The Constitution divides authority among branches to prevent abuse of power.

The Constitution divides authority among branches to prevent abuse of power.

• A. Federalism
• B. Enumerated powers
• C. Separation of powers
• D. State control

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is separation of powers: the Constitution divides government authority among three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any one from abusing power. This structure creates checks and balances so each branch can limit the others. For example, laws are made by Congress but the President can veto, and Congress can override a veto or approve appointments and budgets. Judges interpret laws, and their tenure helps insulate them from political pressure, with courts able to strike down laws or executive actions that overstep constitutional limits. This system keeps power distributed and monitored, reducing the chance of tyranny. Other options describe different concepts: federalism concerns the division of power between national and state governments; enumerated powers are the specific powers given to the federal government; state control isn’t a term that captures how national power is organized among branches.

The main idea here is separation of powers: the Constitution divides government authority among three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any one from abusing power. This structure creates checks and balances so each branch can limit the others. For example, laws are made by Congress but the President can veto, and Congress can override a veto or approve appointments and budgets. Judges interpret laws, and their tenure helps insulate them from political pressure, with courts able to strike down laws or executive actions that overstep constitutional limits. This system keeps power distributed and monitored, reducing the chance of tyranny.

Other options describe different concepts: federalism concerns the division of power between national and state governments; enumerated powers are the specific powers given to the federal government; state control isn’t a term that captures how national power is organized among branches.