Question

which statement best describes the main role of the judicial branch?
a. to create and pass new laws
b. to carry out and enforce laws
c. to explain and interpret the meaning of laws
d. to collect taxes and make budgets

3
which of these best explains the difference between state courts and federal courts?
a. state courts only hear criminal cases, and federal courts only hear civil cases.
b. federal courts handle cases involving national laws, while state courts handle cases involving state laws.
c. state courts can overrule federal courts if they disagree.
d. federal courts deal only with local issues, while state courts handle national ones.

Explanation:

• For the first question:
• The legislative branch creates and passes new laws (so A is wrong).
• The executive branch carries out and enforces laws (so B is wrong).
• The judicial branch's main role is to explain and interpret the meaning of laws (so C is correct).
• Collecting taxes and making budgets is usually part of the executive or legislative (depending on the system) but not the judicial (so D is wrong).
• For the second question:
• State courts hear both criminal and civil cases (so A is wrong).
• Federal courts handle cases involving national laws (like constitutional issues, federal statutes), and state courts handle cases involving state laws (so B is correct).
• State courts cannot overrule federal courts (so C is wrong).
• Federal courts deal with national - level issues (related to federal law), not local (so D is wrong).

Answer:

1. C. To explain and interpret the meaning of laws
2. B. Federal courts handle cases involving national laws, while state courts handle cases involving state laws.