Multistate Bar Examination Practice Question

Under Federal Rule of Evidence 611(b), cross-examination should not go beyond (1) the subject matter covered on direct examination and (2) matters affecting the witness's credibility (such as bias, perception, memory, and truthfulness). The court may, in its discretion, allow inquiry into additional matters, but the ordinary rule is limited to these two areas. Therefore, the best description is "topics discussed during direct examination, including questions about credibility."

The other statements are incorrect:

• "Any topics relevant to the main issues in the case" reflects the wide-open approach used in some jurisdictions but not under the FRE.
• "Topics expected to generate meaningful testimony" is vague and ignores the rule's specific limits.
• "Bias-related topics relevant to the witness's testimony" mentions only one category of credibility inquiries and omits the allowance to explore the subject matter of direct examination, so it is incomplete.