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

What term describes when a spouse engages in sexual relations outside of marriage?

1. Infidelity

2. Adultery

3. Separation

4. Divorce

The correct answer is: Adultery

The term that describes when a spouse engages in sexual relations outside of marriage is "adultery." Adultery specifically refers to voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their spouse. This act is often viewed as a breach of the marital contract and can have significant implications in legal contexts, particularly in divorce proceedings and custody battles. Infidelity is a broader term that encompasses any form of unfaithfulness in a romantic relationship, which may include emotional relationships without sexual contact. While infidelity can include adultery, it is not limited to it, making "adultery" the more precise term for sexual relations outside of marriage. Separation refers to a situation where spouses live apart while still legally married, and divorce is the legal dissolution of the marriage itself. Neither of these terms directly relates to the act of engaging in sexual relations outside of marriage. Thus, "adultery" is the most accurate choice for describing that specific behavior.