DECA Marketing Cluster Practice Exam

What defines a tort in legal terms?

1. A contract breach resulting in liability

2. A wrongful act leading to civil legal liability

3. A mutual agreement between two parties

4. An obligation enforced by law

The correct answer is: A wrongful act leading to civil legal liability

A tort is defined as a wrongful act that causes harm or loss to another person, leading to civil legal liability. This legal concept encompasses various forms of civil wrongs, including negligence, defamation, and intentional harm. The key element of a tort is that it results in a breach of a duty imposed by law, leading to an obligation for the wrongdoer to compensate the injured party. This foundational understanding is crucial in distinguishing torts from other legal concepts, such as contracts or obligations enforced by law. In contrast, the options involving a breach of contract or mutual agreements focus on different areas of law, specifically contract law. While contracts involve agreed-upon obligations between parties, torts do not require any prior agreement or legal contract; they are based on duties to not harm others. Additionally, obligations enforced by law can encompass a range of legal matters that do not specifically address the wrongful acts associated with torts. By identifying option B as the definition of a tort, it highlights the fundamental nature of tort law in addressing wrongful acts that result in civil liabilities.