Which statement about the Doric order is true?

• A. It has a base.
• B. It features a scroll-like capital.
• C. It is characterized by ornate acanthus leaves.
• D. It has a sturdy, plain capital and no base.

Answer: (D)

Doric order is the most austere of the classical orders, emphasizing mass and restraint. Its capital is sturdy and plain, with a simple echinus and abacus, and the column sits directly on the stylobate without a base. That combination—plain capital and no base—defines the Doric look and weight. A base belongs to other orders like Ionic and Corinthian; the scroll-like capital is characteristic of Ionic; ornate acanthus leaves appear on Corinthian capitals. Therefore, the statement describing a sturdy, plain capital and no base captures the essential Doric character.