Which statement about bases is true?

• A. Bases produce H+ in water.
• B. Bases have a pH less than 7.
• C. Bases produce OH- in water, taste bitter, soapy and slippery, and turn red litmus blue.
• D. They do not react with litmus.

Answer: (C)

Bases in water raise the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH−), which gives solutions a pH above 7. That’s why bases are described as having a slippery feel, a bitter taste, and turning red litmus blue. The litmus test is a quick way to tell acids and bases apart: acids turn blue litmus red, while bases turn red litmus blue. Saying bases produce H+ in water or that their pH is less than 7 conflicts with these properties, and saying they don’t react with litmus ignores the blue color change that bases cause. So the statement that bases produce OH− in water, along with their slippery feel, bitter taste, and blue litmus turn, is the true description.