Three Branches, Checks & Balances
This short session covers the three branches or parts of government, what stops one branch from becoming too powerful, and who leads the executive branch.
Study guide › 2008 test (100 questions) › Topic 3 of 16
Three Branches, Checks & Balances
3 official civics questions from the 2008 version (100 questions) of the USCIS naturalization test — the 2008 test applies if USCIS received your Form N-400 before October 20, 2025. Topic area: american government — b: system of government. On test day the officer asks up to 10 questions from the full bank of 100 and you need 6 correct.
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Free lesson: Three Branches, Checks & Balances
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Q13. Name one branch or part of the government.
Question: Name one branch or part of the government. The accepted answer is: Congress | legislative | President | executive | the courts | judicial. Name one branch — Congress, President, or the courts; legislative, executive, judicial. One is enough — say "Congress" (or "the President").
Q14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
Question: What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? The accepted answer is: checks and balances | separation of powers. Checks and balances / separation of powers stop any one branch from getting too strong. Power is split and each branch checks the others — so no one part gets too strong.
Q15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
Question: Who is in charge of the executive branch? The accepted answer is: the President. Executive branch = the President's branch. Executive = the President's branch.
Trap: One Branch Can't Do It Alone
The trap here is assuming one branch — usually the President — runs the whole government. It does not. Power is deliberately split three ways, and checks and balances (also called separation of powers) is what stops any one part from becoming too powerful.
Ready for the Cards
Summary: the three branches or parts of government are Congress or the legislative branch, the President or the executive branch, and the courts or the judicial branch. Checks and balances, or separation of powers, stops any one branch from becoming too powerful. The President is in charge of the executive branch. Now drill the cards.
Quick Self-Check
Quick self-check before we drill the cards. Without looking, try to answer this in your head: Name one branch or part of the government. Picture your answer — then the cards will confirm it. If it came easily, great. If not, that is exactly what to watch for. Let us lock it in.
Try one question
Name one branch or part of the government.
Show accepted answers
Give one of these accepted answers:
- Congress
- legislative
- President
- executive
- the courts
- judicial
Official civics questions and answers
These published USCIS questions and accepted answers are a free reference. Continue with the free lesson above.
Name one branch or part of the government.
Give one of these accepted answers:
- Congress
- legislative
- President
- executive
- the courts
- judicial
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
Give one of these accepted answers:
- checks and balances
- separation of powers
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
Accepted answer:
- the President
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All 16 topics in the 2008 version (100 questions)
- The Constitution & the Rule of Law· FREE MODULE
- The Declaration & Your First Freedoms· FREE MODULE
- Three Branches, Checks & Balances — you are here (Free module)
- Congress: Senate & House· FREE MODULE
- The President: Elections, Powers & Cabinet
- The Courts & Federal vs State Powers
- The Questions That Change (your officials)
- Rights & Responsibilities of Citizens
- Civic Duties: Vote, Taxes, Selective Service
- Colonial America & Independence
- The Constitution's Birth & the Founders
- The 1800s: Louisiana, Civil War & Lincoln
- The 1900s: World Wars & the Cold War
- Civil Rights, 9/11 & American Peoples
- American Geography
- Flag, Anthem & Holidays