2024 2025 Common multiple‐choice questions covering common law school topics—with
answers—to help you review key concepts in constitutional law, contracts, torts, criminal law,
evidence, property, civil procedure, administrative law, and professional responsibility.
1. Constitutional Law – Judicial Review
Which landmark case established the principle of judicial review in the United States?
A) McCulloch v. Maryland
B) Marbury v. Madison
C) Gibbons v. Ogden
D) Dred Scott v. Sandford
Answer: B) Marbury v. Madison
2. Contracts – Essential Elements
Which of the following is NOT an essential element for forming a valid contract?
A) Offer
B) Acceptance
C) Consideration
D) Statute of limitations
Answer: D) Statute of limitations
3. Torts – Negligence Elements
Which of the following is NOT an element required to prove a negligence claim?
A) Duty
B) Breach of duty
C) Proximate cause
D) Strict liability
Answer: D) Strict liability
4. Criminal Law – Mens Rea
In criminal law, the term mens rea refers to:
A) The physical act of committing a crime
B) The mental state or intent to commit a crime
C) The evidence linking the defendant to the crime
D) The motive behind the criminal act
Answer: B) The mental state or intent to commit a crime
, 5. Evidence – Hearsay
Which of the following best exemplifies hearsay?
A) A witness testifying about what they directly observed
B) A written statement made outside of court offered for its truth
C) A police officer’s report based on personal observation
D) A confession given under oath during a deposition
Answer: B) A written statement made outside of court offered for its truth
6. Property – Fee Simple
Fee simple absolute is best described as:
A) A leasehold interest
B) The most complete form of property ownership
C) A life estate
D) A tenancy in common
Answer: B) The most complete form of property ownership
7. Civil Procedure – Personal Jurisdiction
Personal jurisdiction over a defendant is established when:
A) The defendant is served with process in their home state
B) The defendant consents to the jurisdiction
C) Both A and B
D) The plaintiff resides in the same state as the court
Answer: C) Both A and B
8. Administrative Law – Agency Function
Which of the following is a primary function of administrative agencies?
A) Legislating new laws
B) Interpreting and enforcing statutes
C) Presiding over jury trials
D) Adjudicating criminal cases
Answer: B) Interpreting and enforcing statutes
9. Professional Responsibility – Confidentiality
The duty of confidentiality in attorney–client relationships is primarily governed by:
A) The Rules of Professional Conduct
B) The Federal Rules of Evidence
C) Constitutional provisions
answers—to help you review key concepts in constitutional law, contracts, torts, criminal law,
evidence, property, civil procedure, administrative law, and professional responsibility.
1. Constitutional Law – Judicial Review
Which landmark case established the principle of judicial review in the United States?
A) McCulloch v. Maryland
B) Marbury v. Madison
C) Gibbons v. Ogden
D) Dred Scott v. Sandford
Answer: B) Marbury v. Madison
2. Contracts – Essential Elements
Which of the following is NOT an essential element for forming a valid contract?
A) Offer
B) Acceptance
C) Consideration
D) Statute of limitations
Answer: D) Statute of limitations
3. Torts – Negligence Elements
Which of the following is NOT an element required to prove a negligence claim?
A) Duty
B) Breach of duty
C) Proximate cause
D) Strict liability
Answer: D) Strict liability
4. Criminal Law – Mens Rea
In criminal law, the term mens rea refers to:
A) The physical act of committing a crime
B) The mental state or intent to commit a crime
C) The evidence linking the defendant to the crime
D) The motive behind the criminal act
Answer: B) The mental state or intent to commit a crime
, 5. Evidence – Hearsay
Which of the following best exemplifies hearsay?
A) A witness testifying about what they directly observed
B) A written statement made outside of court offered for its truth
C) A police officer’s report based on personal observation
D) A confession given under oath during a deposition
Answer: B) A written statement made outside of court offered for its truth
6. Property – Fee Simple
Fee simple absolute is best described as:
A) A leasehold interest
B) The most complete form of property ownership
C) A life estate
D) A tenancy in common
Answer: B) The most complete form of property ownership
7. Civil Procedure – Personal Jurisdiction
Personal jurisdiction over a defendant is established when:
A) The defendant is served with process in their home state
B) The defendant consents to the jurisdiction
C) Both A and B
D) The plaintiff resides in the same state as the court
Answer: C) Both A and B
8. Administrative Law – Agency Function
Which of the following is a primary function of administrative agencies?
A) Legislating new laws
B) Interpreting and enforcing statutes
C) Presiding over jury trials
D) Adjudicating criminal cases
Answer: B) Interpreting and enforcing statutes
9. Professional Responsibility – Confidentiality
The duty of confidentiality in attorney–client relationships is primarily governed by:
A) The Rules of Professional Conduct
B) The Federal Rules of Evidence
C) Constitutional provisions
