Final answer:
A strong base and a weak acid can co-exist in a solution because weak acids do not fully dissociate in water, allowing for partial neutralization which generally results in a basic solution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether a strong base and a weak acid can co-exist in solutions is a matter of understanding acid-base chemistry. The correct answer to the student's question is 'True'. Strong bases and weak acids can indeed co-exist in a solution; they do not have to neutralize each other completely. For example, when a strong base like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is added to a weak acid such as acetic acid (CH3COOH), they can partially neutralize each other. However, since weak acids do not dissociate completely in water, there will be unreacted acid molecules left in the solution, and the solution will generally be basic due to the strong base.