Texas A&M University (TAMU) POLS206 American National Government Exam 1 Practice Exam

Slander specifically refers to false spoken statements that can harm a person's reputation. In the context of defamation law, slander involves verbal communication that is untrue and damaging. To qualify as slander, the statement must not only be false but also made with a degree of fault—this means that the speaker knew the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.

The other options do not fit this definition. A false written statement is known as libel, not slander. A true spoken statement cannot be considered defamatory since it does not misrepresent the facts. Similarly, a true written statement would also not be defamatory as it accurately represents the truth. Thus, the choice that accurately captures the essence of slander is the one that describes false spoken statements.