What type of contract is characterized by a take-it-or-leave-it offer from a more powerful party?

An adhesion contract is characterized by a take-it-or-leave-it offer from a more powerful party, typically the party with greater bargaining power, such as an insurance company or a large corporation. This type of contract is often pre-drafted and presented to the weaker party, who has little to no ability to negotiate the terms. The essence of an adhesion contract lies in its one-sided nature, where acceptance of the terms is the only option available to the offeree.

The other types of contracts mentioned differ significantly. An aleatory contract involves an agreement where the performance of one or both parties is contingent on an uncertain event, such as insurance policies where benefits are paid based on specific occurrences. A unilateral contract involves a promise in exchange for a specific act, requiring only one party to fulfill their promise upon completion of the act by the other. Finally, an express contract is one in which the terms are explicitly stated, either orally or in writing, rather than implied or left to interpretation.