Question

questions 7 through 9 refer to the following
the u.s. supreme court has ruled that the separation of powers is integral to the constitution not to
prevent the branches of each branch of government but to divide governmental powers among the
branches so as to keep power diffused—and thus by limited and protective of personal freedom.
...
(excerpts from a passage discussing checks and balances, including a quote about presidential power, congressional authority, and supreme court rulings)

which of the following problems of inference would best raise the problem regarding the system of checks
and balances, as indicated by the author in the passage?
a) the president agrees to lift sanctions and sign a peace treaty with another country without waiting for the approval from congress.
b) congress cuts the budget from the armed forces without getting presidential approval to prevent the president from sending troops abroad.
c) the supreme court rules on a suit brought by an interest group that legislation permitting the president to launch military strikes without congressional approval is unconstitutional.
d) the supreme court refuses to hear a case on legislation that permits the president to launch military strikes without congressional approval.
source: kaldor, hipolitano. ai war with the separation of powers. the washington times, 2016

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option against the passage's content about the system of checks and balances (focusing on presidential power and congressional/ judicial checks):

• Option A: The passage doesn't discuss peace treaties or the president acting without congressional approval for treaties. Eliminate A.
• Option B: The passage does not mention Congress cutting the budget to prevent foreign troop sending. Eliminate B.
• Option C: The passage states "the Supreme Court... would rule the executive branch to be in breach of constitutional and this popular... would bring charges... by any branch" – this aligns with the Supreme Court ruling a president's action (launching military strikes without congressional approval) unconstitutional, matching the scenario in C.
• Option D: The passage says the Supreme Court would rule the action unconstitutional, not that it refuses to hear a case. Eliminate D.

Answer:

C. The Supreme Court rules, in a suit brought by an interest group, that legislation permitting the president to launch military strikes without congressional approval is unconstitutional.