Methyl 4-nitrobenzoate, methyl benzoate and methyl 4-methoxybenzoate are hydrolysed with dilute aqueous NaOH under identical conditions. The rate is greatest for

The rate-determining step is attack of $\mathrm{OH}{}^{-}$ on the carbonyl carbon, which is favoured by electron-withdrawing groups. The 4-nitro group makes the carbonyl carbon more electrophilic, whereas 4-methoxy donates electrons by resonance. The order is nitro $>$ H $>$ methoxy.