Consider the Reaction Below to Answer the Following Question(s)

Multiple Choice

Consider the reaction below to answer the following question(s) .
-Refer to instructions. The purpose of the base catalyst in this reaction is:

A) to polarize the carbonyl group to make it more electrophilic
B) to convert the ester to an intermediate carboxylic acid
C) to convert the alcohol group to an alkoxide anion, which is a better nucleophile
D) all of these