooking oil. b. Use a slotted spoon to stir in the water. If you can't fit a wooden spoon in the pot, use something soft like paper towel. c. Use the same nonreactive pot as you did the first time, but take care to keep the pot at least 1/4 filled and no longer boiling. Begin by removing the skin from one lentil and waiting for it to cool a little before peeling it, put it in a bowl. d. Clean 4-5 pieces of garlic and put them into the pot. You can add a bit more or less, depending on how much garlic you like in your food.
d.