Responsive pleadings are pleadings that respond to or defend against a claim?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

Responsive pleadings are pleadings that respond to a claim. After a plaintiff files a complaint, the defendant must respond within the allowed time. The main responsive pleading is the answer, where the defendant admits or denies each factual allegation and asserts defenses. It can also raise affirmative defenses and, if a counterclaim is involved, plead that counterclaim as well. In some systems, a pre-answer motion to challenge the claim (like a motion to dismiss) serves to respond to the complaint before an answer is filed, but the core purpose remains addressing the plaintiff’s claim. So the statement is true.