Get ready to test yourself with torts multiple choice questions that cover everything from accidental harm to deliberate wrongs. This free, interactive quiz helps law students and legal enthusiasts master intentional torts and broader tort principles with engaging scenarios. Along the way, you'll dive into intentional torts practice questions to refine your strategy and explore torts 1 multiple choice questions designed to sharpen your recall. You'll assess key elements like negligence, battery, and strict liability to boost your confidence for exams. If you want to drill deeper, try our duty of care quiz . Step up your prep - take the challenge now and ace every scenario!
Which intentional tort involves creating a reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact?
Battery
Assault
False Imprisonment
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
Assault requires an act intending to cause apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact and the plaintiff’s reasonable apprehension of such contact. Unlike battery, no contact is necessary for assault. It focuses on the victim's perception of threat. For more, see https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/assault.
What is required for a battery claim?
Apprehension of contact
Intent to confine
Harmful or offensive contact
Emotional distress
Battery is the intentional infliction of harmful or offensive contact on another person. The contact need not cause injury, only be offensive to a reasonable person. Intent is satisfied if the defendant intended the contact or knew it was substantially certain to occur. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/battery.
Which element is NOT required for false imprisonment?
Physical barrier or force
Awareness of confinement
Intent to confine
Physical injury
False imprisonment requires intent to confine, confinement within boundaries, and awareness or harm. Physical injury is not required; awareness of confinement or resulting harm suffices. The confinement can be through physical barriers or threats. For details, see https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/false_imprisonment.
Trespass to land requires which of the following?
Actual damage to the property
Intentional entry onto land of another
Emotional distress caused by entry
Negligent entry onto land
Trespass to land is established by intentional physical invasion of land possessed by another. Actual damage is not required; unauthorized entry itself causes liability. The defendant need only intend the entry, not the trespass. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/trespass_to_land.
Conversion is best described as:
Slight interference with personal property
Unauthorized assumption of ownership over chattel
Error in land deed
False statement harming reputation
Conversion is an intentional exercise of control over another’s chattel that seriously interferes with its right of control. It is more than trespass to chattels because it deprives the owner of use or value. Plaintiffs can recover full value of the property. For more, see https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/conversion.
Which tort requires publication of a false statement that injures someone's reputation?
Defamation
Battery
Assault
Trespass
Defamation involves a false statement published to a third party that injures the plaintiff’s reputation. It encompasses libel (written) and slander (spoken). The plaintiff must also demonstrate damages, except in certain per se cases. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/defamation.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED) requires:
Physical injury to the plaintiff
Extreme and outrageous conduct causing severe distress
Any insult causing discomfort
Publication of a false statement
IIED requires (1) extreme and outrageous conduct, (2) intent or recklessness, (3) causation of distress, and (4) severe emotional distress. Mere insults or annoyances do not suffice. The defendant’s conduct must exceed all bounds of decency. More info at https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/intentional_infliction_of_emotional_distress.
What defense allows a shopkeeper to detain a suspected shoplifter?
Self-defense
Shopkeeper’s privilege
Consent
Necessity
The shopkeeper’s privilege permits reasonable detention of suspected shoplifters on store premises for investigation. The detention must be reasonable in time, manner, and scope. It prevents civil liability for false imprisonment in this context. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/shopkeeper_privilege.
Consent is a defense to which intentional tort?
Battery
Trespass to land
Conversion
Defamation
Consent, whether express or implied, is a complete defense to battery when the plaintiff agrees to the contact. It can limit liability for sports injuries or medical procedures. Consent must be voluntary and informed. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/consent.
Transferred intent allows a defendant’s intent to commit one tort to transfer when the defendant inadvertently commits another. Which scenario applies?
Defendant intends to assault A but accidentally assaults B
Defendant negligently injures a bystander
Defendant insults someone verbally
Defendant trespasses on land
Transferred intent applies when the defendant intends one tort against a person but inadvertently commits that tort against another person or a different tort. For example, intending to hit A but striking B qualifies. The intent transfers to B, establishing liability. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/transferred_intent.
Which intentional tort protects one’s interest in personal tranquility and freedom from confinement?
Assault
False Imprisonment
Battery
Trespass to chattels
False imprisonment protects the right to move freely without restraint by another. It requires intent and confinement. Awareness or harm suffices to establish the tort. Details at https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/false_imprisonment.
What distinguishes trespass to chattels from conversion?
Trespass requires severe interference
Conversion requires intent to harm
Trespass involves only minor interferences
Conversion is a defense to trespass
Trespass to chattels involves intentional interference with another’s personal property causing harm or deprivation. Conversion is a more serious interference akin to an exercise of dominion. Minor interferences give trespass, major takeovers give conversion. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/trespass_to_chattels.
Which tort can be committed by publishing a truthful statement with reckless disregard for the truth to a third party?
Strict liability
Negligence
Defamation (NY Times actual malice)
Battery
Public figures must prove 'actual malice' in defamation: publication of statements with knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard. Even if the statement is ultimately true, reckless disregard can create liability. This heightens the standard for free speech. For more, see https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/defamation.
Which of the following is a privilege that justifies what would otherwise be a tortious act to prevent greater harm?
Consent
Necessity
Self-defense
Defamation
Necessity allows intrusion on another’s property to avoid greater harm, such as destroying a barn to fight a fire. It can be public (benefiting community) or private (benefiting individual). The privilege precludes liability but may require compensation. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/necessity.
A defendant fires a gun at plaintiff but misses; the plaintiff is unaware. Which tort applies?
Battery
Attempted battery
Assault
No tort because no apprehension
Assault requires reasonable apprehension; battery requires contact. Without awareness or contact, neither tort is complete. Attempted battery alone is not a recognized tort by itself absent injury or apprehension. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/assault.
What is the primary difference between slander and libel?
Slander is written, libel is spoken
Libel is written, slander is spoken
Only libel requires damages
Only slander has defenses
Libel refers to defamation in a fixed medium (e.g., writing, print). Slander refers to oral defamation. Libel often allows presumed damages while slander requires proof of special damages unless per se. More at https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/defamation.
Which tort arises from intentional severe emotional distress without physical contact?
Battery
IIED
Assault
Negligence
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED) addresses outrageous conduct that causes severe emotional harm. Physical contact is not required. It complements other intentional torts by covering pure emotional injuries. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/intentional_infliction_of_emotional_distress.
Which common law defense requires a reasonable belief of imminent harm and proportional response?
Consent
Self-defense
Necessity
Defense of property
Self-defense requires honest and reasonable belief of imminent threat and use of proportional force. Excessive force can negate the defense. It applies to both battery and assault. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/self-defense.
Under vicarious liability, an employer is liable for an employee’s torts when:
Employee acts outside employment scope
Employee commits intentional tort
Tort occurs within the scope of employment
Employer directed the act personally
Under respondeat superior, employers are liable for employee torts committed within the scope of employment. Intentional torts can be covered if furthering employer’s business. Independent contractors are typically excluded. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/vicarious_liability.
Which element is required for a negligence cause of action but not for an intentional tort?
Intent
Duty of care
Contact
Awareness
Negligence requires duty, breach, causation, and damages. Intentional torts require intent but not duty. Duty is the obligation to conform to a standard of care. For more, see https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence.
What is proximate cause in tort law?
Actual cause only
Foreseeability link limiting liability
Intentional act causing harm
Any cause that is remote
Proximate cause limits liability to harms that are a foreseeable result of the defendant’s conduct. It builds on actual cause (‘but-for’ test) to avoid limitless liability. Foreseeability and policy guide its application. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/proximate_cause.
Which tort involves the intentional publication of private facts that would be offensive to a reasonable person?
Invasion of privacy – public disclosure
Defamation
IIED
Negligence
Public disclosure of private facts is an invasion of privacy tort requiring publicity, private matter, offensiveness, and not newsworthy. It differs from defamation by the truthfulness of the fact. The disclosure must be widespread. For details, see https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/invasion_of_privacy.
Which of the following best describes assumption of risk?
Defendant assumed risk voluntarily
Plaintiff knowingly and voluntarily undertook risk
Plaintiff was unaware of risk
Risk imposed by statute
Assumption of risk applies when the plaintiff knows of a risk and voluntarily accepts it, barring or reducing recovery. It can be express (contract) or implied (by conduct). It reflects personal responsibility. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/assumption_of_risk.
In defamation law, what is the statement of opinion rule?
Opinions are never protected
Pure opinions are protected from defamation
Opinions are equivalent to facts
Opinions require malice to be actionable
Pure opinions, incapable of being proven true or false, are protected under the First Amendment. If a statement implies false defamatory facts, it loses protection. Courts analyze context and verifiability. For more, see https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/defamation.
Which tort requires proof of special damages unless it is defamation per se?
Slander
Libel
Assault
Battery
Slander is spoken defamation and generally requires proof of pecuniary harm unless it falls into per se categories (e.g., serious crime allegations). Libel in a fixed medium often allows presumed damages. This distinction affects remedies. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/defamation.
Which standard applies when a public figure sues for defamation?
Negligence
Actual malice
Strict liability
Recklessness
Public figures must prove actual malice: the defendant knew the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard. This higher standard protects free debate on public issues. It originates from New York Times v. Sullivan. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Co._v._Sullivan.
Which doctrine allows a plaintiff to infer negligence when the instrumentality causing damage was under the defendant’s control?
Strict liability
Res ipsa loquitur
Proximate cause
Comparative negligence
Res ipsa loquitur allows plaintiffs to establish a presumption of negligence when the accident ordinarily would not occur without negligence and the instrumentality was in defendant’s control. The burden shifts to the defendant to rebut. This doctrine avoids direct evidence. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/res_ipsa_loquitur.
Comparative negligence reduces plaintiff’s recovery based on:
Defendant’s fault only
Plaintiff’s fault percentage
Strict liability rules
Assumption of risk
Comparative negligence allocates fault between plaintiff and defendant, reducing recovery by plaintiff’s percentage of fault. Pure comparative allows recovery even if plaintiff is more at fault. Modified comparative bars recovery if plaintiff’s fault exceeds a threshold. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/comparative_negligence.
What is intentional tortious interference with contractual relations?
Negligent breach of contract
Inducing a party to breach contract
Breach by performance
Rescission of contract
Intentional interference with contractual relations requires a valid contract, defendant’s knowledge, intentional inducement to breach, actual breach, and damages. It protects contractual expectations. The defendant must act improperly. For more, see https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/intentional_interference_with_contractual_relations.
What is the ‘eggshell plaintiff’ rule?
Strict liability principle
Take your victim as you find them
Comparative negligence rule
Assumption of risk doctrine
The eggshell plaintiff rule holds defendants liable for all damages even if the plaintiff had a preexisting vulnerability that exacerbated harm. It prevents defendants from escaping full liability due to unexpected severity. You take your victim as you find them. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/eggshell_skull_rule.
What distinguishes public necessity from private necessity?
Public necessity requires compensation
Private necessity requires compensation for harm caused
Private necessity protects property without compensation
Public necessity never requires compensation
Public necessity allows invasion of property to avert a public disaster without liability for trespass but may require compensation for damage. Private necessity justifies invasion to protect a limited group but still requires payment for actual harm inflicted. Both are privileges, but compensation differs. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/necessity.
Which privilege protects a defendant who publishes defamatory statements in a judicial proceeding?
Absolute privilege
Qualified privilege
Public necessity
Self-defense
Absolute privilege shields statements made in judicial and legislative proceedings from defamation liability regardless of malice. It promotes candid discourse in official processes. The privilege is unconditional. More at https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/absolute_privilege.
Which test determines the foreseeability element for proximate cause?
But-for test
Substantial factor test
Foreseeability test
Res ipsa loquitur
While the but-for test addresses actual cause, proximate cause uses foreseeability: whether the harm is a natural and probable consequence of the conduct. Courts also consider policy factors. The foreseeability test limits liability. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/proximate_cause.
In defamation, what is required for a private figure to recover presumed damages for libel?
Proof of actual malice
Statement is defamatory per se
Public interest in the statement
Negligence by defendant
A private figure can recover presumed damages for libel if the statement is defamatory per se (e.g., accusing of crime) without proving actual injury. Negligence suffices for private figure liability, unlike actual malice. This balances free speech and reputation. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/defamation.
Which element differentiates negligent infliction of emotional distress (NIED) from IIED?
Reckless or intentional conduct
Duty to avoid emotional harm
Publication requirement
Physical contact
NIED requires breach of a duty to avoid causing emotional harm, absence of intent. IIED requires intentional or reckless extreme conduct. NIED claims often demand physical impact or zone of danger. Duty is a key difference. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/infliction_of_emotional_distress.
What is necessary to establish trespass to chattels?
Serious harm or deprivation from chattel use
Any touching of personal property
Publication to third parties
Intent to confine
Trespass to chattels requires intentional interference with the plaintiff’s personal property causing dispossession or impairment. Mere contact without harm may not suffice. The interference must result in dispossession or damage. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/trespass_to_chattels.
Which tort protects against intrusion upon seclusion?
IIED
Invasion of privacy
Defamation
Trespass
Intrusion upon seclusion is an invasion of privacy tort requiring intentional intrusion into private affairs of another that would be highly offensive. It protects solitude rather than reputation. No publication is required. More at https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/invasion_of_privacy.
Which concept imposes liability for abnormally dangerous activities?
Strict liability
Negligence
Battery
IIED
Strict liability for ultrahazardous activities holds defendants liable for harm without fault if activity is not common, poses high risk, and precautions cannot eliminate risk. Examples include blasting or storing explosives. It differs from intentional torts by focusing on activity nature. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/strict_liability.
Which defense requires the defendant to surrender an interest in the property to protect from immediate harm?
Self-defense
Private necessity
Public necessity
Consent
Private necessity justifies intrusion on property to protect self or belongings, but the actor must pay for actual damage caused. It is conditional and benefits individual interest. The privilege ends when necessity ends. For more, see https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/necessity.
Under the Restatement, which tort requires 'extreme and outrageous' conduct?
Which legal doctrine bars subsequent tort claims after voluntary settlement?
Collateral estoppel
Release and waiver
Res judicata
Statute of limitations
A release and waiver extinguishes claims released by the parties, barring subsequent lawsuits on the same matter. It is a contract between parties. It differs from res judicata which arises from judgments. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/release_and_waiver.
Which tort addresses disparagement of goods rather than reputational harm to persons?
Defamation
Trade libel
Slander of title
Conversion
Trade libel involves false statements about the quality of goods or property that cause economic harm. It is also called injurious falsehood. It requires publication, falsity, malice, and damages. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/trade_libel.
What is the tort of wrongful interference with prospective economic advantage?
Breach of contract
Interfering with a contractual relationship
Intentional interference with business expectancy
Conversion
Wrongful interference with prospective economic advantage protects business opportunities that are not yet contractual. It requires improper actions, knowledge of expectancy, and damages. It differs from contractual interference by lack of existing contract. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/intentional_interference_with_economic_advantage.
Under the doctrine of qualified privilege in defamation, which factor can defeat the privilege?
Truth of the statement
Lack of malice
Speaker’s actual malice
Publication to limited audience
Qualified privilege protects certain communications unless the plaintiff proves actual malice or abuse of privilege. Actual malice here means knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard. Loss of privilege can arise from excess scope or improper motive. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/qualified_privilege.
Which element is unique to the tort of fraud (intentional misrepresentation)?
Intent to induce reliance
Duty of care
Extreme and outrageous conduct
Publication requirement
Fraud requires a false representation of material fact, knowledge of its falsity, intent to induce reliance, actual and justifiable reliance, and damages. Intent to induce reliance distinguishes it from negligence. See https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/fraud.
In tortious interference claims, what must the plaintiff show about the defendant’s conduct?
Negligent performance of contract
Improper or wrongful means
Strict liability
No existing contract requirement
Tortious interference requires proof that the defendant used improper or wrongful means to disrupt a plaintiff’s contract or prospective advantage. Improper means include violence, fraud, or breach of statutory duty. Mere competition is insufficient. More at https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/tortious_interference.
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Study Outcomes
Understand the Elements of Intentional Torts -
Break down the core components - act, causation, damages, and culpability - to confidently tackle intentional torts practice questions.
Analyze Complex Fact Patterns -
Apply legal reasoning to dissect hypothetical scenarios and select correct answers in torts multiple choice questions.
Identify Key Distinctions Between Torts -
Differentiate among various intentional torts, enhancing your ability to spot nuanced differences on torts 1 multiple choice questions.
Apply Causation and Damages Principles -
Use established tests and legal standards to determine causation and quantify damages in multiple choice formats.
Evaluate Defenses to Intentional Torts -
Assess common defenses like consent and self-defense to improve accuracy on intentional torts multiple choice questions.
Boost Confidence and Test Performance -
Enhance your exam readiness by practicing targeted questions and reviewing explanations to solidify your understanding and speed.
Cheat Sheet
Volitional Act Requirement -
Review Restatement (Second) of Torts §§13 and 18 to confirm that a volitional act is required for liability in intentional torts 1 multiple choice questions. Remember the mnemonic "Act = Actual Movement" to distinguish between purposeful conduct and mere thoughts. For example, swinging a bat and striking someone fulfills the act element for battery (Prosser & Keeton on Torts).
Causation: But-For and Proximate -
Master the "but-for" test for actual causation and foreseeability for proximate causation, as detailed by the University of Chicago Law Review. A handy phrase is "But-For, Forward or Foresee," which reminds you to link cause and effect and check if harm was a foreseeable result. In torts multiple choice questions, look out for intervening causes that might break the chain of liability.
damages: Compensatory vs. Punitive -
Distinguish compensatory damages (economic loss, pain and suffering) from punitive damages aimed at deterrence, drawing on guidelines from Harvard Law Review. Practice calculating special damages like medical expenses and lost wages, then identify when courts award exemplary relief. Nominal damages (e.g., $1) also appear in intentional torts practice questions when no actual harm is proven.
Intent and Transferred Intent -
Focus on the dual intent model - purpose or substantial certainty of harm - and study Restatement (Second) of Torts §8A for transferred intent doctrines. Mnemonic tip: "TIT" (Transferred Intent Transfers Torts) helps recall that intent toward A can transfer to B for battery or assault. Sample scenario: A aims to punch X but hits Y; intent to harm transfers, so Y can recover.
Key Defenses: CANS -
Learn the CANS framework (Consent, Assumption of Risk, Necessity, Self-defense) - a staple in intentional torts multiple choice questions and Cornell LII summaries. Remember: valid consent negates battery, while necessity saves you in emergencies. Practice spotting if a defendant's protective act falls under self-defense or public necessity to zero out liability.
