Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Business Law Practice Exam

What does the mirror image rule entail in contract law?

1. Acceptance can include alterations to the offer

2. Acceptance must match the terms of the offer

3. Offers can be verbally accepted

4. Counteroffers must be ignored

The correct answer is: Acceptance must match the terms of the offer

The mirror image rule in contract law requires that the acceptance of an offer must exactly match the terms of that offer without any modifications. This principle ensures that both parties agree on the same terms, creating a binding contract. If the acceptance alters any terms of the original offer, it is not considered valid acceptance but rather a counteroffer, which invites further negotiation rather than concluding the agreement. This rule is foundational in contract formation, reinforcing that mutual assent is key and that discrepancies in acceptance can lead to misunderstandings and disputes. The other options do not align with the mirror image rule: alterations to the original offer during acceptance contradict the requirement for matching terms; verbal acceptance is permissible in certain contexts but is not specifically related to the mirror image rule; and counteroffers are not to be ignored, as they represent a new proposal and thus change the dynamic of the negotiation.