Question

1. which branch of government is responsible for deciding whether a law is constitutional?
2. why did the founding fathers divide the federal government into three distinct branches?

(a) they wanted to make sure that the president would have unlimited power.
(b) they wanted to encourage competition among the members of the federal government.
(c) they wanted to base their system of government on the british monarchy.
(d) they wanted to ensure that there were checks and balances to prevent any one part of the government from becoming too powerful.

1. all of the following are reasons the supreme court justices are given lifetime appointments except

(a) to insulate the justices from politics so they’re free to make decisions without fear of losing their jobs.
(b) to ensure that the president doesn’t gain too much power by replacing each member of the court with justices who will vote in his favor.
(c) to ensure that no modern ideas are allowed to pollute the supreme court’s decision - making.
(d) to provide a certain level of judicial stability when the country transitions from one political party to another.
questions 295 through 297 are based on the following excerpts from two landmark supreme court decisions. the first excerpt is from plessy v. ferguson (1896), which sustained the constitutionality of louisiana’s racist jim crow law. the second excerpt is from brown v. board of education of topeka, kansas (1954), which overturned the court’s previous ruling.
we consider the underlying fallacy of the plaintiff’s argument to consist in the assumption that the enforced separation of the two races stamps the colored race with a badge of inferiority. if this be so, it is not by reason of anything found in the act, but solely because the colored race chooses to put that construction upon it.... the argument also assumes that social prejudice may be overcome by legislation, and that equal rights cannot be secured except by an enforced commingling of the two races.... if the civil and political rights of both races be equal, one cannot be inferior to the other civilly or politically. if one race be inferior to the other socially, the constitution of the united states cannot put them upon the same plane. —plessy v. ferguson
to separate them from others of similar age and qualifications solely because of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone. we conclude that, in the field of public education, the doctrine of “separate but equal” has no place. separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. —brown v. board of education of topeka, kansas

1. what was the result of the 1896 supreme court decision plessy v. ferguson?

(a) it upheld state racial segregation laws for public facilities under the doctrine of “separate but equal.”
(b) it led to the desegregation of all u.s. public buildings.
(c) it undermined the validity of the supreme court.
(d) it led to the desegregation of the u.s. public school system.

1. what was the impact of the brown v. board of education decision?

(a) it upheld state racial segregation laws for public facilities under the doctrine of “separate but equal.”
(b) it prevented racial segregation in all public places.
(c) it undermined the validity of the supreme court.
(d) it led to the desegregation of the u.s. public school system.

Explanation:

Question 292

The judicial branch (Supreme Court, federal courts) is responsible for judicial review, which determines if laws are constitutional. This is a key function of the judiciary in the U.S. government structure.

The Founding Fathers divided the federal government into three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) to establish checks and balances. This system prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful, ensuring a balance of power and protecting against tyranny. Option (D) matches this reasoning. Option (A) is incorrect as the system limits presidential power. Option (B) is incorrect as the goal isn’t competition but balance. Option (C) is incorrect as they rejected the British monarchy.

Lifetime appointments for Supreme Court justices aim to insulate them from politics (A), prevent the president from stacking the court (B), and provide judicial stability (D). Option (C) is incorrect; the purpose isn’t to prevent “modern ideas” but to ensure impartiality and stability.

Answer:

The judicial branch (specifically the Supreme Court and federal courts) is responsible for deciding whether a law is constitutional.

Question 293