Illinois Casualty Insurance State Practice Exam

What is the primary intent involved in the act of theft?

1. To acquire property without permission

2. To deprive the owner of property

3. To use property temporarily

4. To lend property to another

The correct answer is: To deprive the owner of property

The primary intent involved in the act of theft is to deprive the owner of property. Theft fundamentally focuses on the unlawful taking of someone else's belongings with the intention of permanently removing their possession or control over that property. This deprivation is what differentiates theft from other actions, such as borrowing or lending, which may not involve an intention to permanently deny the owner their rights. When considering the other options, acquiring property without permission involves an aspect of theft but does not capture the full intent of depriving the owner. Using property temporarily or lending property to another both indicate a form of permission or temporary transfer of possession, which does not align with the core definition of theft, where the goal is to permanently take and deny the rightful owner access to their property. Thus, the emphasis on deprivation illustrates the malicious intent behind theft, making it the most appropriate answer in this context.