Paralegal exam questions and verified answers

PARALEGAL EXAM PRACTICE-QUESTION AND
COLLECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2025/2026 Q&A |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following tasks is a paralegal not permitted to perform?
A. Drafting legal documents under attorney supervision
B. Giving legal advice to clients
C. Conducting legal research
D. Organizing case files
Correct Answer: B — Paralegals cannot give legal advice; that is the exclusive role of licensed
attorneys.



2. The attorney-client privilege applies to communications:
A. Between a client and a paralegal
B. Between a client and a lawyer only
C. Only in criminal cases
D. Only if the client pays the attorney
Correct Answer: A — Communications with a paralegal are also privileged if made under the
supervision of an attorney.



3. Which document initiates a civil lawsuit?
A. Complaint
B. Answer
C. Motion
D. Brief
Correct Answer: A — A complaint filed with the court initiates a civil lawsuit.



4. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure primarily govern:
A. Evidence in federal trials
B. Criminal prosecutions in federal court
C. Civil lawsuits in federal courts
D. Appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court
Correct Answer: C — The FRCP govern procedure in federal civil cases.

,5. A paralegal must avoid conflicts of interest. This means:
A. Refusing to work overtime
B. Not working for two clients with opposing interests
C. Refusing to research outside their specialty
D. Refusing to use legal software
Correct Answer: B — Conflicts arise when a paralegal’s work benefits one client but harms
another.



6. Discovery tools in civil litigation include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Interrogatories
B. Depositions
C. Voir dire
D. Requests for production
Correct Answer: C — Voir dire is jury selection, not discovery.



7. Which of the following is a secondary source of law?
A. Constitution
B. Statutes
C. Case law
D. Legal encyclopedias
Correct Answer: D — Legal encyclopedias are secondary sources, summarizing primary law.



8. What is the purpose of a retainer agreement?
A. To waive attorney-client privilege
B. To outline the scope of legal representation and fees
C. To determine the outcome of a case
D. To appoint a guardian ad litem
Correct Answer: B — A retainer agreement is a contract between attorney and client outlining
representation and fees.



9. Which court has original jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases?
A. State courts
B. Federal district courts
C. Federal bankruptcy courts
D. U.S. Supreme Court
Correct Answer: C — Bankruptcy cases are filed in specialized federal bankruptcy courts.

, 10. In legal citation, "Id." refers to:
A. A different case
B. The immediately preceding citation
C. A statute
D. An Internet domain
Correct Answer: B — “Id.” refers to the same source as the immediately preceding citation.



11. Which is an ethical obligation of paralegals?
A. Establishing attorney-client relationships
B. Setting attorney fees
C. Maintaining client confidentiality
D. Signing pleadings as lead counsel
Correct Answer: C — Confidentiality is an ethical duty paralegals must uphold.



12. A motion for summary judgment is appropriate when:
A. The jury cannot reach a verdict
B. There are no genuine disputes of material fact
C. A witness refuses to testify
D. An appeal is being filed
Correct Answer: B — Summary judgment is granted when no material fact is disputed and the
movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.



13. The statute of limitations refers to:
A. A limit on damages awarded
B. The maximum number of witnesses allowed
C. A time limit for filing a lawsuit
D. The judge’s authority in sentencing
Correct Answer: C — It sets the time limit to bring a legal action.



14. Which document responds to a complaint in civil litigation?
A. Counterclaim
B. Motion to dismiss
C. Answer
D. Deposition
Correct Answer: C — The defendant’s “Answer” responds to the allegations in a complaint.