The Federal Government: Structure, Powers, and Responsibilities

Question 1

Which power is granted exclusively to the federal government by the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Establishing public schools

Answer

Setting highway speed limits

Answer

Issuing marriage licenses

Question 2

Which branch of the federal government is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the Constitution in specific cases?

Accepted Answer

Judicial Branch

Answer

Executive Branch

Answer

Legislative Branch

Answer

Bureaucracy

Question 3

What is a primary responsibility of the executive branch in the federal government?

Accepted Answer

Carrying out and enforcing laws

Answer

Creating laws

Answer

Deciding legal cases

Answer

Ratifying treaties with other countries

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT one of the three branches of the federal government?

Accepted Answer

The Department of Agriculture

Answer

Executive Branch

Answer

Judicial Branch

Answer

Legislative Branch

Question 5

Which of the following is **not** a power that the Constitution **specifically grants** to the federal government?

Accepted Answer

To establish local governments

Answer

To declare war

Answer

To regulate interstate commerce

Answer

To establish a national bank

Question 6

According to the U.S. Constitution, which power is solely granted to the federal government?

Accepted Answer

Control interstate trade

Answer

Create local police departments

Answer

Set curriculum for schools

Answer

Issue marriage certificates

Question 7

In the United States, which of these powers can be shared by both the national government and the governments of individual states?

Accepted Answer

Establishing and maintaining schools

Accepted Answer

Collecting taxes

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Regulating trade between states

Question 8

In the U.S. federal government, which branch is primarily responsible for making and approving new laws?

Accepted Answer

Legislative Branch, including the Senate and House of Representatives

Answer

Executive Branch, led by the President

Answer

Judicial Branch, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower courts

Answer

Federal Reserve, an independent agency

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT one of the three main branches of the U.S. federal government?

Accepted Answer

Diplomatic

Answer

Executive

Answer

Legislative

Answer

Judicial

Question 10

In a federal system, which power is typically NOT granted to the federal government?

Accepted Answer

Setting speed limits

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Coining money

Answer

Regulating interstate commerce

Question 11

Under the division of powers in the Constitution, which responsibility is NOT given to the federal government?

Accepted Answer

Running public schools

Answer

Regulating trade between states

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Maintaining the military

Question 12

What is the name of the highest court in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

Court of Appeals

Answer

District Court

Answer

State Supreme Court

Question 13

According to the Constitution, which action is NOT within the powers of the federal government?

Accepted Answer

Establishing an official religion

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Regulating trade between states

Answer

Creating a national bank

Question 14

Under the separation of powers principle in the US Constitution, which branch of government has the power to review laws passed by Congress and determine if they align with the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Judicial Branch

Answer

Legislative Branch

Answer

Executive Branch

Answer

Department of Justice

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a branch of the federal government in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Administrative Branch

Answer

Executive Branch

Answer

Judicial Branch

Answer

Legislative Branch

Question 16

Under the Constitution, which action is NOT a power granted to the federal government?

Accepted Answer

Establishing a national health care system

Answer

Establishing a uniform currency

Answer

Regulating international trade

Answer

Maintaining a military force

Question 17

Which power is NOT granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Regulating trade within a state

Answer

Regulating trade between states

Answer

Printing money

Answer

Declaring war

Question 18

In the U.S. system of checks and balances, what is the main role of the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

Review and overturn laws made by Congress

Answer

Declare war on other countries

Answer

Appoint leaders to the executive branch

Answer

Control interest rates and the nation's money

Question 19

In the U.S. government, which branch is responsible for explaining laws and deciding if they follow the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Judicial

Answer

Executive

Answer

Legislative

Question 20

Which of the following is not one of the three distinct branches of the U.S. federal government?

Accepted Answer

Administrative

Answer

Legislative

Answer

Executive

Answer

Judicial

Question 21

Which fundamental principle underpins the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Limited government with defined powers

Answer

Unrestricted government authority

Answer

Dominance of the majority without limits

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT one of the three distinct branches of the federal government of the United States?

Accepted Answer

Budgetary Branch

Answer

Legislative Branch

Answer

Judicial Branch

Answer

Executive Branch

Question 23

Under the U.S. Constitution, which branch of government has the sole power to declare war?

Accepted Answer

Legislative Branch

Answer

Executive Branch

Answer

Judicial Branch

Question 24

What document is the highest law in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Constitution

Answer

Declaration of Independence

Answer

Bill of Rights

Answer

Articles of Confederation

Question 25

What is the highest court in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

District Court

Answer

Court of Appeals

Answer

State Supreme Court

Question 26

Which branch of the federal government is responsible for interpreting the laws?

Accepted Answer

Judicial

Answer

Executive

Answer

Legislative

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a branch of the federal government?

Accepted Answer

Department of Transportation

Answer

Legislative Branch

Answer

Executive Branch

Answer

Judicial Branch

Question 28

Under the principle of separation of powers, which branch of the US federal government is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and applying its principles to specific cases?

Accepted Answer

Judicial Branch

Answer

Executive Branch

Answer

Legislative Branch

Answer

Bureaucracy

Question 29

Which three branches make up the federal government, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Executive, Legislative, Judicial

Answer

Executive, Administrative, Judicial

Answer

Legislative, Judicial, Administrative

Answer

Executive, Legislative, Administrative

Question 30

Which power is solely given to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Managing foreign affairs

Answer

Setting a minimum wage

Answer

Offering education to citizens

Question 31

In the United States, which level of government is responsible for education?

Accepted Answer

State government

Answer

Federal government

Answer

Local government

Question 32

Which branch of the U.S. government is responsible for creating laws?

Accepted Answer

Legislative Branch

Answer

Executive Branch

Answer

Judicial Branch

Answer

Bureaucracy

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a power specifically granted to the federal government in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Form state and local governments

Answer

Regulate trade with other countries

Answer

Create a postal system

Answer

Protect intellectual property

Question 34

Which branch of the U.S. federal government is responsible for carrying out laws?

Accepted Answer

Executive branch

Answer

Legislative branch

Answer

Judicial branch

Question 35

In the U.S. government, which branch has the authority to create new laws?

Accepted Answer

Legislative

Answer

Executive

Answer

Judicial

Answer

Administrative

Question 36

Which principle forms the basis of the U.S. government, stating that the government's authority comes from the consent of the people it governs?

Accepted Answer

Popular Sovereignty

Answer

Limited Government

Answer

Checks and Balances

Answer

Separation of Powers

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT one of the three branches of the federal government?

Accepted Answer

Administrative

Answer

Legislative

Answer

Executive

Answer

Judicial

Question 38

Which fundamental principle of the U.S. Constitution divides the powers of government among different branches?

Accepted Answer

The government's authority is divided among different branches.

Answer

The government has unlimited power over the people.

Answer

Individual rights are restricted by the government.

Answer

The government requires the consent of the people to act.

Question 39

According to the U.S. Constitution, the federal government is divided into three main branches. Which are they?

Accepted Answer

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

Answer

Legislative, Executive, and Administrative

Answer

Judicial, Executive, and Administrative

Answer

Administrative, Legislative, and Judicial

Question 40

How does the principle of separation of powers distribute authority within the U.S. federal government?

Accepted Answer

To balance power and prevent any one branch from dominating

Answer

Equally among all three branches

Answer

With the executive branch having the most authority

Answer

With the judicial branch solely responsible for making laws

Question 41

Which of the following is not one of the three branches of the federal government?

Accepted Answer

Administrative

Answer

Legislative

Answer

Executive

Answer

Judicial

Question 42

Which principle ensures that each branch of the U.S. government has limited powers to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful?

Accepted Answer

Checks and balances

Answer

Federalism

Answer

Judicial review

Answer

Popular sovereignty

Question 43

Which of the following is **not** a power granted to the federal government by the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Providing public education

Answer

Regulating interstate commerce

Answer

Creating a national bank

Answer

Declaring war

Question 44

Which branch of the U.S. government is responsible for explaining the meaning of the country's laws?

Accepted Answer

Judicial Branch

Answer

Executive Branch

Answer

Legislative Branch

Answer

Bureaucratic Branch

Question 45

What was the main reason for writing the Declaration of Independence?

Accepted Answer

To state the ideas of human rights and self-rule

Answer

To set up the federal government

Answer

To decide the borders of the United States

Question 46

In the federal government, how are powers distributed among the branches?

Accepted Answer

Powers are divided and shared among the branches, with checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Answer

Each branch has complete control over the others.

Answer

All powers are concentrated in one branch for efficiency.

Answer

Each branch operates independently of the others.

Question 47

What is the federal government's main duty in managing immigration?

Accepted Answer

Enforce immigration laws and protect borders

Answer

Offer financial aid to immigrants and refugees

Answer

Teach immigrants about American culture and values

Question 48

In the U.S. federal system, how is power shared between the national and state governments?

Accepted Answer

The national government gives some powers to state governments but keeps the final say in case of conflicts.

Answer

Each level of government has its own exclusive powers, with no overlap or sharing.

Answer

State governments have the power to reject laws made by the national government.

Answer

The national government cannot make laws that affect trade between states.

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT a method used by the federal government to improve healthcare access for all citizens?

Accepted Answer

Directly controlling the number of doctors and healthcare professionals in the country

Answer

Providing financial aid for health insurance premiums to low-income families

Answer

Setting and enforcing healthcare industry regulations to ensure quality and affordability

Answer

Partnering with private health insurance companies to increase coverage

Question 50

Which branch of the federal government is responsible for creating legislation?

Accepted Answer

Legislative

Answer

Executive

Answer

Judicial

Question 51

What is the foundational document of the United States government that establishes its principles and framework?

Accepted Answer

Constitution

Answer

Declaration of Independence

Answer

Bill of Rights

Question 52

Who leads the executive branch of the federal government?

Accepted Answer

President

Answer

Chief Justice

Answer

Speaker of the House

Question 53

Which amendment to the Constitution protects the freedom to express oneself, including through speech?

Accepted Answer

First

Answer

Second

Answer

Fourth

Question 54

What is the primary responsibility of the federal government in regulating economic activity across different states in the country?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring interstate commerce

Answer

Establishing speed limits

Answer

Issuing marriage licenses

Question 55

How many individuals serve as justices on the Supreme Court of the United States?

Accepted Answer

9

Answer

7

Answer

11

Question 56

Who has the authority to appoint federal judges?

Accepted Answer

The President

Answer

Congress

Answer

The Supreme Court

Question 57

Which principle of the United States government distributes power among different branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful?

Accepted Answer

Separation of powers

Answer

Checks and balances

Answer

Popular sovereignty

Question 58

At what regular interval are elections held for members of the House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

Every two years

Answer

Annually

Answer

Every four years

Question 59

How does intellectual property law support innovation?

Accepted Answer

Encourages investment in research and development

Answer

Limits competition in the marketplace

Answer

Lowers prices for consumers

Question 60

How does the federal government balance its duty to protect personal information with other important concerns?

Accepted Answer

The federal government weighs other important concerns, like national security, when protecting personal information.

Answer

The federal government always puts protecting personal information first.

Answer

The federal government only has to protect personal information if the law says it must.

Question 61

According to the principle of federalism, how is the responsibility for environmental protection shared between the federal and state governments?

Accepted Answer

Federalism allows both federal and state governments to create their own environmental regulations, which can lead to differences.

Answer

Environmental protection is exclusively controlled by the federal government.

Answer

Federalism prohibits state governments from enacting environmental regulations.

Answer

Federalism requires environmental regulations to be approved by both the federal and state governments.

Question 62

How do the federal government's policies that deal with other countries (foreign policies) and policies that deal with the country itself (domestic policies) impact each other?

Accepted Answer

Domestic policies can influence a country's economy and military, which then affects foreign policy decisions.

Accepted Answer

Foreign policy choices, like alliances and trade deals, can affect the economy and social policies within a country.

Answer

Domestic policies have no effect on foreign policy, and vice versa.

Answer

Foreign policy alone determines domestic policies, while domestic policies have no impact on foreign policy.

Question 63

How has the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution impacted the power balance between the federal government and individual states?

Accepted Answer

Generally, it has strengthened federal power compared to the states.

Answer

It has consistently supported states' rights and restricted federal authority.

Answer

It has set up a clear and unchanging division of powers between the federal and state governments.

Answer

It has had no significant effect on the relationship between the federal government and the states.

Question 64

Which type of intergovernmental relations involves different levels of government working together to solve problems?

Accepted Answer

Cooperative federalism

Answer

Dual federalism

Answer

Marble cake federalism